Ask ten people “What is Zinfandel?”, and you will get ten different answers. In this episode, your host, Leslie Sbrocco will talk with five winemakers of the big names in the World of Zinfandel to give you their educated answers to that elusive question.
Join Leslie now for Episode One, and let’s get smarter!
Born in Ithaca, New York, and raised in California, Brandon’s interest in wine originated with his grandparents who collected rare wines. During Brandon’s upbringing he was invited to enjoy some of these rare wines. “I was always mystified and intrigued by the traditions and stories involved with each bottle of wine,” says Brandon.
Brandon was offered the assistant winemaker position at Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles, CA upon returning to the US. Here he worked with Zinfandel from some of the most sought-after vineyards on the Central Coast, producing many noteworthy and award winning wines. His success at Peachy Canyon brought him to the attention of Dan Goldfield of Dutton Goldfield winery in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County, where Brandon served as the assistant winemaker. During his four years at Dutton Goldfield, Brandon mastered cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; well-structured wines with profound flavor. His experience producing world-class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel made Brandon the perfect winemaker for Armida Winery, where he made elegant, single-vineyard wines beginning in 2010. Currently at Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves, he is now creating the masterpiece of his life!
When not making wine you’ll often find Brandon in the tasting room conversing with friends and customers and sharing his love of wine. When he isn’t at the winery Brandon acts as the President of the Board of Directors of ZAP, Zinfandel Advocates and Producers.
Randle Johnson has made wine in Napa for over forty years. After stints at Souverain Winery, Mayacamas Vineyards, and Stags' Leap, Randle became the winemaker at The Hess Collection in 1983. Now Randle brings his extensive experience and knowledge to his own wines for the Calafia Cellars.
Randle worked with the Napa Valley microclimates as a vineyard manager and cellar master of Mayacamus Vineyards. He has honed his wine making skills as the winemaker for Stags’ Leap Vineyard, and as a special projects manager creating exceptional wines from Mt. Veeder Mountain grapes for the Hess Collection.
In 1979, Randle began Calafia Wines, named after the queen of California. Early on, he specialized in Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa and Sonoma sides of the Mt. Veeder ridge. In 1991, Randle began making Malbec, creating a new direction in his style, and planting Malbec in his personal vineyard. Also in 1991, Randle and MaryLee were married next to this estate vineyard in St. Helena. Together, they have expanded the Calafia portfolio to include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, an Estate Bordeaux Blend, Verdelho and Rosé.
Randle has also been active with Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2012.
Jeff’s winemaking style continues to evolve but there are three core concepts that he follows year after year: Make the best wine possible from the highest quality fruit, and from the vineyards that showcase the terroir and unique character that sets our wines apart.
A graduate of UC Davis with a degree in biochemistry, Neeley first worked in cancer research for a biotech firm in South San Francisco. Every vacation, he would end up in wine country. And he started to realize that winemaking was like food science and being a chef—two things he loves. Neeley decided to pursue a path in wine, and went back to Davis to earn a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology. He completed his degree in 2003, and worked his first harvest internship that year at Trefethen Vineyards.
Neeley landed his first full-time wine job working in the lab for Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon, then took an enologist position at Schug in Sonoma. Then, in 2008, he got a call from Trefethen to join up as their assistant winemaker, and as luck would have it, the winemaker changed jobs and Neeley was promoted within a couple of months to winemaker. He stayed at Trefethen until 2015, then worked two vintages for Dave Phinney at Orin Swift Cellars, and in 2016, after Orin Swift sold to Gallo, he joined Kenwood Vineyards. Neeley served as Kenwood’s winemaker until 2022 when he joined Kunde as their Senior Winemaker.
A good winemaker understands terroir. A great winemaker understands how to push the envelope to fully reveal what terroir can achieve, and since 2017, Emily Haines has done just that to shape the next generation of Terra d’Oro wines.
Emily graduated with a degree in biotechnology and biochemistry at Eastern Washington University. While working in a research lab she took a part-time stint in a tasting room. Seeing everything involved in the winemaking decisions appealed to her scientific mind, and she quit her steady job to try her hand at winemaking.
She honed her skills at the Wahluke Wine Company in Washington, ultimately serving as director of winemaking for its Millbrandt Vineyards, where she earned a number of 90+ scores from top critics.
The possibility to work with Terra d’Oro’s vineyard holdings attracted Emily to Amador County, and her skills and keen palate have continued to refine Terra d’Oro’s terroir-driven wines since then.
