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In
1874 Jean Laurent, an immigrant from Bordeaux, France,
started his Laurent Winery on the current site of
Markham Vineyards. Laurent's first winery was an insignificant
wooden structure, which he replaced with a 6000 square
foot stone winery in 1879 to meet the demands of his
growing winery production. Laurent was one of the
top-ten wine producers in Napa County. In 1890, Laurent
died at the young age of 53 and over the next 87 years
the Laurent winery changed ownership many times.
Bruce
Markham arrived in the Napa Valley almost 100 years
after Laurent, also looking to start a winery. Markham
bought the Yountville vineyard in 1975, the Calistoga
vineyard in 1976, the old Laurent Winery in 1977 and
the Oak Knoll vineyard in 1978. With almost 225 planted
acres and a winery, Bruce Markham founded Markham
Vineyards in 1978 and the old Laurent Winery was reborn.
Markham
focused on Cabernet Sauvignon in its early days and
introduced the Markham Merlot with the 1980 vintage.
From 1978 to 1988 the winery's production increased
from 3,500 cases to 20,000 cases. The wine quality
and praise from wine critics and consumers increased
as well.
In
1988, the old Laurent Winery once again rose like
a phoenix to take on another new life. The winery
was sold to Mercian Corporation and began an ambitious
four-year, multi-million dollar renovation, expansion
and vineyard-replanting program. These efforts would
more than double the capacity and make Markham one
of the most advanced, stunning winemaking facilities
in the country. Even through the dust of the renovation,
Markham was able to produce three of the number-one
rated wines from California, as judged by Wine Spectator
magazine.
With
350 acres of vineyard strategically located in several
of Napa Valley’s best growing regions, Markham
Vineyards selects grapes from several microclimates
to achieve balanced and rich wines. Knowledge and
experience are combined with Mother Nature to produce
grapes for Markham’s award winning wines. Our
ranches allow us to focus on ‘estate’ designate
wines here in our tasting room, while additionally
creating consistent blends each and every vintage.
Bryan
Del Bondio
President
Winemaking
is a Del Bondio family tradition. Bryan's grandparents
settled in the Napa Valley over 100 years ago. His
father, Al, worked at Inglenook for 45 years and taught
his son about the unique and challenging art and science
of winemaking. His mother, Marie, also spent 40 years
at Inglenook.
Bryan's formal education was completed in 1977 when
he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Viticulture
from the University of California, Davis. In 1977
Bryan joined Markham Vineyards as General Manager,
and in January of 1988 was promoted to President.
When you visit the Winery you may run into Bryan's
children and possible future Markham employees, Lauren,
Lina & Peter.
Kimberlee
Nicholls
Winemaker
After
graduating with a degree in biology from Willamette
University, Kimberlee Nicholls moved from the small
coastal town of Long Beach, Washington to California.
Kimberlee's desire to use her biology degree led her
to the position of Laboratory Technician at Napa Valley's
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in 1989.
There she began to expand her understanding beyond
the chemistry of winemaking. Eventually, attention
to detail and strong analytical skills earned Kimberlee
the position of Lab Director. John Gibson, former
winemaker at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, saw in Kimberlee
unusually adept tasting skills. Confident in her innate
ability, he encouraged her to "always trust in
your palate."
In 1993, Kimberlee came to Markham Vineyards as Enologist
to establish an extensive laboratory program and become
an integral part of the winemaking team. After four
years of hands-on experience in the vineyards and
in the winery, she was promoted to Associate Winemaker
in 1997.
Kimberlee's interest in all facets of the industry,
from grape growing to wine blending and lab work,
as well as twelve years of experience in California
wineries, led to her appointment as Winemaker at Markham
Vineyards in November, 2001. As such, her scope of
responsibility extends beyond a single winery.
Throughout her career in the wine industry, Kimberlee
has been inspired and encouraged by the winemakers,
grape growers and other viticulturalists she has worked
alongside. And true to the words of John Gibson long
ago, her palate and tasting skills are acknowledged
to be some of the finest in the industry.
James
W. Coughlin, Jr.
Associate Winemaker
Born
and raised in the Bay Area, James was fortunate to
stay close to home and study at U.C. Davis. Graduating
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics,
not to mention plenty of course work in viticulture
and enology, it seemed only natural to move to Napa
and get to work! Training at Robert Keenan Winery,
and later as cellar master at Merryvale Vineyards,
James was able to work side-by-side with some of the
finest winemakers (and their outstanding vineyards)
in the Napa Valley.
With an opportunity to become winemaker in 1996, James
jumped at a chance to make wine for Renwood Winery
in Amador county. The experience of managing a winery
from start to finish, working individually with growers
to produce vineyard designated, old vine Zinfandel
and Barbera, proved invaluable to his continued winemaking
education. James' experience with century old vines
made him a natural choice to move into the winemaking
position at Fritz Winery along the Dry Creek Valley
in Sonoma County and further hone his skills.
Of course, life moves full circle and James had returned
home with his family and the skill and knowledge that
have made him the perfect choice on Markham's winemaking
team. His two teenage boys keep him busy which is
why you might also find him tinkering in the garage
restoring an old British car or racing his bicycle.
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