Dave Lattin

Winemaker, Kuleto Estate

In 1986 Dave received his masters degree in enology from the University of California, Davis. After university he was hired as enologist at Robert Pecota, where he further refined his technical and artistic capabilities before taking a hands-on position as cellar master at Storybook Mountain. In late 1987, Dave rejoined Acacia as enologist where he quickly made himself indispensable. Passionate and committed, Dave was promoted to winemaker in 1992, then to general manager/winemaker in 1997.

Resolved to maintain his relationship with both the wine and the vine, Dave left Acacia in 1998 after eleven years of dedicated service. Together with his wife Kendra, a trained enologist and landscape architect who has worked for several top California wineries, Dave founded CL Wines, a consulting and winemaking business.

In 2002 Dave met with Pat Kuleto at Villa Cucina on the Kuleto Estate property. “I came to talk about doing some consulting work,” says Dave. “Pat was looking for someone who loved to be in the vineyard. We ended up sitting on his porch, drinking wine and eating olives and cheese for five or six hours. We talked about the land and winemaking, we talked about what was important to us; about quality of life and feeling connected. For Pat, wine doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it is part of a rich, abundant lifestyle. Who wouldn’t want to create wine in an environment like that?”

Country born: United States

Education: In 1986 Dave received his masters degree in enology from the University of California, Davis.

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Making wine at Kuleto Estate is about quality of life and a deep relationship with a remarkable piece of land.