Our Team
Dr. Stephen Krebs, Program Coordinator and Vineyard Manager
Dr. Krebs runs the viticulture and winery technology program at Napa Valley College. As part of his duties, he teaches viticulture classes and manages the student vineyard. He holds a doctorate, master of science and bachelor of science from the University of California at Davis, all focusing on viticulture. He has also served as viticulturist and manager for Sunny Slope Ranch in Glen Ellen, Matanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa, and Mayacamas Vineyards in Napa. Stephen performed field research on grape varieties in Europe and California for author Jancis Robinson’s book Vines, Grapes and Wine.
Tom Muscatine, Assistant Vineyard Manager/Instructional Assistant
Tom Muscatine is currently the Assistant Vineyard Manager and Instructional Assistant for Dr. Stephen Krebs, Program Coordinator for Viticulture and Winery Technology at Napa Valley College. Tom is also the winemaker and vineyard manager for his family winery, Muscatine Vineyard, located in Soda Canyon in Napa.
Tom moved to Napa Valley from Los Angeles in 2002. His prior endeavors included recording engineer, high school English teacher, scuba instructor in Jamaica, stage manager and assistant photographer in Manhattan. However, he has always loved nature and farming and has finally found his true calling. Tom feels like he can finally rest his hat on his new career in Viticulture.
Tom lives in Soda Canyon with his wife, Lauren, and 2-year-old daughter, Lavender.
Bryan Avila, Winery Technology Instructor and Winemaker
Bryan Avila is currently the Instructor, Winemaker and Winery Manager for Napa Valley College. He holds a bachelor of science in Fermentation Science from the University of California at Davis. Following his passion for the technical aspects of winemaking he landed a job at E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto where he worked as their Research Winemaker. Over 1,000 experimental fermentations later and after leading the design, construction and start-up of the Livingston Pilot Winery he moved his family to the North Coast to become the Consulting Enologist for Vinquiry, in Windsor. With a strong interest in working with people and helping them find solutions to technical problems he became an independent Winemaking Consultant and Technical Advisor for a number of start-up companies including Phyterra yeast. This is when he met Dr. Stephen Krebs who made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
Greg Siewert, Assistant Winemaker/Instructional Assistant
Greg's winemaking career started at Storybook Mountain in 1997. Since his first harvest, his passion for winemaking has evolved into his profession. His experience encompasses a wide variety of locales including Napa Valley, the Russian River Valley, and New Zealand. Greg's previous positions include cellar woker and lab technician for premium wineries including Von Strasser, Martinelli, Arista, Scott Harvey Wines, and assistant winemaker for Folie a Deux. With an eye to enhancing his winemaking skills, Greg entered the Viticulture and Winery Technology program at Napa Valley College where he earned his Associate's Degree. Greg also holds a B.S. in Communications from the University of Wisconsin. In 2007, he eagerly joined the VWT department as the Assistant Winemaker/Instructional Assistant.
2010 Winery Team
