Corinne Martinez / Courtesy of Corinne Martinez
After an impressive three and a half decades of dedicated service in the enterprise software and services sector, Corinne Martinez has taken on the prestigious role of president and Chief Operating Officer at Berryessa Gap Vineyards. Established in 2002, the vineyard is co-owned by Corinne, her brother Dan Martinez, and partner Santiago Moreno. The high-quality wines produced by Berryessa have garnered attention and inclusion in exclusive shipments from The Graduate Wine Collective, a wine club affiliated with the Cal Alumni Association, reflecting the vineyard’s growing reputation in the industry.
Martinez, a passionate wine enthusiast, began her collection journey in the late 1980s and has since curated an impressive array of prized vertical collections showcasing the finest Napa Valley wines. Her commitment to supporting the wine community is exemplified by her initiative to open a collaborative tasting room, which provides a platform for several small wineries that lack their own retail locations. Furthermore, she is a co-founder of a nonprofit mutual-benefit marketing association aimed at uplifting wine grape growers and producers within Yolo and Solano counties.
Below, you’ll find a recipe for the perfect cozy fall meal: Spanish Fideo Soup. Martinez credits her beloved grandmother, Isabel Martinez, for this treasured family recipe, which has been passed down through generations. Recommended pairings for this dish are two exquisite Spanish varieties from Berryessa Gap Vineyards: the refreshing verdejo and the robust tempranillo.
Spanish Fideo Soup
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 quart canned tomatoes with liquid
- 1 can garbanzo beans
- 1 can cannellini beans
- 8 roasted red and/or green peppers (sweet peppers such as Sevillanos or bells)
- ½ package fideo noodles
- 1 gram saffron, crush if using stems, or use powdered
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 4 to 6 cups of water
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Directions
- Soak saffron in 4 to 6 cups of hot water. Let stand.
- Brown chicken legs on all sides in olive oil in a large stock pot for 10 to 15 minutes on medium to medium-high heat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add onion and garlic, and brown until onions are translucent.
- Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and saffron water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, add peppers and garbanzo and cannellini beans, and simmer for 1 to 2 hours.
- 20 minutes before serving, bring to a boil again and add fideo noodles. Cook per instructions on fideo noodles package.
Serve with rustic bread and butter.
Enjoy tasting fine wines and supporting the Cal Alumni Association? Join us in celebrating incredible alumni-made wines by signing up for The Graduate Wine Collective, UC Berkeley’s alumni wine club. Members receive three shipments of wine each year and exclusive invitations to wine-tasting events.
Related
How has the Graduate Wine Collective contributed to the growth of Berryessa Gap Vineyards?
**Interview with Corinne Martinez, President and COO of Berryessa Gap Vineyards**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Corinne. Congratulations on your new role at Berryessa Gap Vineyards! After your incredible journey in the enterprise software sector, what motivated you to make this shift to the wine industry?
**Corinne Martinez:** Thank you for having me! My journey in the technology sector was fulfilling, but my passion for wine has always been a part of my life. I started collecting in the late 1980s, and that love for wine only grew over the years. The opportunity to co-own and lead Berryessa Gap Vineyards felt like the perfect way to merge my professional skills with my passion for winemaking and the community.
**Editor:** It’s inspiring to see that passion come to fruition! Berryessa Gap Vineyards has gained recognition for its high-quality wines. How has the partnership with The Graduate Wine Collective impacted the vineyard’s growth?
**Corinne Martinez:** Being included in the Graduate Wine Collective’s shipments has been a tremendous honor. It has not only elevated our visibility but has also allowed us to connect with wine lovers who appreciate premium selections. It’s gratifying to see our wines being represented alongside esteemed producers, reinforcing our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
**Editor:** Beyond your role at the vineyard, you’re quite active in supporting the wine community. Can you tell us more about the collaborative tasting room and the nonprofit marketing association?
**Corinne Martinez:** Absolutely! The collaborative tasting room was born from the idea that many small wineries don’t have the resources to establish a retail space. By creating a shared space, we provide exposure and opportunities for those producers to showcase their wines. As for the nonprofit, it focuses on promoting local grape growers and winemakers in Yolo and Solano counties, ensuring they have the visibility and support they need to thrive.
**Editor:** It’s wonderful to see your dedication to uplifting others in the industry. On a personal note, I understand you have a treasured family recipe for Spanish Fideo Soup that you’d like to share with our readers.
**Corinne Martinez:** Yes! This recipe, which I cherish deeply, was passed down from my grandmother, Isabel Martinez. It reminds me of family gatherings and the warmth of home. It’s a comforting dish that pairs beautifully with our verdejo and tempranillo wines, making it a perfect choice for fall.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing that with us! What do you consider the most fulfilling aspect of your new role at the vineyard?
**Corinne Martinez:** I feel incredibly fulfilled by the opportunity to connect with the community — from our customers to other local producers. It’s about building relationships, sharing stories through our wines, and contributing to a thriving winemaking culture. That sense of purpose is what drives me every day.
**Editor:** Thank you, Corinne, for sharing your insights and your journey. We wish you all the best at Berryessa Gap Vineyards!
**Corinne Martinez:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my story, and I hope everyone enjoys our wines and the spirit of community we cultivate.