By: Steven Noble Ledson
It is with great pride to receive the award of ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2020 from the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
Growing up as a little boy here in the small town of Kenwood CA, just a few miles between Sonoma and Santa Rosa, where I used to walk the sidewalks of the Historic Sonoma Plaza with my grandfather and father on our way to their favorite restaurants to enjoy lunch and of course wine with their cronies. It seemed Grandpa and Dad used to bring our family wine to every meal; I never imagined in my wildest dreams at that time that our Sonoma Valley Vineyards would produce such incredible grapes allowing me to be ‘Winemaker of the Year.’ It couldn’t come at a better time with everything that has gone on this year with wildfires, COVID-19, PG&E shut downs and smoke taint in the grapes; all causing so many of our employees to be without a full-time job. All Kenwood wineries and Sonoma Valley wineries are closed due to the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Thankfully with the announcement of the ‘Winemaker of the Year’ our Internet sales have kicked in to make up for being closed to tasting room traffic which has help us get through these challenging times.
Until the shut down occurred, our winery and tasting rooms were full daily with our private wine tasting experiences. Our private tastings included a tour of the Castle Vineyards and the Castle Winery where our family pictures are portrayed dating back to the late 1700’s. We have always been and continue to be one of the best Sonoma Valley wineries to visit; not just for the wine, but the learning experience of the history of all Sonoma Valley wineries and the other Kenwood wineries near us.
We miss all of you and can’t wait until the stay-at-home order is lifted as we have so many impeccable wines to share with you; hopefully by early spring we are in full swing and stay that way.