Who we are
Our philosophy centers on versatile, non-manipulative winemaking that honors the vineyard’s voice, letting the distinct personality of each vineyard and vintage emerge naturally.
Winemaking approach
Our philosophy centers on versatile, non-manipulative winemaking that honors the vineyard’s voice. We provide meticulous attention to detail while adapting to any winemaking style or protocol, from 1-ton ferments to full truckloads.
Sustainability: We adhere to environmentally-conscious practices throughout the production process, from water conservation to energy efficiency.
Make it your own: Whether you want to be hands-on during harvest or prefer to let our team handle everything, we adapt to what you want. We accommodate everything from small ferments (1.0-1.5 tons) to full-truckload ferments.
Our team
Jeremy Leffert, Director of Winemaking
With close to twenty vintages under his belt and extensive consulting experience throughout Paso Robles, Jeremy brings deep expertise in Central Coast winemaking. With every harvest, he seeks to shepherd the fruit that nature gives so that each wine authentically represents its vineyard origins. Jeremy pursued graduate studies in Agriculture and Crop Science with a specialization in Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Matt Ortman, Operations Manager
Bringing 15 years of winemaking experience across multiple brands and corporate facilities, Matt combines top-to-bottom industry knowledge with plenty of operational insight. His background in construction management and experience as a custom crush client provides valuable perspective on efficiency and client needs. Specifically, Matt focuses on ensuring the winemaking team has optimal tools and resources while maintaining competitive pricing.
Emma Garcia, Enologist
A Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture graduate whose passion for fermentation sciences led her from harvest lab technician to full-time enologist, Emma manages laboratory operations and quality control protocols while collaborating with Fortress Custom Crush’s diverse client base. Her scientific approach ensures consistent quality across all production.
Octavio Barrera, Cellar Master
Beginning his winemaking journey at Bonny Doon Vineyard alongside family members, Octavio refined his cellar expertise over a decade at Ancient Peaks Winery before joining Jeremy’s team in 2017. His promotion to Cellar Master reflects his technical mastery and leadership in creating a culture of precision and respect in wine production.
48 wines scoring 94+ points from top critics (2017-2024)
92% of all wines scoring 91+ points since 2017
High marks from Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Enthusiast, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and The Tasting Panel