Influential People in the Wine Industry Flashcards
In what category is Robert Mondavi?
Winery Owner: Robert Mondavi Winery
Where did Robert Mondavi establish his first winery and when?
Napa Valley in 1966
Robert Mondavi’s winery was the first major winery built in Napa following what?
The repeal of the Prohibition Act in1933
Robert Mondavi was one of the first to do what?
Export premium California wine in the 1970s
Robert Mondavi donated this much money to this school in this year for what?
25 million dollars to UC Davis in 2001 for the establishment of Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science.
In what category are Bo Barrett and Heidi Barrett?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Barrett & Barrett
Heidi Barrett created one of the most sought after what? What was this called? This was between what years?
Cult wines by the name of Screaming Eagle between 1992 and 2006.
Heidi Barrett is known as what?
Known as the “First Lady of Wine” and her balanced, elegant, and age worthy Cabernets.
Bo Barrett took over as winemaker of what and in what year did he do this?
Chateau Montelena in 1982
What is Bo Barrett’s expertise in?
Expertise is in single appellation vineyard that highlights each distinct vineyard.
In what category is Justin Smith?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Saxum
What is “Saxum” Latin for?
Stone
Justin Smith is a what generation winemaker? When did his family start making wine?
2nd generation winemaker
Family started making wine in 1998
What was Justin Smiths wine that won a prestigious award? What was the year and name of this award?
2007 James Berry Vineyard bottling
2010 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator
In what category is Ande Techelistcheff
Winemaker and Historical Figure
Andre Tchelistcheff was born when and died when?
Born December 7th 1901 and died April 5th 1994
What was Andre Tchelistcheff’s most notable contribution?
Refining the style of California’s best wine in particular, Cabernet Sauvignon.
What was Andre Tchelistcheff called? Why was he called this?
“Dean of American Winemakers” because he introduced new techniques and procedures to the California wine regions.
By what year was Andre Tchelistcheff’s _________ widely recognized as __________ and where was it normaly served?
Mid- 1940’s
“Private Reserve”
“The benchmark for California Cabernet Sauvignon”
Normally served at all important White House functions.
Andre Tchelistcheff provided significant contribution to what techniques in what key wine regions?
Cold Fermentation
Vineyard Frost Protection
Malolactic Fermentation
Wine Development
Pacific Northwest
Andre Tchelistcheff is noted for saying what?
“It takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.”
In what category is Helen Turley?
Winemaker and Winery Owner: Marcassin
Where did Helen Turley start her career? Where and when did she go after?
Started her career in the lab for Robert Mondavi Winery in 1984 she moved to California and landed a job at Peter Michael Winery.
Helen Turley helped define what? And helped develop what?
Helped define the emerging style of California Chardonnay and developed Les Pavots, a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend.
Helen Turley was the first to do what?
First to plant vineyards in the Sonoma Coast Wine region
In what category is Jayson Woodbridge?
Winemaker: Hundred Acre
What was Jayson Woodbridge’s career before becoming a winemaker? What is he known to have?
Investment banker
Known to have a scrutinizing winemaking style, from hand picking the grapes, hand sorting the berries, and selecting the wood the barrels would be made from.
Each wine Jayson Woodbridge represents what?
Single estate vineyards with 100% single varietal from Napa and Barossa Valleys.
Jayson Woodbridge is the owner of what wineries?
Hundred Acre
Cherry Pie
Layer Cake
In what category is Antonio Galloni?
Wine Critic
Antoni Galloni had what job during his career as a wine critic? From when till when was he at this job?
Tasting staff member of Robert Parker’s publication The Wine Advocate from 2006- 2013
In what year did Antonio Galloni founded __________? What does he do there?
In 2013, he founded Vinous, where he writes articles on a large range of wine related topics.
In what category is Paul Hobbs?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Black Cordon
Where did Paul Hobbs start his career? Where did he go from there?
Started his career at Robert Mondavi for his expertise in oak aging. He then moved onto Opus One before moving to Simi Winery.
What wineries did Paul Hobbs found and when were they founded?
Paul Hobbs Winery in 1991
Vina Cobos in 1999
Paul Hobbs is the recipient of what award? How many times has he won this award?
Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Barker
In what category is James Laube
Wine Writer
Where did James Laube work? In what year did he start and when did he join full time? What did he do here?
