Remove duplicate and non-winery entries Removed: - "ahl" - duplicate of Ahlgren - "AL FARO" - not a winery Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Remove Dragonfly Cellars duplicate (now Odonata) Dragonfly Cellars is the former name of Odonata, which is already listed and linked in the directory. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Link missing winery entries and clean up duplicates Added links for 29 unlinked wineries that have wiki entries: - 910 Cellars, 3P Wine Company, A Tribute to Grace, Ankora, Anonymous Wine Collective - Ascona Vineyards, Besson Family Vineyards, Cameron Hughes, Claire Hill - Dorcich Family Vineyards, Frederick William Cellars, House Family Vineyards - Jean Edwards Cellars, Lion Ranch, Little Cloud Vineyard, Maison Areion - Medeiros Family Wines, Miramar Vineyards, Myka Cellars, Paul Masson - Relyea-Wood, Roberts Ranch, Sandlands, Scratch Wines, Ser, Stirm - Steven Kent Winery, Tass Vineyard & Winery, Tessier Winery, Verde Vineyards Removed duplicates and non-wineries: - Deleted "Burt and Wes" entry - Deleted "Barton Orchard" entry - Removed duplicate "Bottle Jack" entry (kept "Bottle Jack Wines") - Removed duplicate "bluecellars" entry (kept "Blue Cellars") Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Rename and clean up winery directory Renamed CELLARTRACKER-WINERIES.md to DIRECTORY-OF-WINERIES.md to remove source attribution. Made the following improvements: - Changed title from "CellarTracker Wineries" to "Directory of Wineries" - Removed reference to CellarTracker source in description - Fixed accent encoding issues throughout (Clos, Suenos, Becheur, Chateau, Cuvee, Cote, Cotiere, Methode, Cafe, Sjoden, Tondre) - Added location context for out-of-area wineries: Arista (Russian River), Bedrock (Sonoma), Bravium (Anderson Valley), Cliff Lede (Napa), Concannon (Livermore), Copain (Anderson Valley), Covenant (Napa), Darcie Kent (Livermore), Enfield (Napa), Greenwood Ridge (Mendocino), Kiona (Washington), Matthiasson (Napa), Moshin (Russian River), Paul Masson (historic), Pax (Sonoma), Saintsbury (Napa), Sandlands (Amador), Sebastiani (Sonoma), Snowden (Napa), Steven Kent (Livermore), Tolosa (SLO) Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update AHLGREN and merge Ahlgren Estate Vineyard information Expanded minimal entry into comprehensive winery history: - Added founders Dexter and Valerie Ahlgren - Documented winemaker succession: Dexter (1976-2000), Beth Ahlgren (2000-2016) - Added key timeline: 1976 founding, 2000 Dexter's stroke, 2005 retirement plans, 2016 closure - Integrated estate vineyard information (small Pinot Noir planting at Boulder Creek property) - Documented wine sources: Bates Ranch (SCM Bordeaux), Ventana (Monterey), Livermore Valley - Organized wines by region with better formatting - Added related entries and Wikipedia source - Changed status to Closed 2016 after no suitable buyer was found Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Create missing People entries - all 31 missing articles Major entries created with full research: - Paul Masson (1859-1940): "Champagne King of California", founded Mountain Winery 1905, National Register of Historic Places - Paul Draper: Ridge Vineyards chief winemaker 1969-2016, Decanter Man of the Year 2000, pioneered vineyard-designated wines and old vine Zinfandel revival - Dave Bennion (1929-1988): Ridge Vineyards founder 1959, first to label CA wines by vineyard/district, spearheaded Santa Cruz Mountains AVA creation, SRI robotics engineer - Kathryn Kennedy: Founded eponymous winery 1979 in Saratoga, known for world-class Estate Cabernet (600 cases/year), son Marty Mathis winemaker since 1981 - Greg Nolten (d. 2021): Zayante Vineyards founder 1984, planted vines by hand on own roots, dry-farmed, organic steward, vineyard