Our Team

Family and Staff

Peter Byrne

President of Long Looked For Come At Last LLC and in charge of Corteau Vineyards’ day-to-day operations. A native of Northern Virginia and a west coast software engineer by trade, Corteau Vineyards drew him back to the mid-Atlantic to pursue his passion for the family's land by turning Gerald’s vision into reality. 

Gerald Byrne

Co-owner and the family visionary. During the weekdays, he lives and works in Northern Virginia and then frequently commutes to Southern Maryland on weekends to work in the vineyard. After a trip to Europe, Gerald was the first to frame the idea to turn our land into a vineyard and continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with mid-Atlantic viticulture. Gerald’s perseverance has paid off with top quality grapes and delicious wines.

Brianna Lopez

Winemaker. Brianna is from the acclaimed wine region of Temecula, California. Her interests in biochemistry and medicine led her to purse a Biology degree and associate in biblical studies at Arizona Christian University. After graduation, she was accepted into Trinity School Medicine and shortly thereafter she decided that she wanted to engage in a different career path - something closer to her roots. Brianna earned her post-Baccalaureate and her master's degree in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California Davis, Summa Cum Laude and is currently enrolled in their Ph.D. program. She has interned at a number of wineries on the East and West Coasts, including Joseph Phelps Vineyard in Napa. Brianna is WSET Level 3 Certified. 

Lyrel Thomason Byrne

Business manager. Another Northern Virginia native, Lyrel has a background in clinical laboratory science which she now uses to test our wines. She also runs all the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business as well as the Tasting Room. She has previously worked as a tasting room assistant and festival coordinator for Port of Leonardtown Winery, is a past Vice President of Maryland Grape Growers Association, and is WSET Level 3 Certified.

Callie Hancock

Vineyard Manager. Callie is a Southern Maryland native who has worked in our vineyard for over 4 years and has a passion to learn more about the vines. She is currently studying Viticulture and Enology through the VESTA online program.