Becker Vineyards Announces New General Manager

Becker Vineyards is proud to announce the appointment of Patrick Connelly as General Manager. Patrick will team with the Becker family in leading their venerable Texas Hill Country winery and brand through the next great generation of growth and success. Born and raised in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, Patrick’s career in the wine business has included management of all facets of many of the country’s greatest wineries. He is often quoted as saying, “Robert Mondavi taught me the soul of the wine business, and Jess Jackson taught me how to run one like a business.”

Beginning as a teenager working for the Mondavi family and winery, he then managed Direct to Consumer (DtC) efforts for Clos Pegase and Pine Ridge Wineries before becoming General Manager for Jackson Family Wines, heading wineries such as Hartford Family, Lokoya, Cardinale, Matanzas Creek, Verite, Arrowood, Cambria, and Byron wineries over 11 years. Since then, Patrick has served as either general manager or consultant for Penner Ash Wine Cellars in Oregon, Martinelli Winery in Russian River, and Quixote Winery in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. In addition to these roles, Patrick served on the steering committee for the Napa Valley Wine Auction for six years, as well as providing non-profit consulting for an array of other causes.

“For years, I’ve said that the Becker family reminds me of the Mondavi family in California, innovating and driving not only their own winery but doing the same for the entire wine industry of their home state,” said Patrick enthusiastically. “I could not imagine a greater honor, nor deployment of my experience, than to partner with this wonderful family for the next great chapter of Becker Vineyards!”

The Becker Vineyards’ previous general manager Bret Perrenoud left to start his own business. He had begun as general manager in 2006 but had also worked several harvests and winery constructions projects at Becker Vineyards prior to his general manager role. Becker Vineyards is sad to see him leave but wishes him much success with his new endeavors.

About Becker Vineyards:

Becker Vineyards was begun in 1992 by Dr. Richard Becker and his late wife Bunny, and sons Will and Joe, when looking for a historic log cabin to renovate as a weekend place to stay. Due to their love of gardening and wine, they decided to plant a commercial vineyard and later, a small winery. They were the first to commercially produce Viognier and Malbec in Texas. Last year in 2020, they bottled 109,000 cases of wine. They have 56 acres under grape cultivation at the winery and are also the largest purchaser of premium Texas grapes in the state of Texas. Their wines have been served at three Governor’s Dinners at The White House; served at 10 James Beard House Dinners in New York, NY; featured in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Bon Appetit.

On the vineyard and winery estate 11 miles east of Fredericksburg off U. S. Hwy 290 is the Winery Tasting Room, Lavender Haus Reception Hall, lavender field, and zinnia field, and Barrel Chai for Wine Club. The Beckers also have an additional Tasting Room on Main Street in Fredericksburg.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or 830-644-2681 x 302. Becker Vineyards can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and www.beckervineyards.com.