A Chicago native, Carpenter graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and the University of Illinois, Chicago with a Masters of Business Administration. He visited Napa Valley after graduation and realized his true passion was winemaking. He soon moved to the area and began an artistic winemaking career.
Carpenter gained experience as a Harvest Enologist at Domaine Carneros Winery, a Vineyard Intern at Domaine Chandon California, and a Research Intern at Tenute Antinori, Santa Cristina Estate in Montefiridolfi, Italy. In 1998, he received his Masters of Science in Horticulture from the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis.
Carpenter joined the winemaking team on the Cardinale Estate in 1998 as Enologist. In 1999 he was promoted to Assistant Winemaker, and in 2001 was named Winemaker. www.cardinale.com