About Us

Genevieve Llerena entered the wine industry in 1997 when she helped found and develop Chateau Felice Winery in Sonoma County. In 2000 she and her husband started Viña de la Cruz as both a small winery and as a winery consulting company. Genevieve has been working as a consulting winemaker since 2001. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Winemaking for Viña de la Cruz. In 2005 Viña de la Cruz developed the Iridesse brand for us both as a wine label and changed the consulting name to Iridesse.

With her help Chateau Felice went from a start-up winery to an award winning winery making over 7000 cases per year. She won many awards while making the wines for Chateau Felice Winery. While working with Chateau Felice in 1997 – 2000 she helped manage the planting of the vineyards, and development of the winery before taking on the mantle of Winemaker. She was involved in all aspects of the winery from harvest to the development of a tasting room and nationwide distribution. Genevieve holds an MBA from Chapman University as well as an Engineering degree from UC Davis.

Patrick Llerena has spent the past twelve years in California’s wine industry. He is currently the President and a winemaker for Viña de la Cruz, Inc. He has worked with ultra-premium brands in Napa such as Clos Pegase, Silverado Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, and Dominus Estate. His experience in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations – as well as in Winemaking – helped launch Chateau Felice Winery, a small family estate winery in the Chalk Hill appellation of Sonoma County. Besides consulting as part of the winemaking team, he developed the national sales distribution network that has made Chateau Felice one of the rising stars in on-premise markets in several states. Now as a Winemaker for Iridesse Wines, his cutting-edge wines are a part of the Viña de la Cruz portfolio.