About
“We take pride in crafting wines that express a sense of place, giving voice to the vineyards and regions in which they were grown.”
– Christi and Dave Ficeli, Owners
History
Goosecross sits in Yountville, California in the heart of the Napa Valley. The winery’s history dates back four decades and now is owned by Christi and Dave Ficeli. They fell in love with Goosecross years ago and always wanted to make it their own. Christi and Dave met while working in the wine industry in Modesto, California almost twenty years ago which started their love for wine and even more importantly, each other. When they married, they knew they wanted to eventually have a small family winery that they could pass down from one generation to the next.
Ambition and career paths took them away from wine country for many years. Once they decided to settle down, start a family, and create lasting roots, the Napa Valley was the only place for them, and Goosecross represented so much of why they love this valley. They knew the Napa Valley and Goosecross was the place they wanted to call home, their forever home.
Goosecross continues to evolve while always keeping its roots in the soil and history of the Napa Valley. The long legacy of Goosecross only serves to deepen their love of wine, dedication to hospitality, and our connection to farming the land.
The team at Goosecross has a fervent commitment to excellence, built on a foundation of hospitality. We invite you to join us for breathtaking views and memorable wines in a place where time slows down, at least for a little while.
Philosophy
Christi and Dave have a love for wine that runs through their veins and is reflected in the grapes they grow and the wines they make. They are inspired by the delicate balance and connection between the land and the winery, the grapes and the winemaker. They embody this notion, with a nod to science and a hand in art – the two qualities portrayed in the wines.
With the guiding vision and deep experience of winemaker Bill Nancarrow, they create distinct, vineyard-driven wines. From his meticulous selection of our vineyard sites to his cooperage decisions, Bill continues his legacy of producing some of the greatest wines in Napa Valley.
The farming, vines, winemaking and hospitality all come together with your tasting experience. The Tasting Room and Deck is a place to escape everyday life, sit among the vines, sample our wines, and revel in the beauty of our version of Napa Valley. This is where all the warmth and charm of the rural Napa Valley of yesterday meets the contemporary artistry, quality of winemaking, and the highest standard of hospitality. Welcome to Goosecross, Napa Valley.
Christi Ficeli, Owner
Close
Christi Coors Ficeli comes by her spirit of entrepreneurship honestly. As the great, great granddaughter of Colorado beverage pioneer, Adolph Coors, she was raised in a family that has always put a premium on realizing your dreams through vision, dedication and hard work.
Christi’s first taste of the wine business came shortly after college working for Gallo. In addition to learning the basics of production, distribution, promotion and sales in a family business environment, it was at Gallo where she also met her husband, wine industry executive, Dave Ficeli. After completing business school in 2002, a regional sales position for Christi and a new job for Dave landed them both in the Napa Valley. They immediately fell in love with the wines, foods and bounty of the region as well as the sense of family that is at the heart of Napa’s agricultural community. Subsequent jobs pulled them away from California, but Christi was determined to one day return and settle with her family in the Napa Valley.
In 2012 Christi decided to put her plan of entrepreneurship into action and discovered Napa Valley’s Goosecross Cellars – an established boutique winery
The winery, tasting center and wines have undergone transformation: A beautiful new visitor center and a brand new winery and the installation of veteran Winemaker, Bill Nancarrow. All three have brought a powerful new dimension to Goosecross through its winemaking and its portfolio of authentic, approachable and food friendly wines.
Dave Ficeli, Owner
Close
Dave has always been driven towards an entrepreneurial path within the wine industry. For most of the past two decades, he has had the good fortune of working with great brands and wineries in California and internationally. His experience spans both corporate and entrepreneurial roles in marketing, strategy, sales, production, general management and leadership.
While Dave strives to seek out professional challenges, the road always leads back to his passions: entrepreneurship, building the family business, and expressive, single vineyard wines. These loves find common ground at Goosecross.
