The Public Eye: Dean Sylvester: Whitehall Lane Wineries

Dean is a detail-oriented winemaker who works closely with his crew in
the cellar, while keeping a watchful eye on the development of the
grapes in the vineyard. He is responsible for all winemaking as well as
overseeing the 110 acres of vineyards that Whitehall Lane owns and all
vineyards held under contract. He has been making wine in the Napa
Valley for the past 25 years and is well respected in the Napa Valley
winemaking community. He combines the experience of working with both
European and American winemakers, allowing him to marry classic
old-world style with modern winemaking techniques. Dean was born and
raised just outside of Rochester, New York. He escaped the East to
pursue a career in winemaking and enrolled at U.C. Davis. He majored in
Fermentation Science and began gaining practical winemaking experience
in Santa Cruz and Sonoma before spending 10 years as an assistant
winemaker at Newton Vineyards in St. Helena. He has also worked at
Chimney Rock Winery in Napa and Mario Perelli- Minetti Winery in St.
Helena. Dean is responsible for making the wines rated among the top
five in the World from The Wine Spectator Magazine. His focus and
attention are apparent in this wine and all of the other wines he makes
at Whitehall Lane Winery.