Calistoga, CA – Vintner Hugh Davies announces the promotion of Sean Thompson to Senior Winemaker for Schramsberg Vineyards Company. In this newly created position, Sean will oversee all aspects of Schramsberg sparkling wine and Davies Vineyards red wine production.
Initially hired at Schramsberg in 2006, as the assistant winemaker for the J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon program, Sean Thompson has steadily grown and guided the Davies family’s red wine program ever since. Initially focused on production of two Diamond Mountain District Estate Cabernet Sauvignons, the Davies red wine program has grown to include vineyard designated Pinot Noirs from sites across California’s North Coast and vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignons from sites within the Napa Valley. In addition to his responsibilities in making Davies red wines, over the last nine years Sean has also been responsible for managing all of the finishing activities for the sparkling wine program.
“Sean’s deep knowledge of both still and sparkling wine production makes him the ideal candidate to lead the team’s continued efforts,” says Hugh Davies. “He has helped us build lasting relationships with some of the best grape growers in the North Coast, while successfully managing the start-up of the new Davies Vineyards winery in St. Helena. We are excited to give Sean even greater responsibilities.”
In other key appointments, Dan Person was promoted to Associate Winemaker for Schramsberg Vineyards. Dan has worked at Schramsberg as the Assistant Winemaker since 2013. In that role, he was responsible for coordinating the day-to-day base wine making operations for all sparkling wines. He will now take on a larger leadership role managing the sparkling wine vineyard relations, sparkling wine blending and dosage preparation, while overseeing the larger staff associated with carrying out these activities.
Jessica Koga rejoins the Schramsberg winemaking team as an Associate Winemaker focused on Davies red wines and Schramsberg sparkling wine finishing activities. Having been the Schramsberg Vineyards Enologist from 2004 to 2007, she more recently has expanded her winemaking expertise in positions as the Assistant Winemaker at Vineyard 29 and Associate Winemaker at Gudlach Bundschu. Jessica will be responsible for the day-to-day winemaking activities at Davies Vineyards winery in St. Helena, as well as coordinating the bottling, riddling and disgorging processes for Schramsberg sparkling wines.
Located in Calistoga, California, Schramsberg Vineyards is dedicated to producing handcrafted wines using the méthode traditionnelle technique. Wines produced by the winery include the signature Reserve, J. Schram and J. Schram Rosé; the vintage dated Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Brut Rosé and Crémant Demi-sec; and the multi-vintage Mirabelle Brut and Brut Rosé. Located in St. Helena, California, Davies Vineyards focuses on vineyard designated Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons. The J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is wholly produced from the winery’s replanted vineyards on its historic Diamond Mountain vineyard property. For more information, please visit www.schramsberg.com and www.jdavies.us. Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards are represented nationally by Wilson Daniels Ltd., 707-963-9661.
