Growing up in the seaside town of Pacific Grove, California, Brianne Engles had an early exposure to the world of wine when, at the age of 15, she worked at a high-end restaurant. She entered California Polytechnic State University, where she earned a B.S. in Wine and Viticulture in 2008. Brianne also received a B.S. in Oenology from Australia’s University of Adelaide in 2007 and has achieved WSET III status with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

While at Cal Poly, Brianne completed internships at Joullian Winery in the Carmel Valley, Eos Estate Winery in Paso Robles, and Duckhorn Wine Company in the Napa Valley. A year after graduating, she returned to Australia for the Fall harvest at Two Hands Wines. This was after she had accepted a position as enologist at Quintessa Winery in Napa, remaining there until early 2015, when she joined Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles as assistant winemaker. She moved to another Paso Robles winery, Tooth and Nail Winery and Rabble Wine Co., as assistant winemaker in mid-2016, and was promoted to associate winemaker there early the next year.

In August 2020, Brianne left Tooth and Nail to become the associate winemaker at Chamisal Vineyards in the Edna Valley and two years later was promoted to winemaker, the first female to lead the winemaking team in the 50-year history of the winery. She will be responsible for obtaining organic certification for the estate and continue the winery’s implementation of sustainability practices. In addition to crafting the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Chamisal, she will also be in charge of winemaking for Malene Wines, which is dedicated to producing Rosés. Her philosophy with respect to the wines is honoring the terroir from which the grapes are grown and capturing the essence of what the Central Coast brings to the fruit: sunshine, soil, and the uniqueness of each vintage.

When not working at the winery, Brianne may be found at a local Farmer’s Market, cooking for friends, hiking in the mountains, or enjoying time at the beach.