Winemaker Tom Rinaldi is a true pioneer of Napa Valley Merlot. As the founding winemaker at now legendary Duckhorn Vineyards, Tom has an impressive 30+ year legacy in Napa Valley. A former military man, Tom also earned a degree in Enology from the University of California, Davis before spending 22 years at Duckhorn. From there Tom moved on to Chalone Vineyard and then to Provenance Vineyards as well as consulting for fine wineries such as Bolen Family Estates. An avid biker, Tom is often seen riding his bike through the vineyards and around the Napa Valley. When discussing his passion for winemaking Tom says, “I love everything from anticipating the vineyards’ seasons to experimenting with new technologies. I love the way we use innovative practices right alongside traditional methods. For example, even as we’re using recent technology for sophisticated vineyard mapping, we’re also evaluating grapes by that most time-honored of methods—tasting.”
Read an incredible interview with Tom Rinaldi.