Thomas Montgomery, an award-winning winemaker and Fresno State alumnus, is the Winery’s new winemaker. He began his Fresno State assignment July 31.

As a winemaker, the Sanger native honed a reputation for award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Bordeaux varieties in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. His career began at E&J Gallo Winery in Fresno and at United Vintners in Reedley upon graduation from Fresno State in 1979.

“Fresno State offers a unique opportunity to teach students how to create world-class wines in a place that’s near and dear to me,” said Tom. “I feel very fortunate to be able to return to the Central Valley and give back to the program that first fostered my love for the profession."

Tom graduated with a bachelor’s degree in enology and viticulture and studied under the department’s legendary founder, Vincent E. Petrucci. Tom also conducted undergraduate research in spore formation and germination of Botrytis Cinerea, a wine grape fungus, and its initiation of bunch rot complex.

"Fresno State was a national leader in the field of enology when I was a student," he said, "and its winery facilities make it an even better training ground for students to produce an outstanding assortment of wines. I look forward to partnering with valley producers and growers to help train our future winemakers to be the best.”

His father, Richard Montgomery, was a Fresno State geography department chairperson and faculty member from 1966 to 1986.

Tom replaces Matt Brain who served as the campus winemaker and campus lecturer since July 2015.

Fresno State houses the nation’s first commercial winery on a university campus. Founded in 1997, it has won more than 600 wine competition honors.

For more information about the Fresno State Winery, visit www.fresnostatewinery.com.