Category: Judges

After moving to Tahoe in the late 1990’s to pursue his dream of Olympic Freestyle Skiing, Jeff inevitably landed in the perfect “work nights and play days” industry of restaurants. This is where wine was first introduced to the Jaegarmeister drinking future winemaker. Fast-forward through a failed ski career, thirteen years in restaurants, a narrow escape from opening a brick and mortar wine shop in New York, and, Jeff found himself as a “mature” student in the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology program. Post-graduation, a short stint at Merry Edwards and Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, CA, led to a position at the esteemed Dutton-Goldfield Winery where Jeff is currently the Associate Winemaker.

Steve Rasmussen’s winemaking career has spanned over two decades. He currently owns and operates SLO Bottling (a mobile bottling company), Westgate Cellars in Santa Maria, California and consults for a select few custom crush clients including Sierra Madre Vineyards. He also partnered with the band Foghat in 2007 to launch their new brand Foghat Cellar.

Rasmussen was introduced to winemaking quite literally during an “Introduction to Winemaking” class at UC Davis. He admittedly “was bitten by the bug,” and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fermentation Science in 1981. After stints at Mondavi properties in Lodi and Oakville, he got his first enologist position in 1984 at Corbett Canyon in Arroyo Grande. “It introduced me to the Central Coast,” including some Sierra Madre Vineyard Pinot Noir during the 1985 harvest, “which opened my eyes to how good Pinot could be.” In 1986, Rasmussen became the winemaker for the esteemed Talley Vineyard label, where he remained until 2007, and where he experienced Sierra Madre Vineyard fruit via clients in the winery’s custom crush program. “It (the SMV fruit) was always sassier and spicier” than many of other Pinots, Rasmussen remembered.

Over the years, Rasmussen also collaborated in winemaking efforts in the Paso Robles area and worked five harvests in Argentina with eight different wineries. He credits this international experience with not only developing his Spanish skills, but also giving him “a bigger picture”” and informing his winemaking towards “flavorful, distinctive, interesting wines that are drinkable and more consumable.” In 2006, Rasmussen joined the Sierra Madre Vineyard project, which he calls “right up his alley” because of his enthusiasm for and approach to winemaking. “The vineyard offers some of the best Pinot Noir in the state,” he said, “and they have also pleasantly surprised a lot of people with the Chardonnay – it’s just really a world class location for both of these varietals.”

These days in addition to being Foghat Cellars Winemaker, Steve is a Winemaker for NakedWines.com and will be also be offering three terrific new vintages on that label. He never stops!

As a first generation native Californian born of Mexican descent, Oscar grew up in the San Joaquin Valley near Fresno. Growing up as the son of farm working family, his parents taught him how to care for grapevines and the soil. Oscar developed a strong connection to the land and the vine which developed into a passion that became his life’s pursuit. As his farming career developed, so did his interest in wine and his curiosity in the sciences of viticulture and enology. He enrolled in California State University Fresno to quench his thirst for knowledge. Upon graduating from Fresno State in 2003 with a degree in enology, Oscar Ramos-Torres initiated his career in the wine industry with his first crush as assistant winemaker to Jim Van Haun at Cedar View Winery.

Ramos Torres Winery

Growing up in a big Italian family, Winemaker Chris Pisani learned to appreciate the very aspects that make Napa Valley so memorable: great people, history, wine and food. During his formative years, Chris studied chemistry in college while experimenting with winemaking at home. He quickly was hooked, and Chris was destined to move to the Napa Valley wine country with his wife, Ina.

Chris followed the path of many Napa Valley renowned winemakers and attended UC Davis to study viticulture and enology. Chris fell headfirst into the world of winemaking and started down the path that would lead him to ZD Wines in 1996. As winemaker, Chris along with third generation assistant winemaker Brandon deLeuze, is responsible for producing ZD’s world class wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet. They strive to make the best wines in Napa Valley, and focus on quality, consistency, and style.

http://www.zdwines.com/

Bryan Parker joined Terlato Wine Group in June 2003, and is the winemaker for Terlato Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Parker came to Terlato Family Vineyards from Pine Ridge Winery in Napa Valley, where he was assistant winemaker for two years.

A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in chemistry, Parker earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Illinois, and also studied viticulture and enology extensively at University of California – Davis. Bryan has particular expertise in growing and vinifying fruit from the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley appellations of Sonoma, crafting wines that are balanced, elegant and characteristic of their place.

Mike has led the charge at Crystal Basin since 1988. A veteran of numerous harvests and cork-pulling contests, Mike contributes the drive and vision for the company. A Silicon Valley escapee, Mike also lived in France, where he learned to love Rhone wines. Mike has been very lucky to find high-quality Rhone grapes and put together a talented team to make and market Crystal Basin’s wines. Mike has always gets wildly motivated when people say things cannot be done.

Crystal Basin Cellars

Fritz was born in a small town in the Black Forest, in the German territory of Baden, one of the country’s biggest and most important wine regions. He went on to graduate from Geisenheim University, the leading enology school in Europe, and fell in love with wine. After Geisenheim, Fritz did his Army service for eighteen months. Twelve hours after his discharge, he was on a plane to Texas, where—on the referral of a friend—he’d landed a job at a small winery. “It was not a successful venture,” Fritz remembers. “Texas is a very difficult place to grow grapes.”

One thing led to another, and Fritz—again on the referral of his friend—got a job in the laboratory at Charles Krug Winery, in the Napa Valley, although it was just for the harvest. After the harvest, he met Mark Theis who then hired him as Assistant Winemaker at Husch.

Kendall-Jackson