now Green Earth - Peter Martin Ray: Son of Rusty Ray, owns historic Mt. Eden vineyard (1400ft elevation), grower for Arnot-Roberts/Birichino, Pinot planted 1940s/replanted 1979 Supporting entries created: - Dexter and Valerie Ahlgren (Ahlgren Vineyard) - Jeffrey Patterson (Mt. Eden Vineyards) - Jeff Emery (Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard) - Jerry Lohr (J. Lohr Vineyards) Stub entries created for remaining 20 people to complete People.md index Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Zayante Vineyards - winery closed, vineyard continues as Green Earth - Update ZAYANTE-VINEYARDS.md: mark winery as closed, Greg Nolten (founder/winemaker) died Jan 2021, vineyard planted by hand 1984 by Greg and Kathleen Starkey on own roots, dry-farmed since, bonded 1988, 18-acre estate near Felton, acquired 2024 by Charles and Sarah Liang and renamed Green Earth, continues to supply grapes to regional winemakers, historic 1875 vineyard uprooted during Prohibition Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Windy Oaks Estate and Woodside Vineyards - Update WINDY-OAKS.md: add Spencer Schultze as current winemaker (son, took over from founder Jim Schultze), founded 1999 starting with 3 acres Pinot (1996), expanded to 14 acres Pinot + 1 acre Chardonnay in Corralitos, "extreme minimal intervention" philosophy, three tasting room locations (Corralitos/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Carmel Valley) - Update WOODSIDE.md: comprehensive history from 1884 Emmett Rixford La Questa vineyard through Bob Mullen's 63-year tenure (1960-2025), sold to Jerold O'Brien/Silver Mountain Aug 2025, Bob Mullen died Nov 2025 at age 99, oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in USA, La Questa flagship wine, 2000 cases production limit Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Correct Varner Wine - no longer produces Santa Cruz Mountains wines - Update VARNER-WINE.md: clarify Spring Ridge Vineyard owned by Dr. Kirk Neely (not Varner), Varner no longer produces Santa Cruz Mountains wines, focus shifted to Santa Barbara/Paso Robles/Central Coast, former SCM vineyard-designated wines (Home/Amphitheater/Bee/Hidden/Picnic blocks) no longer produced Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Tondré Wines and Varner Wine - Update TONDRE-WINES.md: clarify Tondré Alarid as vegetable farmer who planted Pinot Noir "grapefield" (1997) in Santa Lucia Highlands, Tony Craig as winemaker (since 2003), Joe and Penny Alarid as owners, wines produced at Silver Mountain where Craig is also winemaker - Update VARNER-WINE.md: comprehensive update on twin brothers Bob and Jim Varner, Spring Ridge Vineyard planted 1980 in Portola Valley, dry farmed since 1988, handmade terroir-driven wines, multiple vineyard-designated blocks (Home/Amphitheater/Bee/Hidden/Picnic), Neely label for Dr. Kirk Neely's property, Foxglove value label, 2021 Wine & Spirits "Year's Best US Chardonnay" Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Thomas Fogarty Winery and Thomas Kruse Winery - Update THOMAS-FOGARTY.md: add Nathan Kandler as winemaker (2013-present) and General Manager (2025), hired 2004 by Michael Martella, Dr. Thomas Fogarty died Dec 28 2025 at age 91, 25 acres planted across 8 unique sites, Kandler believes SCM is most compelling region for Pinot/Chardonnay, produces limited production terroir-focused wines - Update THOMAS-KRUSE-WINERY.md: mark as closed, founded 1971 on Hecker Pass Highway, moved 1997 to 20-acre property in east Gilroy foothills (12 acres planted), Tom Kruse from Chicago moved to San Jose 1960s, laid-back cottage industry approach, experimented with Grignolino and Thompson Seedless Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Testarossa and The Mountain Winery - Update TESTAROSSA.md: Rob & Diana Jensen