Gove Celio

go back to school to study viticulture. He began his vineyard studies at Santa Rosa Junior College in 1981, and by October of that year had his first vineyard job in Kenwood. His energy and passion for the winemaking processed allowed him to concurrently manage several Sonoma Valley vineyard properties, continue home winemaking with his father, who now had access to premium quality grapes, and pursue his studies.

After five years in the Sonoma Valley, Gove moved to Howell Mountain as viticulturist for Liparita Vineyard and Cellars. It was there, while planting and tending to the vineyard, that his relationship with the Neal Family began to develop. Gove called upon Mark Neal and his father, Jack, to supply him with labor and materials. For twelve years Gove worked closely with consulting winemaker, Merry Edwards, and eventually assumed the winemaking duties as the vineyard's production grew from a few hundred cases to several thousand. His relationship with the Neal Family continued, and when Gove found himself in need of new fruit sources, he obtained ultra-premium winegrapes from vineyards under the management of Jack Neal and Son Vineyard Management. Gove has now brought his winemaking expertise to Neal Family Vineyards, where he also makes use of his extensive viticultural skills working side-by-side with Mark Neal in the vineyards.

Gove shares his passion for viticulture and knowledge of the winemaking process by participating in various industry organizations. He is a member of the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group, the Napa County Farm Bureau (of which he is a past Vice President and Director) and the American Society for Enology and Viticulture. He and his lovely wife, Elizabeth, have been happily married 23 years and in their free time enjoy pairing wine with food, biking, swimming, ocean kayaking, skiing and gardening. They have two children now in college: Laura, 21 and Colin, 19.