I was the youngest winemaker in town making some pretty good wines and people were digging it. The quality of wines across the region was continuing to improve, we were reaching new people, and the trade was finally showing interest in Livermore Valley. We were not the only ones experiencing growth locally, it seemed as though the region was hitting a stride and we were riding the wave. We landed a deal with one of CA’s bigger distributors, we were shipping wine to multiple brokers and small distributors across the country. By 2013 we had grown to almost 20,000 cases. We continued to grow our footprint adding more warehouse space and were moving some real volume. Over the next 3-4 years we saw tremendous growth. These wines were met with great praise from the press, with many accolades, and almost overnight Nottingham Cellars was a force in Livermore Valley. This was the birth of Nottingham Cellars. In 2009 we produced our first wines from grape to bottle and by November, we secured warehouse space in town and launched a brand based on Livermore Valley wines. Going forward, we were going to produce our own wines with a focus on single-vineyard offerings from the region’s most respected growers and vineyards. My family and I saw real potential here and began learning more about who was farming, what was available, and where we might be able to set up shop.įirst order of business-we were going to work through our existing inventory that was mostly purchased bulk wine and abandon the négociant model. There was high-quality fruit being grown all around, and great Cabernet could be had for a fraction of the prices of Napa and Sonoma. Livermore Valley was also starting to gain some momentum and recognition for improvements in quality. We discovered that there was excellent wine being produced in Livermore Valley. It was interesting and fun, and nothing like my job as a Glazier working highrise construction. More importantly, I was often tasked with driving tanks to wineries where we were buying bulk and I’d end up meeting talented people in beautiful places. I had helped ferment a couple of small lots with our winemaker, I was involved in a couple of blending sessions and cleaned up behind him as he worked barrels and other cellar tasks. While the business was struggling, it did open my eyes to the industry. I was beginning to find real interest in wine. They still had some wine on hand and no real thought of how to sell it.Īnother thing was happening. In 2008 after a series of questionable decisions, and even worse execution, my dad and his partner began thinking about dissolving the company. In 2006 when my dad was venturing into retirement, he started working with a friend on a small wine project which was basically a négociant that would buy premium lots of bulk wine, bottles and sold directly to a members-only list.Īfter a couple of vintages, it was clear that the model, operation, and pretty much the entire program was not performing at a level that was sustainable. We grew up in Castro Valley, a suburb of Oakland in the east bay. I lived my life not really thinking about wine or paying much attention to it, but it was always around and all my dad’s friends had dubbed him “the wine guy”. I can remember them enjoying wines in quiet tasting rooms, often in private settings, while my brother and sister and I would run around these incredible properties. From as far back as I can remember, my parents would make trips up to Napa Valley and Sonoma County to visit some of their favorite producers like Duckhorn, Cakebread, and Silver Oak. I was fortunate enough to grow up in the bay area with a family that loves and appreciates wine.
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