owners since 2000, Bill Brosseau Director of Winemaking, located in historic Novitiate Winery Los Gatos, specializes in Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, 93+ point reviews, 2024 Best in Silicon Valley, tasting daily 12-5pm, 107 Bistro & Wine Bar Thu-Sun with live music Thursdays 5pm - Update THE-MOUNTAIN-WINERY.md: owned by Chateau Masson LLC (Bill Hirschman), operated by AEG Live, historic Paul Masson property founded 1901, purchased by Rusty Ray 1936, renovated 6-acre estate vineyard 2004, primarily operates as 2500-seat outdoor amphitheater/event venue, wine tasting Fri-Sun 12-5pm, CA State Historic Register Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Add MOHI Wine entry - Create MOHI-WINE.md: intermediate brand name for former Sycamore Creek Vineyards under Frank Léal/Léal Hospitality ownership (2015), rebranded 2024 to MOHI Ranch at 12775 Uvas Road Morgan Hill, supplies Hotel MOHI, cross-references to Sycamore Creek Vineyards entry for full history Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Stroth-Hall Cellars, Sunrise Winery, and Sycamore Creek Vineyards - Update STROTH-HALL-CELLARS.md: founded 2004, leased space at Pinder Winery in Campbell with Travieso and Heart's Fire, vineyard-designated Syrah from SCM (Nelson Family/Zayante) plus Calistoga/Russian River/Eldorado, closed, Paul Stroth later with Silvertip Vineyards - Update SUNRISE-WINERY.md: founded 1976 Ben Lomond by 5 partners including Ron and Rolayne Stortz, moved 1982 to old Picchetti property Monte Bello Road, closed 1998 after 22 years, property taken over by Leslie Pantling who renamed it Picchetti Winery - Update SYCAMORE-CREEK-VINEYARDS.md: rebranded 2024 as MOHI Ranch (part of Léal Hospitality since 2015), historic Uvas Valley property (Marchetti family 100+ years), Terry/Mary Kay Parks (1975-1989), Morita Kazuaki/Sony (1989-2005), Bill/Carolyn Holt (2005-2015), now Frank Léal, open Sat-Sun 11-4pm Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Stefania Wine and Storrs Winery - Update STEFANIA-WINE.md: add Paul and Stefania Romero background (laid off during dotcom bust), UC Davis training, founded 2005 in San Jose, Stefania managed Chaine d'Or vineyard and made wine there before 2014 move to Gilroy (1800 Day Rd), 2015 opened tasting room in converted garage, 1st/3rd weekends 12-4pm - Update STORRS.md: add comprehensive history of Stephen Storrs and Pamela Bianchini-Storrs (UC Davis trained, worked Domaine Chandon/Felton Empire/Almaden), founded 1988 focusing on Burgundian varietals, 2001 purchased 60-acre Pleasant Valley/Corralitos property, 2007 established Hidden Springs estate vineyard, 2018 opened eco-friendly winery/tasting room, two locations (Santa Cruz and Corralitos) Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Soquel Vineyards and Spring Ridge - Update SOQUEL.md: reformat table, clarify twins Peter and Paul Bargetto left family Bargetto Winery (1987), partnered with Jon Morgan (winemaker), 4-acre estate vineyard on coastal side of Santa Cruz Mountains, sources from local vineyards and Lodi, 4500 cases, wines emphasize integrity and sense of place - Update SPRING-RIDGE.md: add structure to minimal entry, clarify as Varner family's second label, first vintage 2001 Chardonnay from younger Bee Block estate grapes Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Sones Cellars and Sonnet Wine Cellars - Update SONES-CELLARS.md: add owners Michael and Lois Sones, met on cruise ship mid-1980s, Michael studied Fermentation Science UC Davis, founded 2003, urban winery on Santa Cruz Westside (334B Ingalls St), specializes in Petite Sirah/Zinfandel, sustainable practices (organic/SIP vineyards), tasting Thu-Sun - Update SONNET.md: Tony Craig's label founded 2001 during David Bruce tenure, former Shakespearean actor from Newcastle