Was Wine Spectators Senior Editor (Emeritus) and expert on Californian Wines. Started at Wine Spectator in 1980 and joined full time in 1983.
James Luabe wrote what book? What awards did it win?
His first edition of his book Californian Wines won the 1996 James Beard Award for best wine book of the year.
In what category is Randall Grahm?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Bonny Doon Vineyard
Randall Grahm helped popularize what?
Rhone grapes in California and screw caps for premium wines.
What major award did Randall Grahm receive and in what year was this?
Awarded the Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in1994
What award winning book did Randall Grahm publish? In what year was this book published?
“Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology” published in 2009.
What happened to Randall Grahm in 2010?
Culinary Institute of America inducted him into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame.
What does Randall Grahm do now?
Focuses on what he calls “Varietal Auto- tuning” which is to help a varietal work even better at a site it is well- suited to.
In what category is Justin Meyer?
Winemaker: Silver Oak (past, founding winemaker)
When and where did Justin Meyer start? What did he do there?
In 1972 he joined Raymond T. Duncan to elevate the standards of California Wine, they devoted all their resources in crafting a single wine- Cabernet Sauvignon
What could Justin Meyer’s new style of Cabernet Sauvignon do?
Be drinkable the day it was released but still could hold up to cellaring.
In what year did Justin Meyer buy _________? How many years later did it produce his Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon?
1972, purchased an old dairy farm.
In what category is Paul Draper?
Winemaker and CEO: Ridge Vineyards
When did Paul Draper start at Ridge Vineyards? What did he do before that and what is he known for?
Started in 1969, after setting up a winery in Chile’s Coastal Range, he is known for crafting fine Cabernets and Chardonnays
What did Paul Draper gain recognision for?
Gained recognition for his 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon, when it placed 5th at the Judgement of Paris wine tasting.
In what style are Paul Draper’s wines? What types of oak does he prefer?
Wines in a French style though he prefers American Oak.
Who counts Paul Draper as one of his favorite non- European winemakers?
Jean- Luc Colombo
In what category is Cecila Welch?
Winer Owner and Winemaker: Corra Wines, Barbour
Cecila Welsh received her degree in what field at what school?
Fermentation Science from UC Davis
What wine regions did Cecila Welsh travel to after college? Where did she first work and then where did she end up settling?
Traveled to wine regions of the Pacific Northwest, East Coast, and New Zealand. First worked the harvest in the Barossa Valley of Australia, and then settled in Napa Valley.
How many prime vineyards does Cecila Welsh use to create her wine? What is this wine?
three separate vineyards to create her Corra Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are some of Cecila Welch’s accolades?
Honored as Winemaker of the Year in 2008 by Food and Wine magazine, and one of Forbes’ Top Ten Tastemakers of 2006.
In what category is Thomas Rivers Brown?
Winemaker: Wallis Estate, Vermeil, Schrader
Thomas River Brown moved where in what year?
Moved to the Napa Valley in 1996
Thomas Rivers Brown served as what to who? Where was this?
Assistant Winemaker to Ehren Jordon at Turley.
In what year did Thomas River Brown become what?
In 2000 he went out to become a consulting winemaker.
Who are a few of Thomas River Brown’s clients?
Revana, Vermeil (WD), Wallis Estate (WD), Carterwaul (WD), Schrader and his own label Rivers Marie
Thomas Rivers Brown was winemaker on the what of California’s what?
Winemaker on the first two California wines to be scored 100pts from both Wine Spectator and and Wine Advocate.
To date Thomas Rivers Brown has received how many perfect scores from Robert Parker?
25
In what category is Robert Parker?
Wine Critic
For how long did Robert Parker do what career before resigning in what year to devote his full attention to what?
Spent 10 years as an attorney before resigning in 1984 to devote his full attention to wine writing.
In what year was Robert Parker’s first publication? When did he retire?
First publication in 1978, retired in 2019.
What is Robert Parker often credited/ blamed with?
The rise of deeply colored, intensely fruity wines as producers tried to produce “Parker Wines”.
What is a important recent event in the pass decade that happened to Robert Parker? In what year was this?
Became the first wine critic inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Vintners Hall of Fame in 2013
In what category is Charles Smith?
Winemaker: Charles Smith. K Vintners
What is notable about Charles Smith’s appearance? Why might this be?
