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Efrain Garcia and Laura Balandran
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Efrain Family
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Efrain Garcia and Laura Balandran are two of Handley Cellars’ most capable, versatile, and dedicated employees. They also happen to be married and live with their two young sons, right here on the Handley property.
Laura and Efrain grew up in Mexico, she in León and he in Michoacán. Both of them immigrated to Anderson Valley, where they met in 1996. Neither spoke a word of English when they first came to the U.S., but both worked hard and graduated from Anderson Valley High School. They were married in 2002 and now have two boys: Kevin, age 8, and Jonathan, age 5.
Efrain began working at Handley Cellars in 1998. Starting in the garden and vineyard, his interest in winemaking drew him into the cellar, where he is now assistant to Cellarmaster Randy Schock. For some time, Efrain’s duties have included filtering, punch downs, additions, and other cellar tasks. This past harvest season, he also began working in the lab, helping check brix and pH in our fermenting wines. A man of many talents, Efrain also enjoys construction projects (including solving plumbing and electrical problems!), and occasionally driving the backhoe.
Laura, too, wears many hats at Handley Cellars, and her magical smile is always a welcome sight wherever she happens to be working. She helps out in the garden, works with Kristen in the lab, and lends an invaluable hand in our shipping department. Laura is also an essential member of the Handley events staff, helping to keep things running smoothly in the kitchen.
We are indeed lucky to have Laura and Efrain living and working here, contributing their many talents to the efforts of the Handley team.
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