I arrived in California from the Midwest to work in plant research and to pursue my Master's Degree at the University of California, Davis. After completing my degree in 1989, I began working at Joseph Phelps Vineyards where I cut my winemaking teeth on the great Cabernets that Phelps produced - "Backus", "Eisele" and of course "Insignia". Working with these incredible wines gave me not only a passion for winemaking, but specifically for Cabernet. After a short time period where I focused on sparkling wine and Pinot Noir I found my way back to Cab while making wine at Oakville Ranch, Viader Vineyards, and Anomaly Vineyards.