from the Russian River Valley.  Cécile Lemerle-Derbès, the winemaker, grew up in the wine industry.  Cécile was born and raised in Champagne, where she is still involved in the growing of grapes.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Viticulture in 1986 and her Master’s degree in Enology in 1990 at the University of Reims, in the heart of Champagne.  She then took business classes while also working at Champagne Bollinger and Champagne Jacquart.  Cécile moved to California at the end of 1991 and worked for Schug Carneros Estate Winery as Assistant Winemaker, followed by work for F. Korbel as a Research Enologist.  After a period working as Assistant Winemaker at Golan Heights Winery in Israel.   Cécile moved back to  France to be near her family. She farmed her own vineyards, taught,  and consulted.   Finding the  opportunities for  women  winemakers to belimited in France, Cécile moved back to California in spring 1998 to manage the vineyards and make wine at Opus One Winery. She started Derbès Wines in 2001 with her husband,

erbès Wines produces Chardonnays from Carneros and Russian River, as well as Pinot