Bill Nancarrow, Winemaker
Close
Bill Nancarrow’s ascent to his role as Winemaker for Napa Valley’s Goosecross Cellars includes stints on four different continents. A native of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Bill graduated from college with a degree in hotel management. His early interest in wine and food led him to Capetown, South Africa managing one of the city’s fine dining establishments known for its stellar wine list. Hungry to learn more, Bill next set his sights on France, backpacking his way through some of that country’s most celebrated winegrowing regions including Alsace, Champagne, Chablis, Beaune and Bordeaux to name a few. He next made his way to the UK where he worked as a Vineyard Manager at Thorncraft Vineyards south of London. His last stint prior to coming to Napa was a stop back home in New Zealand to work at the renowned Pask Winery in Hawkes Bay which further cemented his skills as a winemaker. During this time, he credits Winemaker-Director Kate Radburn, one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemakers as having a profound influence on his winemaking approach – one that emphasizes regional and varietal authenticity and always with an eye to sustainability.
Keen to work a Northern Hemisphere vintage Bill travelled to the Napa Valley in 2001 to work at famed Merlot house, Duckhorn Vineyards. When the Assistant Winemaker’s position unexpectedly opened, he grabbed it. In 2003 he assumed the role of Winemaker for sister brand Paraduxx while continuing his Assistant Winemaking duties at Duckhorn. All his efforts were rewarded in 2007 when he was promoted to Executive Winemaker of Duckhorn Wine Company’s Napa Valley properties – a post which he held until 2013.
Bill’s extensive winemaking experiences, his deep knowledge of the exceptional Napa Valley terroir, plus his natural artistry crafting wines with a sense of elegance, purity and place make him uniquely poised for his position as Winemaker for Goosecross Cellars, a post he has held since 2013. Bill brings his distinctive winemaking style and considerable skills to bear on the winery’s single varietal wines as well as their innovative blends. Armed with a brand new winery, exceptional estate vineyards and extensive grower relations throughout the Napa Valley, he and his team have everything they need to uphold the Goosecross commitment for winemaking excellence well into the future.
Samantha Francis, Direct to Consumer Manager
Close
Born and raised in South Africa, Samantha started her career in hospitality working at The Plettenberg Hotel, a 5-star hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian ocean. Samantha developed her love for wine during her years working in restaurants. She continued her journey to work a season at a resort in Canada. The travel bug had bitten, and she received a visa to work in California at the acclaimed Auberge du Soleil as Front Office Manager. As they say, the rest is history.
Transitioning to the wine business Samantha felt blessed to be able to continue her discovery of the Napa Valley. She gained knowledge and experience working at family-owned wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma. Samantha passed the WSET Level-2 with distinction. Living with her pets (Daisy, Benny, Finnegan and Mira) she enjoys visits home to South Africa regularly, exploring the back roads of California and photography.
Now with Goosecross Cellars as your Wine Club Manager, Samantha is excited to meet all of our highly regarded wine club members and continue to share her passion of wine and Napa Valley with each of you.
Question about our wine club?
Jason Velderrain, Tasting Room Manager
Close
Born and raised in Torrance, CA Jason and his wife moved to the Napa Valley in 2009. He graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena and received his level 2 Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013. Jason’s resume includes previous stints as Tasting Room Manager at Merryvale Vineyards, Starmont Winery, and Imagery Estates in Glen Ellen, but It wasn’t until he joined the Goosecross team in 2017 that he truly felt at home. Currently, Jason is our Tasting Room Manager as well as Wine Club & Event Coordinator.
In his spare time, Jason loves to travel with his wife and son, cook and entertain with friends, and listen to music. He is a self-proclaimed pop culture junkie and loves anything 80’s and 90’s, everything Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy. His favorite movie is Pulp Fiction.
Jason believes that children are our future and that we should teach them well and let them lead the way. We should show them all the beauty they possess inside, to give them a sense of pride and make it easier!
Manu, Cellarpaw
Close
In memoriam. Manu passed peacefully surrounded by his family December 2022.
Manu technically belongs to Bill’s son Fergus. But while Fergus is away studying Viticulture Manu gets to be official welcome dog and helpful Cellar Paw at Goosecross.
This good dog enjoys secret treats from the UPS driver (don’t tell Bill), chasing coyotes through the vineyard but most of all he relishes lounging in the parking lot.