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7 QUESTIONS WITH…
19 / WENTE FAMILY ESTATES GRAPEVINE
x
FALL 2015
W
ith a master's degree in
enology from UC Davis
and years of experience
at vineyards and winer-
ies in Napa Valley, Sonoma County,
and Santa Barbara, Robbie Meyer
brings expertise, passion, and innova-
tion to his new post as Director of
Winemaking at Murrieta's Well.
As the Director, he'll be working
largely on Small Lot harvesting and
blending. And as he's demonstrated
throughout his entire career, Meyer
will be focused on inspiring colleagues
and consumers to consider where
grapes are grown and from which
varietals wines are produced.
What are you most excited about
when it comes to working at Murri-
eta's Well? I love the sense of history
the winery carries. This property has
been around for more than a century,
and having the opportunity to work
on the estate is literally like being a
part of California wine history.
When did you first realize you
wanted a career out of making
wine? My love of food and wine
began at an early age in my native
city of Marietta, Ga., and led me to
serve as a restaurant wine steward
when I was 18 years old.
What is your favorite part of
crafting a new wine? Making wine is
an artistic experience. There is nothing
quite like growing fruit in the vine-
yard, caring for it in the winery, and
crafting it into something people can
enjoy in many ways. At Murrieta's
Well, I'm fortunate to be working with
the descendants of vines from Chateau
d'Yquem and Chateau Margaux – two
of the world's most renowned
chateaux – which certainly help me
make a fine bottle of wine.
What is the most challenging part
of making wines? With grape grow-
ing and winemaking, the clock is al-
ways ticking. We want to make sure
we do everything possible to ensure
quality and excellence, and it must be
done in a timely manner.
How are you incorporating the
heritage of Murrieta's Well into your
new wines? We are working the same
vineyard land that was first planted in
the 1880s. Our mission will always be
to produce wines that reflect those
soils and our growing climate.
What is your vision when it comes
to creating new wines at Murrieta's
Well? It's not about something new.
It's simply about redoubling our ef-
forts to look into every particular as-
pect of the vineyard and winery to
ensure we are making the best wines
that can be produced from the land.
When it comes to winemaking, are
you inspired by anything in particu-
lar? I'm always inspired when I hear
from guests directly. For me, when
someone tells me they love our wine,
we know we've done our job.
"
For me, when someone tells me they love
our wine, we know we've done our job.
"
– ROBBIE MEYER,
Director of Winemaking at Murrieta's Well
ROBBIE MEYER
n Meet the new Director of Winemaking at Murrieta's Well
