Sofia Rivier, born and raised in Argentina, was part of a family whose life revolved around winemaking. Her grandparents, immigrants from Switzerland, had established the family’s vineyard and winery. Growing up, viticulture was central to her life, allowing her to experience, enjoy, and learn from the natural richness of her native soil, the mountains, and the terroir.

Beginning in 2006, Sofia spent some eight years dedicating herself to a variety of learning experiences, including working in labs, cellars, and experiencing harvests. These included internships at several different wineries in Mendoza.

But this was just the beginning for her: in 2013, she earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering at Cuyo National University in Mendoza. Sofia moved to Switzerland the following year, where she completed a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from the Changins branch of the HES-SO-University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland and earned a Master of Life Sciences in Enology and Viticulture there in 2017. While in school, she had internships at wineries in Switzerland that, combined with her academic training, enabled her to have a better understanding of the European approach to winemaking. She held several technical consulting positions in Switzerland after graduating, and these positions augmented her toolkit of management skills.

Sofia undertook a new experience in 2018 when she moved to Hopland in Mendocino County to undertake a project with winemaker Ettore Biraghi. She is Director of Wine Production for Olivino, a certified organic facility that produces olive oil in addition to wine. Its brands include Terra Sávia and Ettore. The wineries are known for their Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot varietals.

In her position at Olivino, Sofia finds the perfect fusion of creativity and precise techniques to develop interesting wines. She has found an authentic venue to channel her grand focus: make wine at its best expression, understanding the terroir, the challenges of the seasons, applying different techniques of winemaking, and working with an excellent and dedicated group of people.

When not immersed in activities at Olivino, Sofia enjoys hiking, reading, drawing, yoga, travel, and languages—she speaks Spanish, French, and English.