David is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at UC Davis.  He began his wine journey after several years of home beer and mead brewing.  He developed an interest and ultimately a passion for wine and winemaking after taking a wine appreciation course at Sierra Community College.  Setting his sights quite a bit higher, he attended UC Davis where he honed his skills and dirtied his hands working in the campus vineyards.

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David’s first year after graduating from UC Davis was spent making boutique/small lot production wines in Amador County and the surrounding Sierra Foothills.  From 2014 to 2021, David was the winemaker and General Manager of Gnekow Family Winery where his specialty was Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel. 

David likes his wines in a “California with an edge of European” style; fruit forward and bold, yet crisp and refreshing.  Lodi has proven to be the perfect Mediterranean climate for many of his favorite varietals to grow. 

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When Dave is not working, you will find him traveling with his wife, Katie. When he is not traveling he enjoys gardening, fishing or entertaining for friends and family. 

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