Meet the Winemakers

The 2020 harvest is officially underway and over the next few months, our winemaking team will be busy sorting fruit and filling tanks and barrels with the 2020 vintage.

Before we harvested the first few tons of Pinot Noir for our Sparkling program and our winemaking team disappeared into the cellar, we got them to answer a few fun questions about their favorite food & wine pairings, varietals they would choose to describe themselves and harvest theme songs. Read on to get to know some of the people behind each and every bottle of Niner wine!

Patrick muran

winemaker, has been with niner since 2009

1. What are you looking forward to most this harvest?
I am looking forward to seeing what a cool spring and early summer will translate to in terms of fruit quality. 

2. What is your favorite season in the vineyard and why?
Late fall, because of the wonderful weather and rest that follows a busy summer/ harvest season.

3. Which varietal or wine would you pick to describe yourself and why?
Barolo, because it is bullish, takes a long time to mature and is rewarding with a bit of patience. 

4. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day in the winery during harvest?
Surfing or swimming.

5. What is your most unique talent or skill?
Carpentry or composting. 

6. What is your go-to Niner wine and food pairing?
Silhouette du Coeur with lemon juice sauteed rockfish. 

7. If you had to pick one song to listen to for the duration of harvest, what would it be?
The Final Countdown by Europe, because it is what we play at the end of harvest! 
 

Molly BOhlman

winemaker, has been with niner since 2014

1. What are you looking forward to most this harvest?
Trying out our new concrete tanks on Albariño & Grenache.

2. What is your favorite season in the vineyard and why?
Fall, because the weather is beautiful and the winery is abuzz with activity.

3. What varietal or wine would you pick to describe yourself and why?
Pinot Noir, because I believe in the power of elegance.

4. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day in the winery during harvest?
Cuddle and read stories with my son, then, SLEEP!

5. What is your most unique talent or skill?
I can whistle equally well blowing in or out.

5. What is your go-to Niner wine and food pairing?
Albariño and a cheese and charcuterie platter.

5. If you had to pick one song to listen to for the duration of harvest, what would it be?
Pretty Little Ditty by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Patrick Martinez

assistant winemaker, has been with niner since 2009

1. What are you looking forward to most this harvest? 
I always look forward to working with new faces and seeing returning characteristics of vineyard blocks in a whole new growing season. 

2. What is your favorite season in the vineyard and why?
Fall is my favorite season. The Mornings and evenings are so peaceful and you can smell the change in the weather. It’s refreshing. 

3. What varietal or wine would you pick to describe yourself and why?
Chardonnay - it's soft, rich and grows well with coastal influence. 

4. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day in the winery during harvest?
Head straight to the beach and jump into the water for a surf. 

5. What is your most unique talent or skill? 
I really like to paint, although I don’t get to do it much right now. 

6. What is your go-to Niner wine & food pairing? 
A big ol’ burger paired with Twisted Spur. 

7. If you had to pick one song to listen to for the duration of harvest, what would it be? 
An Ocean in Between the Waves by The War on Drugs.

Bricklyn cochran

enologist, has been with niner since 2015

1. What are you looking forward to most this harvest?
Getting to know all of the new interns!

2. What is your favorite season in the vineyard and why?
I love fall in the vineyards because the vines are so pretty when the leaves start to change color. Also, it means harvest is almost over!

3. What varietal or wine would you pick to describe yourself and why?
Sauvignon Blanc. It grows amazingly well in New Zealand. I worked a vintage there and I love everything about that country!

4. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day in the winery during harvest? 
Get home, open a cold beer and play with my dogs. 

5. What is your most unique talent or skill?
I love to bake and I have my own home baking business!

6. What is your go-to Niner wine and food pairing?
Syrah paired with charcuterie, bread and our Estate Olive Oil. 

7. If you had to pick one song to listen to for the duration of harvest, what would it be?
It would have to be "I hope" by Gaby Barret. She is my new favorite country artist.
 

hector Hernandez

cellar tech, has been with niner since 2013

1. What are you looking forward to most this harvest?
Spending time in the winery and just enjoying this harvest.

2. What is your favorite season in the vineyard and why?
Right now, harvest is my favorite time because it is fun to work with the grapes coming in from the vineyard and I love the smell of fermentation in the winery.

3. Which varietal or wine would you pick to describe yourself and why?
Grenache, because it is always surprising. 

4. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day in the winery during harvest?
Go home and chill with my family after a long day. 

5. What is your most unique talent or skill?
I enjoy helping people whenever I can.

6. What is your go-to Niner wine & food pairing?
Sauvignon Blanc and grilled salmon.

7. If you had to pick one song to listen to for the duration of harvest, what would it be?
YMCA by the Village People.
 

Troy Closser

cellar tech, has been with niner since 2015

1. What are you looking forward to most this harvest?
Grapes with my coffee!

2. What is your favorite season in the vineyard and why?
Spring, the lush green leaves make the whole area absolutely beautiful.

3. Which varietal or wine would you pick to describe yourself and why?
Carmenere, because it is spicy like my moves!

4. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day in the winery during harvest?
Enjoy an ice-cold beer with a game of disc golf.

5. What is your most unique talent or skill?
Drums. I've been playing for over 15 years and continue to hone my skills through disciplined practice.

6. What is your go-to Niner wine and food pairing?
Fried Chicken and Sangiovese! (scrumdiddlyumptious) 

7. If you had to pick one song to listen to for the duration of harvest, what would it be?
Viola Lee Blues by The Grateful Dead.