Bill Steele graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies in 1983. He continued his education graduating with an MBA from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Bill received his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1991, and spent 17 years on Wall Street as a sell-side Equity Research Analyst. He specialized on analyzing consumer product companies such as Procter & Gamble, Colgate, Estee Lauder and Clorox. Bill left Wall Street in 2005 to build a business in the Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon. Bill and his wife Barbara have developed Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden, a 117-acre Demeter-certified Biodynamic® farm in Southern Oregon. Their current crops are asparagus, fruit, and wine grapes. They also have established a boutique artisan winery where they process their grapes into wine. Bill is also the Treasurer of Southern Oregon Humane Society.
Barbara Steele graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Political Economy of Industrial Society in 1984. She continued her education graduating with an MBA from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Barbara started her career in public accounting and then moved on to work with a diverse group of companies building their financial controls and infrastructure. Barbara’s last finance-related position was as CFO for Academy Studios, a leading designer and fabricator of exhibits for museums, zoos and aquariums. Prior to founding Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden, Barbara spent several years working with organic farms in California learning about their operations and business models.
As sales manager Josh oversees all aspects of sales throughout the state of Oregon for Cowhorn and plays an integral role in brand development. With close to 10 years of experience in the Oregon wine industry working for wineries such as King Estate & Van Duzer Vineyards, Josh has developed a keen understanding of the significance long lasting customer relationships can play in developing nationally respected & succesful wine brands.
Facilities Manager and Cellar Hand Vince Crisci is responsible for maintenance of our buildings and the machinery for the farm and winery. He's also part of our winery team performing cellar, harvest and bottling operations.
Ranch Supervisor Martin Figueroa oversees field work for the crops, landscape and habitat areas.
Ranch Hand Noe Garcia performs work in the fields related to the production and harvest of crops and the maintenance of landscape and habitat areas.
