RED SWEEPSTAKE

Jeff Runquist

Jeff Runquist Wines

2018 Syrah Three Way Vineyard Paso Robles, California, $30

Jeff Runquist started his adventure in the wine industry in 1977 when he interned with Seagrams at their Paul Masson Sherry Cellars in Madera while studying enology at UC Davis.

Upon graduating in 1980, he worked in the cellar at Montevina in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley and was promoted to winemaker in 1982. After a three year stint at the Napa Valley Cooperative Winery from 1987 through 1990, Jeff became the winemaker for the J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in San Jose. It was during his tenure at J. Lohr that it became clear that he was going to have to make wine for himself.

In 1995, Jeff crushed ten tons of zinfandel from Massoni Ranch in Amador’s Shenandoah Valley and in April 1997, he released 700 cases of that Zinfandel under his own label. In 1996 and 1997, Jeff made his wine at the Sycamore Creek Vineyards in Morgan Hill and then from 1998 through the 2010 vintage at the McManis Family Vineyards in Ripon.

In 2006, he finally returned to Amador County having purchased a small 5acre walnut orchard on Shenandoah Road. In the spring of 2008, Jeff and Margie opened their tasting room. Production facilities followed and Jeff was able to crush the majority of their production in Amador in 2011.

RED SWEEPSTAKE Christian Roguenant and Sofia Fedotova

Lightpost Winery

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles, California, $55

Christian Roguenant grew up in Burgundy, France, and received his winemaking degree at the University of Dijon. He made wines on five continents and worked as a winemaker for Champagne Deutz, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, Baileyana, Tangent, True Myth, Rosenthal Estate Wines, Surfrider and Carpe Diem. He was named Winemaker of the Year in San Luis Obispo County and in 2018, Christian joined John Mauro and Sofia Fedotova’s team as their head winemaker.

Sofia Fedotova has a distinguished career, from college teacher to a successful entrepreneur. Sofia holds a winemaking certificate from UC Davis Viticulture and Enology program and a master’s in Power Engineering, Finances and Management. Her versatile approach and passion for California wines make it a perfect pairing for creating distinctive luxury brand wines.