CHILDHOOD, EDUCATION, AND FIRST CAREER

Before becoming the first Korean American female winemaker in Napa, California, Cecil Park grew up in Korea with a unique ambition for a ‘typical’ Korean girl in the 1970s. Rather than following the common expectations of becoming a modest and docile housewife, Park was determined to study engineering at a top university to build her professional career. Park earned a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering at the elite Yonsei University, which some refer to as the Yale of Korea.

Despite facing many adversities for being one of the only female minority winemakers, Park went on to earn a second Bachelor of Science degree with high honors in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis in 2014.

While developing and growing Winefornia, Park's most difficult challenge was her battle with breast cancer. Like any other challenge she faced, Park overcame cancer through "research, life- transforming discipline, and gratitude.” With the support of her loving husband and their now 10- year-old son, who is the biggest fan of her wine grapes, Park always strives for the best.

In the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, also known as the largest competition of American wines in the world, Park's Cuvee and Cabernet Sauvignon won silver place. INNOVATUS was also featured at the 2018 Crazy Rich Asian Film Premier and currently is the official wine for the Orpheum Theatre, the premier Broadway theatre in San Francisco. Park's wines have received broad acclaim, her Cabernet Sauvignon scoring 92 points by James Suckling and receiving a rating of 4.6 on Vivino.

Park’s first professional endeavor was in marketing and the food industry for corporations such as Kraft Foods Inc. (also known as Dongsuh Food Corporation). Park became the first female product manager at Kraft Foods, excelling at her job by maintaining the company’s market share and launching new products.

JOURNEY TO WINE

In 2001, Park immigrated to the United States and continued to work in marketing and sales at a hotel in Los Angeles where she was introduced to the world of wine. Park became fascinated with wine and winemaking, which was the perfect combination of her passion for science, innovation, and creativity.

With her background in food and engineering, she began her first job in the wine industry, working as a lab technician at the Napa Wine Company, and completed courses developed by the Internal Organization of Vine and Wine of France and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). While pursuing further education, Park developed and launched Winefornia in 2007, becoming the first Korean American female winemaker in Napa, California.

WINEMAKER, VITICULTURIST, AND NEGOCIANT

Now with 15 years of winemaking experience under her belt, Park is an award-winning winemaker, viticulturist, and wine negociant. She manages more than 80 vineyards throughout Napa/Sonoma and specializes in estate winery design, all while traveling the world to educate others on winemaking.

Through Winefornia, she has produced numerous wines: Summer Breeze, LA18, Bongchu, The Vow, Highway 29, Charis Reserve, Casto, Fargo One, JD Estate, Of Ours, Mixed Roots, and Fermentation Lab. One of Park’s most notable private wine includes wine for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Professional Golf Association (PGA). Park created a special exclusive wine suited for LPGA and PGA through a sophisticated blending process from wines in French oak barrels for their commemorative golf events in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

In 2014, Park Launched her own wine brand INNOVATUS (Latin for "innovation"). INNOVATUS has gained recognition worldwide and has been exported to China (Wine Hub), Korea (Shindong), and Japan (WineGura).