About The Winemakers

Born in Portugal and raised in France until the age of six, Jorge moved to the United States with his parents in 1971, settling in Yonkers, NY. He grew up observing his father and uncles working on their annual winemaking ritual each Fall. During his visits back to Portugal, Jorge always participated in harvesting grapes on his family's vineyards, an experience that he greatly looked forward to. These cherished memories of family gatherings, sometimes turned into an unofficial wine contest, now fuel his passion for the agricultural lifestyle and the art of winemaking. His excitement is palpable as he embarks on this venture alongside his cousin and winemaker, Al Carpenter, bringing a slice of his rich heritage and lifelong passion to their journey.

Growing up in a traditional American family with a father of German and Irish descent and an Italian (Calabrese) mother, his fascination with European culture—its history, cuisine, and particularly its wines—took root early on. Many summers were spent in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, with his Italian grandmother (affectionately known as 'Nanny'), Aunt Nancy, Uncle Frankie, and Rocco. There, he observed and reveled in their processes of cooking and winemaking. His later travels in Europe, particularly to Italy and Portugal, reignited those childhood passions, with wine emerging as the most poignant symbol of his youth. The realization of his lifelong aspiration to become a master winemaker has been nothing short of a fairytale.