History

In 1997 Dr. Ernest Bates found his refuge in the Napa Valley and inspired by the vines. "I've always enjoyed fine wine and being inspired by the vineyards on my Napa property, I decided to create one of the first African American wineries in the Valley." He saw the wine industry and the Napa Valley lifestyle to be a refreshing break from his work in the competitive world of medicine and medical supplies. So in 2000, he formed the Black Coyote label with a few close friends, Stanley S. Trotman and John F. Ruffle. Black Coyote Wines produces 600 cases of its signature award winning Black Coyote Reserve Cabernet. Black Coyote Wines are harvested from some of Napa Valley's premium vineyards. Black Coyote's Winemaker, Tim Milos is a US Davis graduate.  He shares our philosophy of expressing the wines natural state at all time because of this we do not filter any of our wine.

The Black Coyote Partners

Vanessa Robledo

Vanessa Robledo, fourth generation grape grower in Napa & Sonoma, has accomplished quite a bit in her young life. She worked in her family vineyard as a child, went on to become President of her family's winery, launched her own consulting company, former president of a private family foundation and in 2008 joined Black Coyote Chateau as President and managing Partner. Today she continues her family legacy in the wine industry getting involved in all aspects of the winery; farming, wine production management, local and national sales, marketing, public relations, legal compliance, and wine club development and management.

Others have recognized the work being done by Vanessa Robledo. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors honored her as the first district recipient of the Woman of Color Humanitarian Award in 2005.  In 2006 she was awarded the Latino Business Leadership Award given to the most influential Hispanic leaders in the Bay Area.  The North Bay Business Journal named her one of 2007's leading young professionals.  In 2008 Latina Style Magazine recognized Vanessa as Latina Entrepreneur of the Year. Recently, in 2012 she was selected as the Top 100 Women Greening the Future by the Girls Scouts of Northern California.

When asked to summarize her philosophy, Vanessa replies, "If you have love for what you are doing, there is always opportunity. The passion in your soul helps you work harder. My passions are for wine and helping people.

 Dr. Ernest Bates

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine. Active in leading professional medical societies, Dr. Bates has also contributed chapters to the publication, Textbook on Brain Tumors and Black Related Diseases. He is a frequent guest speaker at medical organizations and business conferences. An African American neurosurgeon, Dr. Bates is well known for his community involvement and philanthropic work. Ernest A. Bates, M.D., founder of American Shared Hospital Services, has served in the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since the incorporation of the Company in 1977. Dr. Bates is a 2012 School of Dentistry and Medicine Dean's Medal Recipient

Stanley S. Trotman, Jr.,

Mr. Trotman has been a director of American Shared Hospital Services since 1996. He retired in 2000 as a Managing Director with the Health Care Group of Paine Webber Incorporated, an investment banking firm. Mr. Trotman had been with Paine Webber Incorporated since 1995 following the consolidation of Kidder, Peabody, also an investment banking firm, with Paine Webber. He had previously co-directed Kidder, Peabody's Health Care Group since April 1990. Formerly he had been head of the Health Care Group at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. where he had been employed for approximately 22 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University in 1965 and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1967.

Jack Ruffle

A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University, with an MBA in finance from Rutgers University, and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has been a director of American Shared Hospital Services since 1995. He retired in 1993 as Vice-Chairman of the Board and a Director of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York. He also is a Director of Bethlehem Steel Corporation; a member of the Boards of Managers of North Moore Fund, LLC and JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Fund, LLC; a Trustee of JP Morgan Series Trust II; a Director of Trident Corp.; a Director of The Wackenhut Corporation; a Director of Wackenhut Corrections Corp; and a Trustee of The Johns Hopkins University.