Meet Our Team
The Solomon Hills Team
From the moment the Miller Family identified the potential for Solomon Hills Vineyard, this site has been shaped by the passion, talent and standard for excellence that our winemakers share. Their knowledge and commitment has resulted in the critically acclaimed Chardonnay & Pinot Noir that Solomon Hills is now known for.
Winemaker
Anthony Avila
After joining the Solomon Hills and Bien Nacido family in 2013, Anthony swiftly began to leave his mark on our acclaimed estate wines from both vineyards. His talent for winemaking grew from a passion for fine food and wine that he developed while working his way through school at Cal Poly. This passion soon took him around the world, where he spent years harvesting grapes and honing his winemaking skills in California, New Zealand and Argentina. Now an integral part of both Solomon Hills and Bien Nacido, Anthony leads our winemaking team, where he continues our long-standing tradition of crafting exceptional small-lot, high quality and terroir-driven wines.
Vineyard Manager
Greg Gonzalez
Greg Gonzalez’s love for farming began on his family’s 10-acre hazelnut farm in Oregon. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, focusing on Geographic Information Systems, with a minor in Earth Systems, Science, Technology, and Policy from California State University Monterey Bay. Greg’s distinguished career includes leadership roles as Director of Vineyard Operations at Scheid, Foley Family Wines, and Coast Vineyard Care Associates. With hands-on experience growing over 38 grape varieties and 21 clones of Pinot Noir, Greg’s deep expertise will continue to shape Bien Nacido’s legacy as one of California’s most celebrated vineyards.
Vineyard Manager
Chris Hammell
Wine & Spirits Magazine’s 2008 Grower of the Year, Chris Hammell has spent his career building an expertise in vineyard management. Growing up in Arroyo Grande, Chris’ passion for vineyards and wine began at Cal Poly, where he earned a degree in Agribusiness. Before tending the vines at both Solomon Hills and Bien Nacido Vineyards, Chris gained valuable experience at Santa Maria’s Cambria Vineyards and David Bruce Winery, where he worked as Vineyard Manager and Director of Vineyard Operations. As Vineyard Manager overseeing both Solomon Hills and Bien Nacido Vineyards, Chris’ invaluable expertise has resulted in consistent and exceptional harvests each year, furthering these vineyards’ standing as some of the most significant in the Santa Maria Valley and Central Coast at large.
Proprietors
Nicholas, Stephen, & Marshall Miller
