Our Family

Luciana Turkovich

Winemaker/Owner

Luciana was born and raised in Argentina’s famous wine region, Mendoza. She has a rich history of wine in her family. Her mother operates her family’s small vineyard and her father, Norberto Moreno, has been a successful Winemaker for the last 45 years. Luciana graduated in 2010 in Food Science with a specialization in Wine, Wine Microbiology and Chemistry from the oldest enological university in all of the Americas, the University of Don Bosco in Mendoza, Argentina. Luciana has had the opportunity to work with a number of prestigious wineries in Argentina, including: Chandon Mendoza, Clos de los Sietes, Terrazas, La Septima, Mumm Mendoza, Bodegas Bianchi, Navarro Correas, and San Telmo. In 2009 she worked for Coreole Vineyards, a small family owned winery in MacLaren Vale, South Australia. Following her stint down under, Luciana moved to California to work for Silver Oak. In the early stages of Turkovich Family Wines, Luciana split her time between Napa and Winters, helping to establish the young winery with her husband, Chris. In 2012, she left Silver Oak to focus on Turkovich Family Wines full-time. Currently, Luciana is the head winemaker for Turkovich Family Wines where she focuses on crafting the best wines possible in Winters’ unique terroir.

Chris Turkovich

Farmer/Winemaker/Owner

Chris is the middle boy in the Turkovich family. He attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, like the rest of his family, and holds a degree in Wine & Viticulture. Chris has worked at some of the world’s most prestigious wineries. This list includes Veramonte in Chile, Chapel Hill Winery in Australia, and Kim Crawford in New Zealand. He has also worked more locally at Edna Valley Vineyards in San Luis Obispo and RH Phillips in the Dunnigan Hills. This exposure to various regions and grape varieties allows Chris to bring a truly unique flair to his winemaking style. His responsibilities include working on the Button & Turkovich Ranch as a field supervisor and vineyard manager as well as making wine alongside his wife for Turkovich Family Wines. His hobbies include traveling, hunting, running, skiing, cycling and participating in triathlons.

Danny Turkovich

Cheesemaker

Danny is the youngest Turkovich son and the last Cal Poly graduate in the family tradition. Though he holds a degree in Wine Business, Danny possesses a passion for cheese making which he developed while working for three years at the Cal Poly Creamery. Danny is the founder of the Winter’s Cheese Company and is also a skilled wine cellar assistant due to his work experience in wineries around California and Australia. His hobbies, like his brothers, are cycling, hunting & fishing.

Joanie Turkovich — Mom/Owner

Prior to marrying Tony, Joanie had no previous agricultural exposure. She was raised in Marin County, CA and graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Nutrition.  After college, Joanie went to work as a Registered Dietitian for a hospital and then as a Consultant in several skilled nursing facilities. Before motherhood intervened, Joanie enjoyed owning horses & pleasure riding; now she fills her time working and decorating the tasting room.

Tony Turkovich — Father/Farmer/Owner

Tony has been a sustainable farmer in Yolo County for over 35 years. He received his BA in agricultural engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and completed an MBA at USC before returning to Winters to work for the Button Family on their farm. Since then, Tony has managed the farming operation at Button & Turkovich Ranch which produces crops such as tomatoes, alfalfa, sunflowers, prunes and oranges, and now, wine grapes. He is constantly working but when he finds time for a break, he enjoys hiking and fly fishing.

Norberto Moreno — Argentine Winemaker

For the last 25 years Luciana’s father, Norberto, has specialized in the production of sparkling wine in Argentina. Currently, Luciana and Norberto produce three different sparkling wines under the Turkovich Family Wines brand. Norberto owns his own sparkling wine company and acts as a wine consultant for many different Argentinean and Uruguayan wineries.