Meet the Women Behind the Wine

Beth Nickel is the Proprietress of Far Niente, Dolce, Nickel & Nickel, EnRoute, Bella Union and Post & Beam. She is involved in the wineries' marketing and public relations programs, interior and landscape design projects, and she serves as a winery spokesperson at local and national events. When she's not occupied with winery business, Beth serves as a benefactor to children's charities locally and abroad, and for many years she has championed fund-raising to support cancer research in honor of Gil, whole lost a courageous battle with melanoma in the fall of 2003. A true student of world culture, she has visited many of the great international cities, and brings home antiques, vintage textiles, ceramics and other pieces reflective of the countries she has visited.


A graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis, Nicole Marchesi honed her skills in Sonoma and New Zealand before coming to Far Niente as an enologist in 2005. She was soon promoted to assistant winemaker, and four years later became the fourth winemaker in Far Niente's 40-year history. During her tenure, Nicole has gained a deep understanding of Far Niente's vineyards and has upheld the winery's legacy of estate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignons, creating wines of elegance and depth that capture both place and vintage.


Brooke Bobyak has been an integral part of the Far Niente Family of Wineries team since 2018. Beginning as Enologist for both Bella Union and EnRoute Winery, Brooke quickly moved into the role of Assistant Winemaker for the two wineries, before moving to Nickel & Nickel as Assistant Winemaker. In 2020, Brooke was promoted to the role of Winemaker for Bella Union where she will lead the team in perfecting the art of making Cabernet. Her vast experience includes roles at Hall Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Stags' Leap Winery, Jordan Winery, Domaine Chandon, Church Winery in New Zealand and Tentua di Valgiano in Tuscany. Brooke holds a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis.