Napa Winemakers Flashcards
In 1961 he established his winery in Napa Valley and eventually worked with Phillipe Rothschild to to create To Kalon Vineyard
Robert Mondavi. His winery was the first major winery built in Napa Valley following the repeal of the Prohibition Act in 1933. Was a major exporter of premium California wine in the 1970s
She’s the “First Lady of Wine” and created Screaming Eagle (1992-2006)
Heidi Barrett
He is the current winemaker for Chateau Montelena and worked under Mike Grgich at Chateau Montelena during the vintage that won at Judgement of Paris (1976)
Jim Barrett
His single estate, single varietal “Hundred Acre” wines sell in Total Wine for $650. Sells from a waiting list and has been awarded 22 100 point scores over the past 20 years by Wine Advocate.
Jayson Woodbridge. Former investment banker turned winemaker.
Owns Cherry Pie and Layer Cake
Owns Simi Winery. Worked for Robert Mondavi for his expertise in oak ageing. Moved on to Opus One. Grows grapes from Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in Napa and sites in Sonoma too.
Paul Hobbs, founded Paul Hobbs Winery in 1991 and Vina Cobos (Argentina) in 1999. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker
Another Justin, however, this one co-founded a winery that focused on crafting Cabernet Sauvignon. You could call them “Specialists in Cabernet.”
Justin Meyer
Silver Oak began over a handshake between two friends with a bold vision: focus on one varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged exclusively in American oak and worthy of cellaring for decades to come.
Ray Twomey Duncan, a Colorado entrepreneur who began investing in California vineyards in the late 1960s, and Justin Meyer, a Christian Brothers-trained winemaker, co-founded Silver Oak out of a Napa Valley dairy barn in 1972, producing only 1,000 cases of their inaugural vintage.
She was honored as Winemaker of the Year in 2008 by Food and Wine Magazine and one of Forbes’ Top 10 Winemakers in 2006. Founded her own Napa winery after traveling and working for other wineries.
Celia Welch, consulting winemaker to some of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon estates, is proud to welcome you to her own endeavor, CORRA.
Grapes from three prime vineyards in three of Napa Valley’s premium growing regions, Oakville, Rutherford and Pritchard Hill, combine to create the powerful yet elegant Corra Cabernet Sauvignon.
This “A Student” of winemaking was on the first two California wines to be scored 100 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate. To date he has received 25 perfect scores from Robert Parker.
Thomas Rivers Brown
His Total Wine products are Vermeil, Caterwaul, Wallis Estates, Schrader, and Revana
In 1976 the Chardonnay he crafted for Chateau Montelena beat out the top French Wines in the category for the Judgement of Paris in 1976
Mike Grgich, owner of Grgich Hills Estate
His chardonnay wines have been served at multiple presendential dinners
Winemaker for Moone Tsai, Melka and Roy Estate
Philippe Melka. He has consulted with many wineries such as CLiff Lede, Roy Estate and Hundred Acre.
He founded Caymus Vineyards, along with his parents, at age 19.
Chuck Wagner, producer of 1858 wines. The winery received Wine Spectators “Wine of the Year” twice. One for their 1984 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon. Five years later they received the award again, making them the only wine in the world to receive the honor.
He sold his popular Meiomi brand to Constellation in 2015. Makes Torial, Tuli, Vennstone, Boen, Quilt, the Willametter Journal. Carne Humana and Beran are also his brands.
Joe Wagner
She is the consulting winemaker for Cimarossa, a WD Howell Mountain Cabernet.
Mia Klein, one of America’s most sought-after consulting winemakers. In addition to her work with the Palmaz winery and vineyards, Mia has consulted for Araujo Estate, Spottswoode, Dalla Valle and Viader. Mia also produces Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Merlot under her own Selene label. Food & Wine named her Winemaker of the Year in 2003.
He is the French winemaker behind Teeter-Totter. His Realm 2011 Cabernet received TWO PERFECT 100 scores from Robert Parker.
Benoit Tourquette
Unquestionably a rising superstar in California, Frenchman Benoit Touquette makes a bevy of wines from throughout Napa Valley, all of which show impeccable winemaking and balanced, layered profiles.
Born in Lyon France and gaining his education from the University of Bordeaux, Benoit worked at numerous French wineries before getting a job (with the help of his friend and mentor Michel Rolland) in Napa Valley with Andy Erickson. He consulted for the likes of Screaming Eagle, Ovid and Arietta. Today, Benoit is the winemaker for Realm Cellars, Hartwell, and Kata, as well as numerous other labels, including his own project Fait-Main (which translates to “hand-made”).
This wine writer has a foot in both wine and cigars
James Suckling (born September 29, 1958) is an American wine and cigar critic and former Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief of Wine Spectator as well as European Editor of Cigar Aficionado. Suckling is internationally regarded as one of the world’s most influential wine critics, and one of the most experienced critics of vintage cigars. Started jamessuckling.com
‘A wine that we rate 90 points or more is outstanding (A). It’s a wine we want to drink a glass of and is an outstanding purchase. If we rate a wine 95 points or more (A+), it is a must buy and a bottle that we want to drink in its entirety! If we rate a wine less than 88 points, it might still be worth buying but proceed with caution. I certainly wouldn’t recommend spending your money on anything rated lower. Wines rated from barrel, or unfinished wines, are rated with two-point ranges such as 90-91 or 92-93.”
Andy Beckstoffer has been credited with launching the vineyard designated wine movement. His holdings include which premium vineyards?
To Kalon, Dr Crane, Georges III,
Currently, Beckstoffer is one of the top 20 largest grape growers in California, the largest non-winery owner of Napa Valley and North Coast vineyards and the largest seller of premium wine grapes in the Napa and North Coast areas providing grapes to more than 100 premium wineries. In 2018, Andy sold 9,902 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon to wineries in Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties priced at $45,617,000, making Beckstoffer Vineyards arguably the largest producer of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, value-wise, in the world.
Andy also played a major role in Napa County’s Winery Definition Ordinance (WDO), which brought about key measures for preserving agriculture in Napa Valley, as well as requirements than Napa wineries must have a minimum of 75% grapes from Napa in their wines.
This winemaker has ties to Palliser Estate, Cakebread, Gundlach Bundschu , Vineyard 29, Robert Craig and Martin Ray.
Keith Emerson
I have been making wine since 1998 beginning at Cakebread Cellars and after that, became enologist at Sonoma’s historical Gundlach Bundschu Winery. In 2004 a sabbatical took me to Martinborough, New Zeland to work the harvest for Palliser Estate Wines. Since 2005, I have been Director of Winemaking (and now Vice President) for Vineyard 29 overseeing the winery’s portfolio as well as that of the ultra-premium custom crush clientele. In addition to my own brands, Emerson Brown and Sonria, I also make wine for Robert Craig Winery, Vinoce, Knighton Family, Labry, Sang-Froid, Vineyard 36, Martin Ray and Gundlach Bundschu.
Country born: United States
Education: Enology and Viticulture degree, 1999, University of California, Davis.
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
2013 Vineyard 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 100 pts, Wine Advocate
Small lot wines from micro-vineyards is the speciality of this British Columbia native who also teaches for WSET
A. Paul Draper
B. Dick Ponzi
C. Thomas Rivers Brown
D. David Tate
David Tate, a native of British Columbia, Canada, is the Winemaker and Founder of TATE along with his wife Suzanne Tate. Established in 2011, TATE is known for single expression wines from independently owned, micro-vineyards across the valley floor and mountain sides of the Napa Valley.
David is also the General Manager and Winemaker for Barnett Vineyards atop Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley since 2007 as well as the winemaker and investor in a winery – La Caccia- from Tuscany.
3rd generation rancher, turned winery owner and winemaker
David Abreu
In 1980, David formed David Abreu Vineyard Management, working with pioneering winemaker Richard Forman to manage ranching operations at Inglenook Winery. Abreu and Forman became friends and traveled frequently to Bordeaux, where they observed French winemaking operations. They brought back French rootstock, trellis designs, and Bordelais planting and farming techniques.
Abreu’s fame spread as other wineries hired Abreu’s company to plant and manage ranching operations. By 1999 he was considered the premier viticulturist for premium grapes in Napa Valley. David Abreu Vineyard Management has farmed grapes for some of the most respected wineries in Napa Valley including Blankiet Estate, Staglin Family Vineyards, Jones Family Vineyards, Bressler Vineyards, Colgin Cellars, Pahlmeyer Vineyard, Sloan Estate, Bryant Family Vineyard, Fisher Vineyards, Oakford Vineyards, Araujo Estate Wines, Grace Family Vineyards, Viader Vineyards, and Harlan Estate, among others. In 2006 Abreu was hired to replant vineyards at Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards.
Abreu’s label concentrates exclusively on estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon blends. Distribution is extremely limited and sold primarily to members on their direct mailing list. A number of online retails offer Abreu Vineyards wine, from unknown sources, with prices ranging from $400 to $800 or more per 750ml.
Like David Abreu, this winemaker and viticulturalist has consulted for premium vineyards in Napa.
Jim Barbour
ABOUT BARBOUR VINEYARD (founded in 1990)
JIM BARBOUR WAS RAISED ON HIS FAMILY’S RANCH IN RUTHERFORD WHERE HE LEARNED THE LIFE OF FARMING, A PASSION FOR LAND, AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT HARD WORK BREEDS SUCCESS.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-DAVIS, JIM RETURNED TO NAPA VALLEY TO BEGIN A CAREER THAT WOULD LEAD HIM TO BECOME ONE OF NAPA VALLEY’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER VITICULTURISTS. FOR OVER 40 YEARS, HE HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO HIS CRAFT, PRODUCING PREMIUM WINE GRAPES USING TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY HAND-FARMING METHODS. JIM HAS PLANTED AND MANAGED MANY PROMINENT VINEYARDS IN THE VALLEY, INCLUDING HUNDRED ACRE, GRACE FAMILY, CHECKERBOARD, BLANKIET, REVANA, HARBISON ESTATE, GANDONA ESTATE, THE VINEYARDIST, KEEVER, HUSIC, PILLAR ROCK, DR STEPHENS, AND MORE.
ST. HELENA IS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR GROWING CABERNET SAUVIGNON. LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF NAPA VALLEY AND FLANKED BY THE MAYACAMAS AND VACA MOUNTAIN RANGES, ITS WIDTH NARROWS TO AS LITTLE AS A HALF MILE.
BARBOUR VINEYARD IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE VALLEY, JUST SOUTH OF THE TOWN OF ST. HELENA AND BENEFITS FROM LINGERING WARM AIR REFLECTING OFF THE WESTERN HILLSIDE, TEMPERED BY MILD MARINE WINDS IN THE EVENING. IT’S GRAVELLY AND LOAMY SOILS ARE THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWING GRAPES WITH A GOOD BALANCE OF ACID AND SUGAR.
Think of him when you think of Prisoner and Orin Swift. He also is owner/distiller for Savage & Cook spirits brand.
California-born Phinney, in fewer than ten years after his winery-work debut in Napa Valley in 1997, became one of the most successful winemakers ever to emerge from the Golden State. Now an elder statesman of the industry (at a mere 45 years of age), Phinney recalls how, (after falling in love with wine during college years in Florence) he maneuvered his way into working the harvest at Robert Mondavi (in 1997), then worked his way up the wine chain at that vinous holy of holies. The very next year, he started his own Napa Valley brand (Orin Swift Cellars), and wisely made his first act the purchase of some terrific Napa grapes…though he wasn’t sure what he was going to do with them. Soon, he figured it out….creating a rich, seductive, runaway best-selling wine called The Prisoner (an unusual blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Charbono)…eventually selling off his brands and assets to the tune of almost 300 million dollars! As if that weren’t enough, Phinney today produces wines from vineyards he owns in four European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Greece)…AND…..he now works for Orin Swift (the company he founded) in charge of production and winemaking.
Worked for Caymus and then went on up the mountain to farm! His bottles have a distinctive red seal.
