Rick Fraga is currently enjoying his time performing wine education for Madrigal Family
Vineyards and has been working over 30 years in the wine industry. His wine experience
includes hospitality, education, Management, cellar work and sales for wineries
including Greenwood Ridge, Dutcher Crossing, Martinelli, Robert Young, Wilson Winery,
Bluerock and now Madrigal! Additionally, he has completed programs in Wine Business,
Marketing, Evaluation and Service at Santa Rosa JC, he continues to work with
the Wine Studies program at the JC as a guest lecturer.
Leading to this current segment of his life, Rick had a 24-year career in Telecommunications Management, retiring from AT&T in 2005. His telecom career followed three years in the US army, then earning his college degrees at CSU, Chico.
Over the years Rick has taken on the challenge of wine writing, assisting thewine education
program at Santa Rosa Junior College and wine judging. Rick has been a professional
wine judge since 2011, participating in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine
Competition, The Rose Competition, the Lake County Wine Competition, Pacific Rim
Wine Competition, Alameda County Wine Competition and the Sonoma County Harvest
Fair.
Rick is a proud father of three grown sons and grandfather to five beautiful little girls.
On his non wine related days you can find him, hiking, traveling, or just catching up with
his family and friends.
Rick believes that “Life is too short to drink bad wine”! His mission is not only not only
trying to find great wines, but encouraging other to do the same.
If you would like to contact Rick he can be reached at gatewaytowine@gmail.com.