Brandon grew up in Milton Freewater, Oregon, on his family's small farm. During these years he helped raise cows, pigs and worked in the plum orchard. After discovering his passion for wine, he completed his degree at Oregon State University in Food and Fermentation Science, with minors in Business and Chemistry. He worked his first harvest after college at King Estate Winery in Eugene, Oregon. Next he spent time at a contract winery in New Zealand. He returned home to begin working for Waters in 2006.