> the winemaker

About Ken

Before entering the vineyard and wine business, Ken Wornick began his career with a degree in Geology in 1980 from the University of the Pacific followed by geology fieldwork around the world for the Bechtel Corporation. He received his M.B.A. in 1986 from San Francisco State University, followed by work in the food industry, corporate marketing, and real estate. He has also completed numerous extension courses with the viticulture and enology departments at U.C. Davis.s

Our Philosophy

Blending the Ancient with the Modern

If one were to 'wipe the slate clean' and look out into the world for weather, soil, and geographical features that are analogous to Northern California, we might not look to central France as has been the historical tradition, but rather to Italy and Spain. Whereas France's Bordeaux and Burgundy regions often have late-season rain and often cloudy summer weather, southern Italy and portions of Spain enjoy hotter days and bluer skies during harvest, and are generally more arid and mountainous, as with our home in northern California. We believe that there exists a stronger analogy to Italian and Spanish weather and soil, and thus grape varieties and management techniques, which in turn have the possibility of outperforming some of the traditional varietals now popular in California. While we do not forecast that Cabernet Sauvignon will ever lose its title as the 'king of varietals', we do believe an opportunity exists for new vineyards and wineries to set themselves apart by pursuing creative varietal opportunities.