BRANHAM Estate Wines

Winemaking has been my passion since 1971. A home winemaker since college days, I enrolled in the Graduate School at U.C. Davis in 1975. Studying Enology and Viticulture was an opportunity to work with some of the famous pioneers of California winemaking. Davis launched my career that has now lasted almost 40 years and is comprised of diverse worldwide wine related experiences. Working in wineries and vineyards has taken me from the Napa Valley to New Zealand, Healdsburg (CA), Santa Clara (CA) to Australia and back to the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Working in all facets of production, from cellar to field work, lab tech to winemaker has lead to the fulfillment of a lifelong goal to produce my own wine. Branham Estate Wines began in 1994 with the planting of the Branham Rockpile Vineyard. Purchased in 1989, my ranch consists of 410 acres of wilderness located in Northwest Sonoma County. Once a part of the historic Rock Pile Ranch the land is included in one of Sonoma County's newest AVAs Rockpile. Branham Rockpile Vineyard now consists of 19 acres planted with diverse varieties, including: Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Aglianico, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, and Movedre. In 1997, the Branham Obsidian Vineyard was purchased. This vineyard is located along the Napa River near the Silverado Trail and Bale Lane in the heart of the Napa Valley. This 10-acre vineyard consists of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1986. In 2004 60% of the acreage was replanted with new clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot. These two vineyards represent the heart and soul of Branham Estate Wines. I grow 95% of all fruit utilized in my wines. My first wine produced under the Branham label was the 1999 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. I am dedicated to producing high quality, hand-crafted wines, from estate grown grapes.