Meet the Team

Since taking over the winery from his father Ernesto in 1995, Gino has made his own mark by perfecting and crafting our Carignan wine – made from 100% Carignan varietal grapes, and our signature red blend – Maribella, as well as many others. When Gino is not crafting our wines, managing the vines, harvesting the grapes, or making improvements to the facility and wine making equipment, you will find him at home where he enjoys spending time with his wife Jill and their two sons Nick and Kevin.

We proudly welcome Nicolas Fortino into his new role as Assistant Winemaker, following closely in his father’s footsteps!

Nick graduated from Chico State with his degree in Agricultural Business and has already put the skills he’s learned straight to work, not just with winemaking, but also with remodeling the winery and guiding it in a new direction! He brings a fresh and new perspective to the business. Nick has a passion for everything he does and works extremely hard every day, no matter what the job may entail.

Though his official title is Assistant Winemaker, he does a little bit of everything around the winery, and is quickly building his business skills for the future. Next time you’re visiting us, be sure to say hello to this friendly face!

Esther is a graduate of San Jose State University and we are so excited to welcome her to our team! She has such a passion for weddings and special events, and she instantly fell in love with Fortino Winery and the family. Fusing her knowledge of events with her passion for people, she has stepped into the role of Director of Events/Marketing and hit the ground running – designing, managing, and delivering extraordinary events.  Esther is dedicated to building relationships with clients and helping them execute the event of their dreams. Her organization, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for events make her an integral part of our team. Contact Esther to discuss your wedding, private party, or corporate event.

We’re thrilled to reintroduce a familiar face to the Fortino Team family! Dawn rejoined us in May 2023, bringing her incredible passion for the wine club and her deep love for working with the Fortino family. Dawn has seamlessly stepped into her role, hitting the ground running, and has already initiated remarkable changes all around the winery. Her dedication to excellence and her warm, welcoming spirit make her the perfect point of contact for any questions about our wine club or our tasting room.

Feel free to reach out to Dawn for all your wine-related inquiries, as we continue to craft memorable experiences and exceptional wines for you.

Bertha Valenzuela is one of the most accomplished wine professionals on the Silicon Valley wine scene. She is a force to be reckoned with, spreading the word about the Santa Clara Valley, Fortino Winery and their wines, a passion of hers for 15+ years. She is active on social media, and always welcomes new followers via Instagram or Facebook.

Bertha’s mantra is flavor, fun, and friendship through wine, and this is a passion she shares with wine lovers across the Bay Area.  Her easy-going manner is the key to her success, building quite the following for Fortino’s flagship wines, introducing not only Fortino wines, but wine in general to new enthusiasts and passionate wine persons like herself.

You’ll find Bertha greeting new or vintage Fortino fans at local wine festivals, corporate events, or one of many must-attend winery events. In her down time, Bertha supports local charities, educational and community-based events. She lives her mantra of “food, family, friends, and a bottle of Fortino wine” wherever she goes.