He looks like a rock star more than a owner/ winemaker. Possibly due to the fact that he was a rock band manager in Europe.
Charles Smith is a what kind of winemaker?
He is self- taught
Charles Smith crafted his own house wines and sold his first line to who and in what year was this done?
Precept Brands in 2006
What was Charles Smith’s second brand? What are some other wines it included?
Charles Smith Wines
Included Kung Fu Girl, Velvet Devil
In what year did K Vintners receive two prestigious awards by Wine and Spirits magazine? What were those awards? A year later Food and Wine magazine named him what?
In 2008 he was recognized by Wine and Spirts magazine as one of the “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years” and as the “Winery of the Year” then in 2009 he was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food and Wine magazine.
K Vintners provides the backbone of what wines? What other wines does this include?
Backbone of the House of Smith Wines which also includes Substance, and Sixto
In what category is David Lett?
Winery Founder and Winemaker: Eyrie Vineyards
David Lett was born in what year and passed when?
Born in 1939 and died October 9th 2008
David Lett was a pioneer in what regions wine industry?
Oregon
David Lett gained what nickname due to what actions in what year?
Gained the nickname Papa Pinot due to he and his wife planting the first vineyard and cultivating their first Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris in Oregon in the 1970s
What one of David Lett’s wines showed highly during what event and where again the following year?
The Eyrie Vineyards 1975 South Block Reserve Pinot Noir in the Wine Olympiad in Paris in 1979 and then again in 1980 in Burgundy.
In what category is Mike Grgich?
Winery Owner: Grgich Estate
What are some major accolades and things Mike Grgich has received and done for the wine industry?
Vintner Hall of Fame inductee, his wines have won a stream of Californian and International prizes within the last 50 years. He helped pioneer a number of significant breakthroughs in Californian winemaking techniques.
What event in 1976 is Mike Grgich most known for? What happened at this event?
The Judgement of Paris where the Chardonnay he crafted for Chateau Montelena beat out the top French wines in the category.
In what category is Manfred Krankl?
Winemaker: Sine Qua Non (SQN)
What is Manfred Krankl’s winery Sine Qua Non (SQN) known for?
Known for their Rhone style blends with limited production. All their releases are allocated and sold directly to their mailing list (5- 10 year wait list).
In what year did Manfred Krankl and his wife begin making their own wines? In what year did their Syrah receive 95 points form Robert Barker?
1994, and 1995
What is Manfred Krankl’s winery Sine Qua Non (SQN) average annual production? What other thing does he do for SQN?
3,500 cases
He also designs the provocative labels
In what category is Philippe Melka?
Winemaker: Melka, Roy Estate, Moone- Tsai
How many years has Philippe Melka devoted to winemaking in what wine region?
15 years to winemaking in Napa Valley
Philippe Melka was named by what by what famous wine critic?
One of the top 9 wine consultants by Robert Parker
What are some of California’s, cult wines that Philippe Melka consults for?
Cliff Lede
Roy Estate
Hundred Acre
What quoted conviction does Philippe Melka and his wife ascribe to?
“A grape must tell the story of its native soil.”
In what category is Chuck Wagner?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Caymus Vineyards
How old was Chuck Wagner when he joined his parents to create Caymus Vineyards? What did his father believe in?
19
His father believed in making wines with character, complexity and consistency.
What one of Chuck Wagner’s Caymus Vineyard wines won what award. What is the unique event that happened to them afterwards?
1984 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon won Wine Spectator’s 1989 Wine of the Year award. Five years later they won this award again, making them the only wine to do so.
In what year was Chuck Wagner awarded another Wine Spectator award? What award was it?
2007, Wine Spectator’s Distinguished Service Award
Chuck Wagner along with two of his children also produce what wines?
1858 wines (WD)
What wines do Chuck Wagner’s children produce?
Charlie Wagner: Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Conundrum
Jenny Wagner: Emmolo
In what category is Joe Wagner?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Copper Cane
Joe Wagner founded what wines?
Belle Glos and Meiomi
Joe Wagner’s Copper Cane includes what wines?
Belle Glos
Tuli (WD)
Torial (WD)
Vennstone (WD)
Boen
Quilt
The Willametter Journal (WD)
Carne Humana
Beran
Joe Wagner sold what one of his popular brands to who and in what year?
