Zerba Cellars

Winemaker

Doug Nierman Doug is a Washington native who grew up on a pear orchard in the upper Wenatchee Valley. His early interests in science and agriculture led him to study Tree Fruit Production (WVCC) and Biology (PLU). Later, when he became interested in growing grapes and making wine he moved his family to California where he worked at St. Francis Winery in Sonoma Valley and Napa Wine Co. in Napa Valley. After these work experiences he enrolled at the University of California, Davis, and obtained his Masters degree in enology and viticulture before moving to the Walla Walla Valley. He spent his first two years here working at Long Shadows Vintners and Pepper Bridge Winery before taking up the winemaking duties at Zerba Cellars. He views winemaking as an art that should be subtly guided and helped by science. This philosophy fits well with the artisanal winemaking and grape growing style Cecil Zerba established for Zerba Cellars with the intent to produce elegant, balanced wines that are food-friendly, approachable, and crafted with environmentally sustainable methods from grape to bottle.