Two decades after the winery was constructed, Peltier is still owned and operated by Rod & Gayla Schatz, Rod driving the farming and bulk wine side of the business and Gayla managing all things finance.

The pair have always been forward-thinking, advocates for California growers, and dedicated to helping others. As Chairman of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and President of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, Rod has promoted the grape growing industry both locally and across the country. The success and improvement of California agriculture will forever be a driving force in his life. Gayla has dedicated much of her life to the community as a member and past president of Children's Home of Stockton and an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Her warmth and hospitality are the heart of the winery.

When they get the chance, Rodney and Gayla love to skip town and explore the world, one bottle of wine at a time.

Gianni grew up on his family's asparagus farm in California’s Central Valley. He attended the University of the Pacific with aspirations of becoming a pharmacist. After working as a lab technician without a clear career path, Gianni found himself working in the laboratories of several San Joaquin County wineries. It was in these wine labs that Gianni was exposed to the joys of wine making. This experience sparked his ambition to make world-class wines for the past 25 years.

Gianni discovered his true passion for winemaking while working with Robert Mondavi, sourcing grapes from Santa Lucia Highlands through Santa Maria. In 2005, Gianni decided to move to Morgan Winery to focus exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. After harnessing his craft with Morgan, he was thrilled with the opportunity to become the head winemaker at the iconic Chalone Vineyards.

Gianni returned to the central valley and soon began working at Peltier in 2022, where his philosophy that "great winemaking begins in the vineyard" is shared.

Bryce grew up surrounded by agriculture and farm land in a rural Clovis community called Appaloosa Acres. While initially pursuing the safe path towards a career in education, she quickly realized the institution was not for her. Upon learning that Fresno State offered one of the best Enology and Viticulture programs available, she saw opportunities in the wine industry to challenge systems, take risks and be creative.

Her career in winemaking was rooted in research as she accepted positions in Winemaking R&D, internships under grants for vineyard research as well as a production winemaking internship. These experiences solidified Bryce’s passion for winemaking and eventually led her to Lodi. In 2014, Bryce created the wine label, Ravage, with Constellation wines, a brand that embodies Bryce’s adventurous spirit and willingness to take risks. She traveled extensively across the US to promote and distribute five vintages of the Central Coast Cabernet and Red Blend.

Once again, Bryce took an opportunity to challenge herself as a winemaker and spent 2 harvests in New Zealand where she learned to appreciate their unique Sauvignon Blanc style and fell in love with the process of making white wines. Bryce thrived in the scenic countryside of New Zealand, even mastering how to drive on the other side of the road. Had it not been for an expired visa, she may have never left.

Bryce joined Peltier as a winemaker just before Harvest 2022 and enjoys working with unique varietals like Vermentino and Teroldego but is most delighted to make (and drink) Methode Champenoise Sparkling. Outside the winery, Bryce can be found making pottery, sculpting, playing DND, hiking with her husband and snuggling with her dogs, Jaxon and Juniper.