Meiomi to Constellation in 2015
In what category is Agoston Haraszthy?
Winemaker and Historical Figure
When was Agoston Haraszthy born and when did he pass away?
Born August 30th 1812
Died July 6th 1869
What was Agoston Haraszthy’s heritage and what is he known for?
Hungarian- American
Pioneering winemaker in Wisconsin and California, one of the first men to plant vineyards in Wisconsin.
What are some titles Agoston Haraszthy earned during his lifetime?
“Father of California Viticulture”
“Father of Modern Winemaking in California”
What vineyard did Agoston Haraszthy found? Where was it? What is it known by now?
Buena Vista vineyard in Sonoma California now known as Buena Vista Carneros
In what year did Agoston Haraszthy write a report? What was that report’s title? Who was it published by? What is that report recognized as?
In 1858 he wrote “Reports on Grapes and Wine of California” published by California State Agricultural Society. This report was recognized as the first treatise on winemaking written and published in California.
When was Agoston Haraszthy inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame by the Culinary Institute of America?
2007
In what category is Mia Klein?
Winemaker: Cimarossa, Low Places, Selene
What wine region is Mia Klein a veteran of? How long has she been there? What university did she earn her degree from? What was the degree she earned?
30 year veteran of Napa Valley, earned her degree in enology from UC Davis
Who did Mia Klein start working for? What did she then go on to do and where?
Started working for Chappellet and Robert Pepi. Then went onto consult for Spottswood, Araujo Estate, Viader, and Dalla Valle
In what year did Mia Klein create her own label. What was is called?
1991, Selene
Who did Mia Klein most recently join? In what year was this? What his her current focus?
Joined Cimarossa in 2009. He focus is on the diverse terrain of the property and believes that the place and terroir is equally important in winemaking.
In what category is Stephen Tanzer?
Wine Critic
Stephen Tanzer is the Editor and publisher of what? Since when has he been doing this? What is his expertise in?
International Wine Cellar, since 1985. Expertise on Burgundy, Piemonte, California, Washington State, South Africa, and Bordeaux wines.
In what publications has Stephen Tazer also written columns for?
Food and Wine Magazine and Forbes FYI
Stephen Tazers books include what two popular titles?
The Wine Access Buyer’s Guide and the Wine Magazine’s Official Wine Guide
What publication bought out International Wine Cellar? When was this? Who now owns these publications and where are they available at today?
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous on November 18th 2014. Both publication are now available on the Vinous website.
Dick Ponzi quit what job due to his objections to the Vietnam War.
Engineering, designed rides for Disneyland.
Where did Dick Ponzi move to and what did he decide to grow there?
Moved to Willamette to grow the delicate Pinot Noir grapes
Lacking the funds to purchase equipment to harvest delicate Pinot Noir grapes Dick Ponzi did what instead?
Developed the needed machinery himeself
What is different about the way Dick Ponzi and his family did what with their vineyards? How long has the family maintained the winery and vineyards for?
They planted their vineyards for clonal diversity and have been maintained the winery and vineyards for 45 years.
In what category is David Tate?
Winemaker: Barnett Vineyards, Tate
Where does David Tate work? What does he do there and When did he start?
Winemaker and General Manager of Barnett Vineyards since 2007
Where did David Tate work before becoming general manager at Barnett Vineyards?
Ridge Vineyards and Domaine Richeaume
David Tate aid in instruction in what exams?
The WSET Program
David Tate and his wife started what business in what year?
Tate Wines
In what category is David Abreu?
Winery Owner and Winemaker
David Abreu is a 3rd generation rancher and has founded, worked and managed what famed vineyards?
Founded Abreu Vineyards in 1980
Founded David Abreu Vineyards Management
Worked at Caymus Vineyards
Managed Inglenook Winery
David Abreu’s company has raised grapes for what wineries?
Blanket Estate
Staglin Family Vineyards
Grace Family Vineyards
Harlan Estate
David Abreu and what other individual lease and planted what vineyard and released what wine in what year?
Richard Forman, Thorevilos Vineyard, Cabernet, 2000
In what category is Gustav Niebaum?
Wine Maker and Historical Figure: Inglenook
In what year was Gustav Neibaum born? In what year did he pass?
1842- 1908
In what year did Gustav Neibaum establish what famous winery? Where was the winery established?
