Ari Erle, born in Travis Air Force Base by Napa Valley, made Aliyah in 1994, and joined the IDF during his freshman year in college at the University of Washington. He later completed his degree at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in Political Science. After working at the Jewish National Fund and the the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for several years, Ari went back to school to study Viticulture and Oenology at the Napa Valley College and UC Davis. Before returning to Israel, he worked in Napa Valley for Colgin Cellars, Clos Du Val, Elizabeth Spencer and O Shaughnessy. Ari's love for agriculture, science, technology and Israel has been the driving force behind his passion for winemaking. He joined Elie's vision and helped create Bat Shlomo Vineyards. In addition to his work with Bat Shlomo, Ari teaches practical winemaking at the Ohalo College in Katzrin, Israel.