Peter Franus

It was the University of California at Berkeley and a degree in journalism that drew Peter Franus from Connecticut to California in the late sixties.  It was also Berkeley's proximity to Napa Valley that led to his initial intrigue with winemaking. After receiving his degree in viticulture and enology from Cal State Fresno, Peter moved to Napa in early 1980. He has been involved with grape growing and winemaking ever since.

While he was still the winemaker at Mount Veeder Winery, he launched his own Peter Franus brand in 1987. Starting with zinfandel, he added cabernet sauvignon in 1992 and sauvignon blanc in 1996.  Today his widely recognized label can be found in eighteen states as well as Canada.

In the early 1990s, he met his first Tranquilo brother, Jeff Welburn, owner of Angeles Wine Agency. Angeles continues to successfully represent his wines in southern California.  Jeff and Peter's decision (over a glass of wine) to try something a little unconventional led them to Lake County, to Jim Fore's vineyard on Cobb Mountain, and to their first Syrah in 2002.

In addition to his own wines, Peter does some consulting and winemaking for other boutique wineries. He lives with his wife, Deanne, in Napa and Sacramento. The only other activity he has done longer than winemaking is running. Look for him in the early morning running with his dog Mia through the parks and streets of Sacramento and Napa.

Ben Gillette

Ben grew up in Western Michigan and studied Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development at the University of Michigan. He almost became a scientist, but instead, after a stint working at fine dining establishments, ended up working for a Michigan wine distributor.

In the fall of 2000, he moved to California to be closer to where it was all happening. His lofty goal, to become a National Sales Manager for a winery was realized when he became the Sales and Marketing Director for Keller Estate in Sonoma County, for the next six years.

Ben knew Peter Franus from his Michigan wine distributing days and also knew Peter's original partner in Project 3000, Jeff Welburn. Tempted by something cutting edge in an exciting area that was relatively undiscovered, he left Keller Estate to become a part of Project 3000. Equally significant, he became one of the three Tranquilo brothers.  At the same time he joined the Peter Franus Wine Company, where he is responsible for their sales and marketing. 

He lives with his wife, Kendra, in Mill Valley, and if there is any spare time available, you'll find him trout fishing in the wilderness of Northern California.

Jeff Welburn

Jeff is a successful US French Importer and California Distributor who has partnered with his friends Peter and Ben to expand his horizons into making wines from the Red Hills appellation.