Established Inglenook Winery at Rutherford, California in 1879
What accolades has Gustav Neibaum received?
Won gold medals in the Worlds Fair in Paris in 1889 and won 19 gold medals in 1919 at the Panama - Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco. In 2007 he was inducted into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame.
In what category is Philip Togni?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Philip Togni
Philip Togni was first in a long line of legendary winemakers for what winery?
Chappellet
What famous critic considers what one of Philip Togni’s wines to be one of the finest California wines every made?
Robert Parker considers the 1969 Chappellet Cabernet to be one of the finest California wines ever produced.
Where did Philip Togni purchase vineyards and in what year was this? What do his wines focus on?
Spring Mountain in 1981, his wines focus on a ageworthy Margaux- type blend
In what category is Jim Barbour?
Winery Owner and Vineyard Management: Barbour
How many years of experience does Jim Barbour have working in Napa Valley? He founded what winery in what year?
35 years, founded Barbour Vineyards in 1990
Jim Barbour currently manages and consults how many acres of premium vineyard? What other well known vineyards has he managed?
400 acres, managed Amuse Bouche, Barnett Vineyards, La Sirena Vineyards, and Hundred Acre Vineyards
Jim Barbour produces a wine under the Barbour label that is made by what acclaimed winemaker?
Cecila Welch
In what category is Christian Moueix?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Dominus Estate
Christian Moueix is a what nationality winemaker?
French
In what capacity is Christian Moueix associated with what famous wine company?
Winemaker and president of Etablissements Jean- Pierre Moueix (Petrus), a leading wine company of Bordeaux’s Right Bank and is the sole owner of Dominus Estate.
What is Christian Moueix’s focus? How does he do this?
He adapted French technicality to the California conditions, and his focus is on dry farming for both ecological measures and to produce high quality grapes.
What ranch did Christian Moueix acquire? Where was this and in what year?
Schmidt Ranch in Oakville in 2008
What accolades has Christian Moueix gained over the years?
Man of the year by Decanter Magazine
Distinquished Service Award by Wine Spectator 2011
In what category is David Phinney?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Orin Swift
David Phinney was introduced to wine in what year? What introduced him?
In 1995 it took a trip to Florence, Italy which introduced him to wine.
When David Phinney graduated college what was his first wine related job? Who did he work for, what did he do, and what year was this?
Worked for Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker.
In what year did David Phinney found a new company? What was this company’s name and why was it named this?
Founded Orin Swift Cellars in 1998. Orin after his father’s middle name and Swift was his mother’s middle name.
David Phinney owns how many acres of vineyards in what country?
300 acres in France
David Phinney sold what one of his brands to what company? What year was this and what does he do now?
Sold The Prisoner brand to Constellation and then sold Orin Swift to Gallo in 2016. He is still a winemaker and still owns his Destinations label. He also owns and is the distiller of Savage & Cook spirts brand.
In what category is Randy Dunn?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Dunn Vineyards
In what year did Randy Dunn’s family move and where did they move to?
Moved to Angwin in 1979
Where did Randy Dunn plant his first vineyards?
On the mountain
Randy Dunn has made wines for what wineries? Under what label does he currently make wines?
Caymus, Livingston, La Jota, Pahlmeyer, and Palmaz. He currently makes wines under the Feather label for Long Shadow Vintner’s group in Washington State.
Randy Dunn is a vocal advocate for what?
Lower alcohol wines.
In what category is Russell Bevan?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Bevan Cellars
Russell Bevan is what kind of winemaker? When did he create his first professional wine?
He is self- taught and created his first professional wine in 2005.
Russell Bevan received what prestigious honor in what year? What was this honor for?
Honored with Robert Parker’s 100 point score for his 2011 Tin Box
In what category is Warren Winiarski?
Winemaker: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Where and when did Warren Winirski start his career? In what year did another figure ask Warren to work for them? In what capacity was he asked to work?
Started at Souverain Winery in 1964, asked by Robert Mondavi to become his winemaker.
In what year did Warren Winiarski leave Robert Mondavi? Where did he move to and what did he start there?
Moved to Colorado in 1966 and became one of the people who started the Colorado wine industry.
In what year did Warren Winiarski by a ranch? Where was this and how big was it? What did he turn this ranch into?
