Pause or Proceed – Evaluating the Future of Your Vineyard

Norm Peters

Silver Oak Cellars, California

Norm Peters
Director of Vineyard Operations
Silver Oak

Norm Peters is Director of Vineyard Operations at Silver Oak Wine Cellars, where he oversees estate farming for the portfolio—Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID Napa Valley, and Timeless Napa Valley in California, plus Prince Hill Vineyards in Oregon. Never far from a pair of dusty boots, Norm’s experience spans 24 harvests, and he’s devoted to the art and science of growing exceptional wine grapes.

He entered the wine industry on an unconventional path, leaving a career as a vice principal and educator on assignment to run a former boss’s 100-acre vineyard and winery. He went on to serve as Winemaker and then Director of Winemaking at California Cellars. At The Wine Group, he worked as a Grower Representative, purchasing fruit and managing vineyard quality across Lodi, Clarksburg, Sonoma, and Livermore while collaborating with more than 60 growers. Drawn back to the pressures and rewards of full-time farming, he became Director of Central Valley Vineyard Operations at Trinchero Family Estates (Sutter Home) for four harvests before finding his home at Silver Oak.

Norm holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Larry Bettiga

University of California Cooperative Extension, Monterey County

Larry Bettiga has served as a Viticulture Farm Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) for 41 years, primarily based in Monterey County.

In this role, he has conducted applied research and extension education programs that have benefited grape growers across Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. His work has focused on cultural practices, rootstock and clonal selection, canopy management and integrated pest management—all aimed at enhancing vine health and fruit quality. Before his appointment in Monterey, Bettiga spent six years conducting viticulture and pest management research in California’s Southern San Joaquin Valley, working with table, raisin and winegrape vineyards at the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center and Tulare County UC Cooperative Extension.

Alex Cabrera

Results Partners LLC, Oregon

While Alex grew up in the Eugene area, he proudly states he is a “Beaver Believer.” Originally a student of the biochemistry and biophysics program at Oregon State University, Alex decided to switch to the Viticulture and Enology program to pursue the science and art of grape growing and wine making. Son of an American mother and Peruvian father, his viticultural journey started in Peru, where he worked at his extended family’s pisco business, doing back-breaking work with pergola-trellised grapevines.

After graduating in 2007, Alex started his career as Vineyard Manager at Abacela, the premier producer of New World Tempranillo located in Roseburg, Oregon. He then returned to the cool climate viticulture of the Willamette Valley in 2012 as Director of Operations at Results Partners LLC. As part of a strong team of senior managers, he helped to grow the business into largest vineyard development and management company in Oregon. In 2025 Results Partners LLC was acquired and merged with Atlas Vineyard Management.

Tyler Klick

Redwood Empire Vineyard Management, California

Tyler is currently the Vice-President/Partner and Viticulturist at Redwood Empire Vineyard Management. He first joined Redwood Empire Vineyard Management in 1997 while attending U.C. Davis and became a partner in 2006. Tyler earned his B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis in 2000, as well as a B.S. in Health Science from St. Mary’s College in 1997.

Among other responsibilities, he oversees the farming of approximately 2,500 vineyard acres in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin Counties. Tyler is currently serving as the vice chair at the Sonoma County Winegrowers and has previously served on the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group for several years.

Tyler has received several awards, including Young Farmer of the Year in 2013, Excellence in Viticulture by the Sonoma County Wine Growers in 2024. Tyler also completed the pilot UC Climate Stewardship certificate program in 2021. In 2011, Tyler led Redwood Empire Vineyard Management to become the 1st third-party operator to be CSWA Sustainability Certified in CA. Tyler has also been serving on the American Vineyard Foundation board for 10 years.

Brad Petersen

Silver Oak Cellars, California

Brad Petersen brings four generations of Sonoma County farming expertise and passion to his role as vineyard manager for Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars. As vineyard manager, he manages 240 acres of premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in the Alexander Valley. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of producing winegrapes that contribute to Silver Oak’s world class Alexander Valley Cabernet. As a native of Sonoma County, Petersen spent his youth running around Silver Oak vineyards then managed by his father, Dane Petersen. These early days in the vineyard solidified Brad’s connection to farming and his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. He began working for Silver Oak in 1999 taking care of the irrigation and equipment in the vineyards working his way up to vineyard manager in 2006.

In addition to managing vineyards, Brad is an active contributor in his community having served on the Geyserville Volunteer Fire Department, Geyserville Kiwanis Club, coaching Little League Baseball and as an executive board member of the Sonoma County Winegrowers and Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair. He is currently the president of the Russian River Property Owners Association.