Partners
Cindy and Jim Panek
Owners Cindy and Jim Panek met while attending the University of Michigan. Work moved the two to Northern California where they raised their three children and developed a passion for the Napa Valley and the wines produced there. In 2000 their dreams became a reality when they purchased a small vineyard just north of Saint Helena. Through wonderful partnerships and a complete replant of the property, Panek Vineyards became a producer of high-end Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Jim and Cindy’s dedication to quality is evident in every grape and every bottle of wine produced.
Nathan Panek
Nathan became a partner with Panek Vineyards in the fall of 2017 when the decision was made to expand from grape producers to a wine brand. With a background in marketing, sales, and hospitality, Nathan has helped the brand transition to produce two world-class wines. Now living in Oregon with his wife and pets, Nathan focuses on the daily business functions and mailing list member relations.
Thomas Rivers Brown
Thomas has earned his place as one of the most talented winemakers in the Napa Valley and maybe even on Planet Earth! Thomas was born in Sumter, South Carolina and attended the University of Virginia. He moved to the Napa Valley soon after graduating and started his career working for Turley Wine Cellars in 1997. He is a winemaker, focusing on high end Cabernet, for over a dozen wine brands including Schrader, Maybach, Revana, and Outpost. His wines have produced multiple perfect 100-point scores, notably "Old Sparky" by Schrader Cellars. Most impressively, TRB was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 2010 by Food & Wine and was the first American winemaker to earn 100-point scores from Wine Spectator.
After several years of working with Panek Vineyards’ grapes for Pulido-Walker wines, and for his own label, Rivers Marie, Thomas assists Panek Vineyards as their head winemaker. Panek Vineyards is honored to have Thomas crafting their wines.