In 1970 he bought a 50 acre ranch in Napa Valley and turned it into a vineyard and started making wine as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
Warren Winiarski’s wine was selected for what event? What happened in this event?
His 1973 Stag’s Leap Vintage Cabernet was selected for competition at the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 where it placed first out of all French and Californian reds.
Where is a bottle of Warren Winiarski’s winning cab displayed now? What was it declared and when was this declaration? In what year was Warren then inducted into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame?
The winning cab is now displayed at the Smithsonian Museum, and in 2013 they declared it as “one of the 101 objects that made America.” He was inducted in 2009.
In what category is Rob Lloyd?
Winemaker: Lloyd Cellars
Where did Rob Lloyd start his career? Where did he go from there and what did he decide to do once he was there.
Started his career as a cellar employee at Cakebread and then went to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars as Tasting Room Manager before deciding to to become a winemaker and graduating UC Davis in 1999.
Where did Rob Llyod intern while in college? After college what did he become?
Interned at Kent Rasmussen Winery then became an Enologist and after that Assistant Winemaker at La Crema
Where did Rob Llyod become a head winemaker at? What happened while he was here and when was this?
became winemaker at Rombauer Vineyards, during which the winery was named by Wine Spectator as one of the Top 100 wines in the world in 2007.
Rob Llyod established what company? What year was this and what does that company do now?
Established Lloy Wine Consulting in 2008. Today they work with clients to craft great translations of each vineyard.
In what category is Christopher Baron?
Winery Owner and Winemaker: Cayuse Vineyards
Where did Christopher Baron go to internship? When was this and where did he go after?
Interned in Walla Walla in 1993 and then moved back to Oregon.
What did Christopher Baron buy? What was it known as and why was it known as this?
Bought what others viewed as Walla Walla Valley’s “Worst Farmland” because of all the stones that littered the fields.
When did Chrispoher Baron plant his first vineyard? What did he name it after? How many vineyards has he grown to now?
Planted his first vineyard in 1997. He named after the Native American tribe whose name was derived from the French word for stones, “cailloux” he has grown now to eight vineyards.
In what category is Anna Monticelli?
Winemaker and Winery Owner
Where did Anna Monticelli earn her degree from? What places did she work at after college?
Earned her degree from Cal Davis, then worked at Cheval Blanc before moving back to Napa and working at Seavy and then under Phillippe Melka at Bryant Family.
What is Anna Monticelli’s current job? When did she start this and who is the owners of her job. What else does she do here?
Winemaker at Pina Cellars owned by the Pina brothers. She started in 2007 and also produces her own Ilaria wines at Pina
What did she form with her husband? What is his name and who did she collaborate with?
She formed Vino Filicitas with her husband Mario in collaboration with Kimberly Jones
Where does Anna Monticelli’s company Vino Filicatas produce wines for?
California
Piedmont
Tuscanny
Abruzzo
Friuli (which include Stack House and Tether)
In what category is Paul Hobbs?
Winery Owner and Winemaker
Paul Hobbs is what kind of winemaker? Where does he make wine?
World- renowned winemaker who literally makes wines across the globe.
Where did Paul Hobbs’ fame begin?
In California where his eponymous winery and its offshoot, Crossbarn are among the most highly regarded in the region.
Who are some of partnerships that Paul Hobbs is involved with?
Vina Cobos in Argentina
Hillick & Hobbs in Finger Lakes
Crocus in Cahors
Yacoubain- Hobbs in Armenia
Alveredos- Hobbs in Galicia Spain
In what category is Andy Erickson?
Winemaker and Winery Owner
How did Andy Erickson become hooked on wine? Where did he go on to study? Who did he work for while studying?
Became hooked on wine after working a harvest at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Then studied Enology at Cal Davis during which he worked at Spottswood and Saintsberry.
Andy Erickson spent how many years working between what wineries?
10 years between Harlan, Staglin Family, and Screaming Eagle.
In what year did Andy Erickson begin focusing on what?
In 2003 he began focusing on consulting for wineries such as Dalla Valle, and his own projects Leviathan and Favia
In what category is Benoit Tourquette?
Winemaker and Winery Owner
Benoit Torquette made the switch to what subject after working where?
Switched to Oenology after working a bottling line in Bordeaux
Where did Benoit Torquette go after college and who mentored him?
