Benjamin's career began in 2004, working in the wine lab for R.H. Phillips. Having earned a degree in biochemistry, the lab was the perfect outlet for Ben to engage in scientific practice while also utilizing his palate. This evolved to the position of Assistant Winemaker for the largest estate Chardonnay producer in California. Always inquisitive, by 2008 he decided to attend UC Davis for Viticulture & Enology trying to solve more of the mysteries of winemaking. 

Fresh out of his master’s program, Ben landed a job as an intern at Seavey Vineyard. In the interview Philippe Melka mentioned their vineyard manager was retiring and Ben knew he would earn that role with his strong work ethic- but kept that confidence to himself! He wore all the hats and ultimately landed the Assistant Winemaker & Vineyard Manager position. In 2014, Ben left Seavey to take the role of Associate Winemaker at Checkerboard where he worked under the tutelage of Martha McClellan. Having landed what he would describe as his “dream job”, Ben suffered a debilitating back injury that made cellar work almost impossible. It was in this moment, when he faced an incredible impasse, that Vidi Vitis was born. 

Ben left the cellar to work for Walsh Vineyard Management, and he remains there today as the Director of Viticulture. This new access to thoughtfully farmed vineyards opened the door to a proprietary brand, and Ben seized it!

He makes two labels: Vidi Vitis is the flagship, focused on the Old Federal Vineyard, and Sheepish is a fun- but seriously delicious- take on ripe fruit from the Carneros. All the wines are single vineyard expressions of place, unfined and unfiltered.