David Ramey is the founder and winemaker at Ramey Wine Cellars in Sonoma, CA. David is among a distinguished group of pioneering American vintners who revolutionized modern-day winemaking and elevated California to the forefront of the international wine community. Hailed as “Professor Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, David’s efforts have helped shape the way many wines in the United States are made today. He is steeped in the classical Bordeaux traditions of crafting age-worthy wines, having worked in Bordeaux twice. Some of his contributions to modern-day winemaking include pioneering whole-cluster pressing of white grapes; the use of oxidized juice in white winemaking; sur lies aging of white wines in barrel; malolactic fermentation of Chardonnay; native yeast fermentations; and bottling without filtration. He has been making wine since the 1970s.
Media Inquiries: david@rameywine.com | https://www.rameywine.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
Using centuries-old winemaking techniques of France with the great fruit our wonderful California climate provides. Upon finishing my Master’s degree in enology at UC Davis in 1979, I was the only one in our class who went to France to work a harvest with Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix in Pomerol. I also visited numerous wineries in Burgundy, the Loire, and the Rhône, asking the winemakers (in French) how they made their wines. We still use those techniques, with some we’ve developed ourselves (like whole-cluster pressing of Chardonnay grapes).
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
Well, I’d love to complete building the winery at our vineyard, Westside Farms. We’re still saving up money to do that…
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
I’d have to say our Russian River Valley Chardonnay. The single vineyards are more expensive, but this is our largest production wine. It’s poured by the glass in many fine restaurants across the United States, and some other countries. “It’s delicious!”, says David. I concur. Read the wine review here.
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
Wine makes people happy! It brings family and friends together over a meal and facilitates conversation and sharing. It makes food taste better!