What CLients AND COLLEAGUES are saying

We met Lisa Bishop Forbes through a family connection, and on a bit of a whim, decided to dive into the world of winemaking. From day one, Lisa has been incredibly kind, patient, and hands-on—helping us build our winemaking journey from the ground up (literally!). We came into this with no prior experience, and Lisa never made us feel out of place. She became a true partner in the process, guiding us every step of the way. Each year, she collaborates with us and the farmer to ensure we select the best vineyards for our wine. From bud-break to harvest to bottling, Lisa is there—attentive, passionate, and detail-oriented.

Lisa is the ultimate professional with a wealth of knowledge in the wine industry. She takes the time to understand our goals and preferred wine style, and somehow always delivers beyond our expectations. No matter where you are on your winemaking journey, you won’t find a better asset to your team—or your dream—than Lisa Bishop Forbes. We are happy to have her on our journey!

 CRYSTAL HARDY
Owner, CMK CELLARS

We can’t say enough about Lisa—Her intuitive artistry and technical mastery shine through her work. Lisa doesn’t just make wine—she educates her clients along the way which is our favorite part of our partnership. Her passion, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to excellence have been a constant theme. We adore her, trust her completely, and feel so lucky to have her as part of our journey.

I recommend Lisa and her finely tuned palate! With my boutique wine company, Lisa's consulting winemaker services are essential for shaping our protocol and blends, executing work orders to the cellar team, teaching me about winemaking, record keeping on wine software and last but not least, we enjoy her focused and friendly character and steady leadership.

Alice Sutro
Owner, Sutro Wine Company

Lisa Bishop Forbes is an exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, open minded and supportive consulting winemaker who possesses a wealth of experience.  She actively listens to her clients and provides insight and information based on their goals and desires.  Lisa is patient, generous and genuine; working with her is a wonderful experience.  If you are new to winemaking, she is a great guide to the entire process.  If you are an experienced winemaker, Lisa will help you make even better wine.  I offer my highest recommendation without reservation.

Craig Riordan, PhD
Owner, Bard Clan Wines

I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Lisa SINCE 2015. As winemaker at Ross Road Custom Crush, she guided the winemaking process for our Family Estate wines. Her knowledge, skills, and palate are amazing. Her insights and risk analysis talents always provided choices for how we express the characteristics of our fruit as well as our house style. The wines she has crafted for our label have turned out to be incredible examples of our property and style and are truly anticipated by our wine club and enjoyed by our visitors.

Peter Smiderle
Owner, MoniClaire Vineyards

After 9 years of making my own wine, I decided to make wine commercially. I learned about Lisa Bishop Forbes and Ross Road Custom Crush and made an appointment for my wife and me to meet Lisa. From the beginning, I felt comfortable with her. She listened to my many questions and answered them with a kind of quiet authority that came from her academic training as an oenologist as well as many years in different places making wine from a lot of different varietals. I had the impression that she noticed that I knew some things about making wine myself and she made me feel respected in that regard. Overall, she struck me as someone who was a good listener and someone I could trust to guide me in my endeavoR. That was in 2016.

Today Lisa has made NINE vintages out of four different varietals for me and I have been very pleased with all of them. She made it possible for me to share in the creative process of winemaking, though I always realized that the real winemaker was Lisa. I have learned a lot from her and hope to learn much more. The slight feeling of regret I had that first vintage when I was no longer the “auteur” of my wine is gone. I am glad my wine is being made by someone who really knows what she is doing. I could not be happier with Lisa as a winemaker and person with whom I have collaborated.

Wayne Roden
Owner, Roden Wines

I worked with Lisa Bishop Forbes during her time as winemaker at Chalk Hill Estate arranging media appointments for her with the wine press. Lisa represents the height of professionalism, making herself available for any and all press meetings and tastings. She is extremely articulate, personable, and demonstrates a deep knowledge of both winemaking and winegrowing. She was well-prepared for interacting with the media and easily navigated the facts, figures, history, and storylines associated with Chalk Hill Estate, resulting in excellent relationships with the press. Overall, Lisa Bishop Forbes rates as one of the top winemakers I’ve worked with in my 24 years in the wine industry.

Jean Jacote
Principal, Big Bang Wine

I worked closely with Lisa from 2015 - 2017 on a number of ultra-premium wines. She is a world-class winemaker and someone you can truly refer to as an expert in wine production. Her skills and knowledge reach every facet of winemaking from vineyard assessment to bottling. Furthermore, Lisa has one of the best palates I have ever come across and her sensory evaluation skills are truly remarkable. Lisa is easy to work with, has great attention to detail, and an ability to solve problems and get things done regardless of the situation.

Atsmon Shahar
Owner, Piezo Winery

Lisa is a winemaker and manager with many proven talents. I've deeply enjoyed working with her as a custom crush client and in the Women for Winesense Napa/Sonoma Winemaking and Viticulture Roundtable. She has a passion for the craft, excelling in the range of technical winemaking and managerial skills to support programs of many sizes with excellence. She has produced at scales from 50,000+ cases to artisan single barrel unique lots and consistently wins acclaim for her wines. Her warm style is results-driven with a cool head. Her teamwork, personality, skill, and flexibility for scale make her an exceptional winemaker in the competitive North Coast region.

Julie Lumgair
Consulting Fine Winemaker

WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED LISA BISHOP FORBES, WE WERE STRANGERS. I WAS LOOKING FOR A WINEMAKER WHO WOULD TAKE ON SMOKE-TAINTED PINOT NOIR GRAPES AND BE BOLD AND CREATIVE IN THE MIDST OF A STATE-WIDE DISASTER. LISA AGREED TO TAKE MY FRUIT AND MAKE THE WINE TASTE AS DELICIOUS AS POSSIBLE. WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR A YEAR, TASTING ALONG THE WAY AS SHE CRAFTED THE WINE WITH HER SUPERB SKILL. I FOUND LISA TO BE HIGHLY INTELLIGENT AND TALENTED WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, REMAINING WARM AND APPROACHABLE. AS FOR THE PINOT NOIR THAT SHE MADE FOR ME… IT IS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

GERRY SCHULTZ, OWNER OF GIOIA VINEYARD
WEST SONOMA COAST AVA