Meet the Winemaking Team

David Ramey - Consulting Winemaker

A select group of winemakers can be credited with revolutionizing modern day winemaking in California. They are the innovators who, some 20 years ago, brought Old World traditions back to a New World that had thrown in its lot with university scientists to make squeaky clean wines largely devoid of character. The goal of these new wave winemakers was to put terroir back into the bottle and create wines of unique distinction.

David Ramey is widely acknowledged to be among the wine pioneers whose efforts helped raise the bar for all American winemakers and brought California to the forefront of the international wine world. David’s groundbreaking work with indigenous yeasts and malolactic and barrel fermentation yielded a new California style that was richer, more lush and silky smooth than previously known. As a result, he created a benchmark style now emulated by many.

Although David followed a traditional path and received a graduate degree from the University of California at Davis, after working for the Moueix family at the renowned Chateau Pétrus David was introduced to the time-honored methods of winemaking in France.

David moved back to California and helped establish a number of wineries that would soon become household names. They include Chalk Hill, Matanzas Creek, Dominus Estate (owned by Christian Moueix, of Pétrus) and most recently, Rudd Estate.

Ramey Wine Cellars, which David owns with his wife, Carla, was founded in 1996. Today, in addition to making his own wines, Ramey consults for a number of wineries, including Rodney Strong Vineyards.

“Working with the Rodney Strong team is such a pleasure because of their, and particularly Tom Klein’s, focus on and dedication to wine quality. Couple that with their outstanding new vineyards in the eastern hills of Alexander Valley and you have a truly winning combination.”

David serves on the board of Family Winemakers of California and the executive board of Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed. He lives with his family in Healdsburg, not far from the Rodney Strong.