Proprietors Fritz and Caren Frutig Hatton
Arietta is owned by Fritz and Caren Frutig Hatton. Fritz has over four decades of experience in the fine and rare wine business and in addition to being a vintner is the nation’s foremost wine auctioneer. He serves as principal auctioneer for Zachys Wine Auctions, and an auctioneer for many charities nationwide.
Winemaker Andy Erickson
Andy Erickson is one of the most accomplished winemakers of his generation. After working at wineries in Napa and South America, Andy earned his Master’s Degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California at Davis in 2000. Prior to joining Arietta in 2005, Erickson worked for Harlan Estate as assistant winemaker, and for Staglin as winemaker. Erickson assumed complete control of winemaking at Arietta with the 2006 vintage. Erickson’s first project for Arietta was the development of its first ever white wine, Arietta “On The White Keys.” Over the last fifteen years Andy has expanded the Arietta portfolio to include eight wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon blend Quartet, the Artists’ Reserve On The White Keys, and the Cabernet Reserve “88 Keys.”
Patrick Nyeholt, Associate Winemaker
Patrick Nyeholt is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Agricultural Business with an emphasis on winemaking and viticulture. Patrick worked on his family’s vineyard properties before joining Andy Erickson’s winemaking team in 2011. He was named Associate Winemaker in 2020.
Sara Hitchcock, Director of Sales & Hospitality
Raised in the beach towns and wine country of San Luis Obispo county, Sara moved to Napa in 2009 to pursue her passion for wine and hospitality. She completed the WSET’s rigorous Advanced level program in 2017. In her spare time, you can find Sara hiking, dancing, playing bocce ball, traveling, attending art and music events, and enjoying delicious food and wine with friends and family.