Randy Dunn. Founder, farmer, activist and winemaking pioneer of Howell Mountain. Randy started his wine career working for Charlie Wagner as the first enologist for Caymus Vineyards, and never looked back. Now after all these years, not a lot has changed. More of a farmer, he’s hands-on in vineyards most days. His love for Howell Mountain led him to be instrumental in establishing it as a sub-AVA of Napa Valley. And if he’s not farming the mountain, he’s mountain biking on it, flying his plane over it, or finding ways to preserve it for future generations. He is happy to be called a dirt-loving hippie, but you’d probably think he’s more of a cowboy.
Was hired by Ambassador John Loeb as winemaker for his Sonoma-Loeb Chardonnays (now owned by Chappellet), although he makes his own wine, Titus Vineyards.
Philip Titus
In college, Phillip studied agronomy, viticulture and enology at the University of California at Davis. He also traveled to Burgundy and Bordeaux to gain more exposure to great European wines. After graduation, he began his career working at Quail Ridge Winery, Stratford and Chappellet. In 1990 he was named Winemaker at Chappellet and continues to make the wines there today. That same year he also became Winemaker at his family’s Titus Vineyards. Phillip focuses on harvesting the grapes at optimal maturity, whereby showcasing the unique characteristics of each lot and vineyard block.
Another “A Student” by Robert Parker, getting 100 points for his 2011 Tin Box.
Russell Bevan of Bevan Cellars.
Another winemaker who started with Robert Mondavi, he helped start the COlorado wine industry and later Stag’s Leap Vineayrd. Most notably, his bottle of 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet is on display in the Smithsonian, AND, he won the 1976 Judgement of Paris for the same wine!
Warren Winiarski (born 1928) is a Napa Valley winemaker and the founder and former proprietor of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
Winiarski owns and operates Arcadia Vineyards in the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley, which produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 1976, Winiarski won the Judgment of Paris blind tasting for his 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.
His work history includes Cakebread, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, La Crema and Rombauer.
Rob Lloyd. While working at winemaker for Rombauer, the winery was named by Wine Spectator as one of the Top 1– wine sin the world (2007).
ROB LLOYD’S HISTORICAL TIMELINE
Lloyd Cellars: Owner, Winemaker (2008 – present)
Prescription Vineyards: Owner, Winemaker (2015 – present)
Lloyd Consulting: Owner, Winemaker (2008 – present)
Jessup Cellars, Handwritten, Vineyard 511
JaM Cellars: Cofounder and Original Winemaker (Butter Chardonnay)
Rombauer: Assistant Winemaker (2001–2003), Associate Winemaker (2003–2006), Winemaker (2006–2008)
La Crema: Enologist & Assistant Winemaker (1999 – 2001)
This world-renowned winemaker is involved in partnerships around the world. Worked for Robert Mondavi as an enologist for his expertise in oak ageing and became a part of the inaugural team for Mondavi’s Opus One.
Paul Hobbs
A first trip to Argentina in 1988 marked the beginning of a South American winemaking career that carries on today with his wines from Viña Cobos, and his status as a pioneer who helped launch malbec’s rise to fame.
He is considered a pioneer of rich, bold, full- bodied Cabernet and was the producer of Insignia. After his death his sons now run the winery. Also makes Pinot Noir using grapes from Sonoma.
Joseph Phelps
Joseph Phelps was one of Napa’s pioneers, part of a generation that moved to the valley in the 1960s and ’70s and revitalized its wine scene. Phelps made his career as a building contractor in Colorado, then established an office in San Francisco. His company won a bid to build Souverain Winery in Sonoma and Phelps started spending time in wine country and made Cabernet and Zinfandel in the basement of his home using Napa grapes. Contemplating a career change, he purchased a 600-acre cattle ranch in Spring Valley on Napa’s eastern side in 1973, near Heitz Cellar, and started planting vineyards and building a winery.
Phelps released his first wines—a Riesling and a Cabernet Sauvignon—that same year. Then, in 1974, he produced Insignia, a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties that is now recognized as one of Napa’s signature red wines. It was a radical approach to Napa Cabernet at the time—a proprietary label in which the vintage and winemaker determined the final blend. Insignia helped establish the winery as a leading Cabernet producer, with Phelps’ and winemaker Craig Williams’ 2002 bottling named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year in 2005.
