Eleodoro Hernandez is a happy man.

He has a good life, a wonderful family and a remarkable gift for growing things and getting them to flourish. This ability applies to vineyards, fruit trees and his two sons alike. He has made the journey from factory worker to vineyard owner and winemaker by virtue of his dedication to his own ideals of respect and hard work.

When you meet Hernandez, you are greeted by a man who looks about 35 although he is closer to 50. His gaze is clear, direct and full of interest. There is a peace and quiet in his demeanor that derives not only from a sense of confidence in what he does, but also from the integrity he brings to his work.

Life did not begin easily for Hernandez. Born in Michoacan, Mexico, he came to the United States 30 years ago, at the age of 17. He first found work in a lamp factory. When the work there was done, he headed north and ended up in St. Helena, where he worked in the vineyards at Flora Springs Winery.

When he began, he knew nothing about grapes or wines, but Hernandez paid attention and absorbed every aspect of the growing process, from pruning to grafting and cloning, he learned how each phase of the process affects the wine that is produced. He is now considered an expert, not only in laying out vineyards and growing grapes, but also in cloning and grafting. He is a man who can turn a barren piece land into a beautiful vineyard.

Eventually Hernandez began working with smaller vineyards, for growers like Joe Greco, Ed Kruse, Tony Butala and Lorenzo Mills. “Ele is a natural talent,” Mills said. “He can look at a vineyard and with his eye measure out the whole thing.”

Grower Bill Kisnik expressed the same confidence. “Ele has become my friend. He is an outstanding vineyard manager, and a totally reliable grape specialist.”

Landscaper Gary Miller said simply, “Ele is the best. He’s who I would recommend to anyone wanting to plant a vineyard.”

Eight years ago, after working for 20 years in others’ vineyards, Hernandez began growing grapes in his own vineyards, a source of great satisfaction. For the past four years he has sold his grapes to top wineries like Joseph Phelps. Philippe Pessereu, director of vineyard operations for Phelps, said Hernandez “is really dedicated and passionate about his work. He gets the job done, and he loves what he does.”

It seems everyone who comes into contact with him knows how much joy Hernandez puts into his work and his life. A proud citizen of the United States, he honors America as the land of opportunities. His plainly stated philosophy is “Respect the law. Put your children in school. Give them choices through education.”

His older son, Daniel, is attending law school, and Diego attends Napa Valley College. “I didn’t push my sons to work in the fields,” Hernandez said. “They know they can do that, but they also have seen that education will give them other opportunities.”

He takes his role as a parent seriously. “To me, the school is not just over there. It is in my home. I am the teacher in my home.” Being a good example is part of his belief system. “I show my children how a man should behave by how I act.” He doesn’t drink or smoke and he works hard seven days a week.

All his hard work is to assure that his family is well taken care of, and that his boys have what they need to create happy and productive lives. “Everything is for family,” Hernandez said. “My family is my life, and my number one success.”

Hernandez makes it clear that his partner in all things, and a major factor in his achievements, is his wife, Noemi. “My wife has been totally supportive of me always. She has helped me so much in my life. She is the one who has helped me to have the kind of life we enjoy.”

So when Hernandez began his wine label last year, there was no question as to what the name would be. Noemi Vineyards will yield 300 cases of cabernet in the first year of production.

Why a cabernet?

“Ah,” Hernandez said, “it is the best wine, the most consistent.”

Hernandez is justifiably proud of Noemi Vineyards. His wine is the product of fine grapes raised under his expert hand, and the great attention and care given to all aspects of the winemaking process. A reflection of Hernandez, it is made with integrity and infused with love.

Hernandez also owns a home in Michoacan, where he grows coconut palms and citrus trees. For three weeks at various times of the year he goes back to prune the trees, and look over the property, which his sister cares for in his absence. After a few weeks he is ready to come back and resume his life in Napa.

Hernandez works seven days a week, often doing the work of three men. He expects his workers to live up to the high standards by which he lives. Will he ever slow down?

“Yes,” he smiled, “at some point I’ll only work four days a week. But I’ll never stop working.”