Q&A With Mindego Ridge Owner Dave Gollnick

March 10, 2016

Mindego Ridge is a 10-acre family owned, family farmed vineyard perched on a mountain slope that is its namesake. Owners Dave and Stacey Gollnick produce small lots of Pinor Noir and Chardonnay that express the character of this unique location. In anticipation of the upcoming Silicon Valley Wine Auction, happening on April 16th, we got to know more about Mindego Ridge through Dave's perspective. We look forward to tasting these wines next month...

ESV: What is special about your vineyard site and the way you make wine?

DG: Mindego Ridge's vineyard site resides on a steep south-facing slope in the western Santa Cruz Mountains with bucolic vistas of coastal Redwoods. Shallow top soils of silty clay loam reside over well-drained fractured shale subsoil. Our marine influenced microclimate is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean eight miles to the west and the San Francisco Bay twelve miles to the east. In this unique climatic zone, California’s late season heat spikes are moderated, ensuring the development of ample acidity. We are fortunate to have our wines made by cool-climate virtuoso, Ehren Jordan. Notorious for a ‘light touch’, Ehren crafts wines that express an authentic sense of place.

ESV: If you had to describe your Pinot Noir in one sentence, what would you say? Your Chardonnay?

DG: Pinot Noir – site driven, diverse clone selection, striking aromatics, with pomegranate, classic raspberry, bing cherry, spices and flowers on the palate, a wine of great depth, purity, balance and definition.

Chardonnay – vibrant and alive with crystalline purity and excellent varietal character, offers flavors of pear, apricot, lilies, yellow apple, white peach and a touch of brioche with a rich finish.

ESV: Who do you look up to in the wine industry?

DG: Rex Geitner – an amazing mentor and true friend – I think of him and miss him every day. Of course, Ehren Jordan and his stellar cellar mate, Savanna Wright. Ted Lemon, Josh Jensen, Yoon Ha.

ESV: What are you most looking forward to during this year's Silicon Valley Wine Auction?

DG: Sharing our relatively undiscovered wines with new enthusiasts.

ESV: What else should we know about Mindego Ridge Vineyards?

DG: Stacey and I planted the vines, care for them daily, and live on the vineyard site.

Get your tickets to the Silicon Valley Wine Auction here.