OUR WINEMAKERS
David Dobson, Winemaker, White Wines
Dave believes that the valleys along California’s coastline are a treasure trove of world class vineyard sites just waiting to be discovered. The unrivaled combination of continental sun and warmth paired with cool winds that sweep off of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay produce ideal conditions for growing wine grapes. The uniqueness of Napa Valley and its potential for producing the greatest wines in the world is what motivates Dave as a winemaker.
Answering his calling as a winemaker, he began to artfully contribute to California’s winemaking industry in the early 1990s. As a winemaker at Sonoma Creek Winery, Dave was recognized for creating award winning premium and super premium wines. He was then selected by Kendall-Jackson Winery in 1995 to produce the renowned winery’s premium wines. In 2001, he was recruited by Rutherford Hill Winery where he fashioned a remarkable turnaround story by creating wines that were celebrated around the region. The winery earned its first 90+ score in more than a decade from Wine Spectator in 2004; the same year its 2001 Merlot was selected as one of the Top 100 Wines of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle. Dave then served as the vice president of winemaking and operation for Artesa Winery followed by a tenure as winemaker at Carneros Vintners.
Dobson received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He studied enology between 1986-89 within the Masters of Food Science program at UC Davis.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from John Hopkins University in Baltimore. He also studied enology within the Master of Food Science program at the University of California, Davis.
David Stevens, Winemaker, Red Wines
David’s affection for crafting fine wines began to flourish after an expected summer appointment as a National Park Ranger was not realized and he joined a fledgling winery in his hometown of Walla Walla, Washington.
Since the early days of his distinguished career, he has developed a passion for his craft and has created wines for many world renowned wineries in Napa Valley; most notably as the winemaker for storied Bouchaine Winery as a celebrated crafter of award winning Pinot Noir and red blends. Prior to his tenure at the family owned winery, David was appointed associate winemaker at Domain Chandon in Yountville where he honed his winemaking skills for more than three years. In the early ‘90s, he served as an assistant winemaker at Freemark Abbey, a century-old winery, in St. Helena.
David’s expertise as a winemaker has made him a preferred wine judge throughout the world. He has traveled the globe extensively including North America, South America and Europe.
He earned a Master of Science degree in enology from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.