Carley Maierhofer
Production Enologist
Carley was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, and earned a B.S. in Food Science from North Carolina State University. During her studies, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Adelaide, Australia, where her passion for wine was sparked—particularly by a captivating sparkling Shiraz. After graduating, Carley headed west along I-40 to Napa Valley, where she landed a harvest internship at Robert Craig Winery in the Howell Mountain Appellation. Her dedication and enthusiasm impressed the winemaking team, leading to a full-time position that offered cross-training in cellar work, enology, and hospitality, all while gaining a deeper appreciation for mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.
Still eager to broaden her knowledge of the winemaking world, Carley pursued another internship in 2023 with Grove Mill Winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, where she worked on the vintage harvest. She returned to Robert Craig Winery as a Cellar Enologist, bringing with her invaluable experience from both domestic and international wine regions.
In 2024, Carley took on a new challenge as Production Enologist at Crocker & Starr Winery in St. Helena, Napa Valley. Crocker & Starr is renowned for producing some of Napa's finest Cabernet Franc, and Carley is excited to master this unique and exotic grape variety.
When she's not working in the winery, Carley enjoys exploring farmers' markets for fresh ingredients to inspire her culinary experiments, attending live music performances, and sharing great bottles of wine with friends.