Went to America where he was mentored by Michel Rolland and Andy Erickson
Benoit Torquette started his own what, and what was it called?
Labeling company called Fait- Main
Where was Benoit Torquette’s first full time position? What happened while he was here?
Realm where the 2011 vintage netted Realm and Benoit two perfect 100 scores from Robert Parker.
What does Benoit Tourquette do now?
He remains partner at Realm as well as heading his own projects Fait- Main and Teeter Totter.
In what category is James Suckling?
Wine Writer
When and where did James Suckling begin writing about wine? What did he do here?
Began writing about wine in 1981 when he was hired by Wine Spectator as an Assist Editor.
Where did James Suckling move to? After how many years at Wine Spectator was this and what did he do once he moved?
He moved to Paris after 4 years to become the European Bureau Chief and European Editor of Wine Spectator’s sister publication Cigar Aficionado.
James Suckling started a new form of wine writing in what year? What did he start?
He started jamessuckling.com in 2010
What did James Suckling tell Total Wine & More members in 2020?
He addressed the notion that he gives inflated scores by noting in his long career wines have simply become better. He believes his ratings are consistent throughout his career which means a 90 point wine today would be a 90 point wine 30 years ago.
In what category is Andy Beckstoffer?
Wine Grower
When did Andy Beckstoffer begin his career and where? What role did he play here?
Began at Heublein in 1966 where he played a critical roll in that company’s purchase of the venerable Beauleu Vineyards, Inglenook, and Italian Swiss Colony Wines.
In what year did he move to California and what did he do once he was here?
Moved in 1970 and established Vinifera Development Corp for Heublein which he subsequently purchased in 1973, thus establishing the first properties in what would become a portfolio of California’s most sought after vineyards.
What was Andy Beckstoffer credited with? When was this?
Credited with launching the vineyard designated wine movement in 1980.
In what year did Andy Beckstoffer purchase what vineyard? This vineyard became the first vineyard of what? What other vineyards are now included?
Purchased Las Peiedras in 1983 which was the first vineyard of the Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards which now includes To Kalon, Georges III, Dr Crane and Missouri Hopper.
In what category is Keith Emerson?
Winemaker
Where and when did Keith Emerson begin his career?
Started as an associate winemaker at Gundlach Bundschu in 2000 after graduating from Cal Davis.
Keith Emerson spent a year with what two companies immediately after Gundlach Bundschu?
Cakebread and a vintage at New Zealand’s Palliser Estate.
Keith Emerson got what position at what vineyard where he works closely with what individual?
Winemaker position at Vineyard 29 where he works closely with Philip Melka and Aida wines. While overseeing the CRU portfolio.
Who are some of the individuls Keith Emerson currently consults?
Robert Craig
Martin Ray
Keith Emerson now produces his own grapes. What two labels does he produce under and what grape is produced under each label?
Cabernet under Emerson Brown
Pinot Noir under Sonria
In what category is Tony Biagi?
Winemaker and Winery Owner
After graduating at what college, Tony Biagi went on to completing internships at what two places before landing his first full time position where?
Graduated from Cal Davis, then interned at Dry Creek Vineyards and Hess before taking his first full time position at Duckhorn.
Tony Biagi has since been winemaker or consulting winemaker for what producers and labels? Where is he a part owner at?
Plumpjack
Cade
Clos du Val
Amici
Part owner at Hourglass plus his own label Patria
Tony Biagi received what special award in what year?
Winemaker of the Year by Antonio Gallo’s Vinous in 2020.
In what category is Merry Edwards ?
Winemaker and Winery Owner
How did Merry Edwards come to wine?
By using her mother’s cookbooks from the CA Wine Advisory Board
Merry Edwards was already an amature what by the time she graduated what school in what year?
Already an amature winemaker by the time she graduated Cal Berkley in 1970.
Where was Merry Edwards first winemaking post? Where did she move after?
Mount Eden Vineyards, then moved to Sonoma
Merry Edwards helped build what winery where she developed what?
Matanzas Creek where she developed a unique style of Sauvignon Blanc
Mary Edwards founded what winery after purchasing of what vineyard?
Marry Edwards, after purchasing a Russian River Valley Vineyard.
Mary Edwards hand picked her successor before she passed. Who was this successor? What year is this?
Heidi von der Mehden in 2018