England, vineyard-designated Pinot Noir from Santa Cruz Mountains/York Mountain/Russian River/Santa Lucia Highlands, some of most sought-after Pinot in California Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update SKOV and Solis Winery - Update SKOV.md: clarify short-lived winery (2011-2012) owned by David and Annette Hunt, Danish word for "forest", purchased Roudon-Smith (2003), partnered with Drewkes (2006), launched SKOV from Glenwood Oaks facility (2011), closed 2012 to spend time with teenage children, retained brand rights - Update SOLIS-WINERY.md: add Michael Vanni as winemaker, Vic & Michael took over from parents David & Valerie (2007), renamed from Bertero Winery (1989), Vanni Estate Vineyard operating 100+ years, specializes in Italian varietals (Barbera/Sangiovese/Fiano), tasting daily 12-5pm, 2009 Fiano Best in Class SFCWC Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Silver Mountain and Silvertip Vineyards - Update Silver-Mountain.md: add comprehensive history from 1972 discovery to 2025 Woodside acquisition, Tony Craig winemaker (2018-present), certified organic since 1980, 2100ft elevation 18-acre estate, destroyed in 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake/rebuilt 1995, tasting room locations - Update SILVERTIP-VINEYARDS.md: mark permanently closed Dec 31 2023, small family winery owned by Paul Stroth and Philip Nelson, minimalist winemaking philosophy, first vintages at Stroth-Hall Cellars (2008), later moved to Los Gatos vineyard Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Sensorium Wines and Sherrill Cellars - both closed - Update SENSORIUM-WINES.md: mark as closed, add Jeff Ritchey background (BS Geology UCSB, MS Enology UC Davis), winemaker at Clos LaChance, consulting winemaker for San Saba/Picchetti/Los Gatos Wine Co/Fleming-Jenkins, now COO of Clean Solar - Update SHERRILL-CELLARS.md: reformat table, clarify 1973 Woodside founding, 1977 moved to 25-acre Skyline Blvd property south of Thomas Fogarty, 2000 cases/year, Nat's USGS engineering career, closed 1995 when couple retired to Templeton Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Satori Cellars and Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards - Update SATORI-CELLARS.md: add history from 1993 prune orchard to 2006 first vintage, Tom Moller as owner/winemaker, 15-acre estate vineyard in Santa Clara Valley, tasting Sat-Sun 12-5pm, whimsical Zen-inspired wine names - Update SAVANNAH-CHANELLE-VINEYARDS.md: add winemaker Tony Craig (2003-present), Michael and Kellie Ballard owners since 1996, renamed after daughters Savannah and Chanel, detailed property history from pre-Prohibition Ville de Monmartre through Congress Springs era Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Add Besson Family Vineyards entry - Create BESSON-FAMILY-VINEYARDS.md: 5-generation family winery founded by Jean Auguste Besson (early 1900s), now owned by Denise Besson (4th gen) and James Fahey - Historic vineyard on 3575 Hecker Pass Road, Gilroy with oldest Grenache vines in California (1910), Zinfandel (1922), Mission vines (late 1800s) - Petite boutique winery open two weekends/month, produces award-winning wines from historic plantings Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update S section wineries and create Carter House Cellars entry - Update SAPID-WINES.md: note evolution to Jason-Stephens Winery, add founder Jason Goelz background at Cal Poly, partnership with Steve Dorcich, 10,000-sq-ft facility in Gilroy - Update SARAH'S-VINEYARD.md: reformat to standard table, add owner/winemaker Tim Slater (2001-present), 24-acre Mt. Madonna district estate, focus on Pinot Noir/Chardonnay/Rhône blends - Create CARTER-HOUSE-CELLARS.md: private winery founded 2018, Jason Goelz registered agent, operates 380-acre Lion Oaks Ranch vineyard (20 acres producing, expanding to 50), 350-1,150ft elevation - Update DORCICH-FAMILY-VINEYARDS.md: note 2023 facility scale-down, leased production facility to Ian Brand while maintaining tasting room, add timeline of Ian Brand collaboration (2018-2019, 2023+) Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Add Ascona Vineyard and Ken Swegles entries - Create ASCONA-VINEYARD.md: 14-acre vineyard at 2,500ft elevation on Summit Drive, planted 1999 (Mt Eden) and 2017 (Swan clone), 100% organic farming, supplies Big Basin Vineyards, Arnot-Roberts, and Madson Wines - Create people/KEN-SWEGLES.md: founder of Rhizos Viticulture (2016) with Abbey Chrystal, 16+ years viticulture experience, VP of Viticulture Association of SCM, co-founder of Madson Wines - Update People.md: add Ken Swegles to S section Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Add Little Cloud Vineyard entry Vineyard owned by Tom Pohorsky in Santa Cruz Mountains. Supplies grapes to Madson Wines (Cole Thomas, winemaker) for their Little Cloud Vineyard Pinot Noir. Example: 2017 vintage was 70% Little Cloud, 30% Savaria vineyard. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update S section start and add Prudy Foxx to People Updated wineries: - Sagebrush Winery: Closed, sold to Forty Stump in 2007 - Salamandre Wine Cellars: Dr. Wells Shoemaker retiring July 2024, over 40 years as BW #800, small lot Pinot in Aptos redwoods Created People entry: - Prudy Foxx: Pre-eminent SCM vineyard consultant, "Grape Whisperer", Foxx Viticulture founded 1997, ~80 clients, 100+ acres managed, holistic vineyard management, grand cru focus. Added to People.md. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update final R section wineries Updated: - Ross Vineyards: License expired 2010, likely closed - Rosscienda Vineyard: Complete update from HTML - Matthew De Silva winemaker, Nick Pisano vineyard manager, Prudy Foxx consultant, 3 acres Pinot/0.5 Chardonnay, 400 cases, built winery barn 2023 - Roudon-Smith: Relocated to Saratoga tasting room, San Carlos production, Al & Diane Drewke owners, Brandon Armitage winemaker, award-winning - Russian Ridge: Scott & Spencer Townsend father/son, San Carlos, Sat-Sun 1-5pm, multiple Double Gold awards Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Ridge: Trester Goetting no longer at winery User correction: Trester Goetting made only 2022 and 2023 vintages at Monte Bello before departing in 2024. Updated timeline and winemaking team section to reflect his departure. Current Monte Bello team: Lauren Lyall (Assistant Winemaker), John Olney overseeing winemaking operations. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update Ridge Vineyards winemaking team details Corrections based on user input: - Added Eric Baugher (COO/Winemaker 2016-2022, departed to Merus/Gali) - Noted Trester Goetting is winemaker but not head winemaker - Added Shauna Rosenblum at Lytton Springs (Zinfandel specialist) - Added Michael Bairdsmith at Lytton Springs (since 2014) - Added Lauren Lyall, Assistant Winemaker promoted 2025 - Updated John Olney to CEO (2026) - Expanded timeline with key personnel changes Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026

Update more R section wineries Updated: - Rexford Winery: Sam Miller co-owner/winemaker, 42 Ingalls Santa Cruz, Sat-Sun 1-5pm, single-vineyard Pinot/Chardonnay/Merlot - Rhys Vineyards: Kevin Harvey owner, Jeff Brinkman winemaker since 2006, 8 estate vineyards, world-class mountain viticulture - Ridge Vineyards: John Olney Head Winemaker/COO (2021), Trester Goetting Monte Bello winemaker (2022), three estates, flagship Monte Bello - River Run Vintners: JP Pawloski, Watsonville, website inactive/domain for sale, status unclear Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

scmwine committed Mar 31, 2026