Francisco is a Certified Crop and Pest Control Adviser who brings over 30 years of experience in a variety of agricultural roles related to viticulture and tropical fruits. From hands on production, to research and teaching, he is passionate about continuing to educate himself and sharing his findings with his team, and the industry. For the past 18 years, Francisco has worked as a viticulturist and vineyard manager in the North and Central Coasts of California and in Oregon. He has provided his technical support for the production of premium wine grapes in the West Coast as well as for the production of export table grapes in Northern Mexico. Prior to joining AVM in 2012, Francisco managed 16 premium vineyards for Premier Pacific Vineyards distributed across Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Two of those vineyards, Walala and Gap’s Crown, were the main components of the “2011 Wine of the Year” by the Wine Spectator. Francisco graduated from the University of Zulia, Venezuela, with a degree in Agronomy (Ingeniero Agrónomo) and later from UC Davis with an MS in Horticulture. He has published his work on vineyard irrigation, and vine growth and nutrition.