Thomas  Brown

Winemaker, Aloft Wine

One of the most sought after consulting winemakers in the world today, Thomas Rivers Brown began his winemaking career at Turley Wine Cellars in 1997. In 2000, Thomas joined the Schrader Cellars team, and by 2008, had made history as the youngest winemaker to score not just one, but two perfect 100-point ratings from Robert Parker at The Wine Advocate. That same year Schrader became the first and only winery to receive two perfect ratings in the same vintage.

By 2010 Thomas was titled Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine.

Today Thomas crafts wine for a powerhouse portfolio of California wines at Outpost Cellars on Howell Mountain, including Schrader, Mayback and Aloft.

Thomas’ winemaking style forgoes technology and, he says, "all those elements that contribute to sameness"—but beyond a common generosity and roundness in the tannins, with terrior shining through, he says, "We pride ourselves on there not being a recognizable trait beyond the wine itself, and its place of origin.

Country born: United States

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
For this special barrel, Aloft’s winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown, worked alongside Marc’s daughter and fourth generation winemaker, Angelina Mondavi - a rising star in her own right and currently the assistant winemaker at Hundred Acre - to create a mountain Cabernet that’s terrior-driven, complex and lush.

Angelina Mondavi

Winemaker, Aloft Wine

At the forefront of a new generation of winemakers in Napa Valley, Angelina is currently the Assistant Winemaker for Jayson Woodbridge where she’s responsible for Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Cherry Pie and Layer Cake. She is also the Winemaker and co-founder for a Howell Mountain Zinfandel project that she’s developed with her mom and three sisters called Dark Matter, which has already reach sold-out, waiting list status among it’s followers.

Country born: United States

Education: Angelina has been in the winery for much of her life. Starting out working summers in the lab at age 10, she went on to get a degree in Chemistry and Business from Villanova University. After graduation she worked harvest as a lab tech at Hess Collection in Napa, and then at the Yalumba Wine Company in Barossa Valley. While in Australia, she earned a Master's Degree in Oenology from the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus.

Out of school, Angelina was hired as the Assistant Winemaker at Pine Ridge Vineyards where she worked until 2010.

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
For this special barrel, Aloft’s winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown, worked alongside Marc’s daughter and fourth generation winemaker, Angelina Mondavi - a rising star in her own right and currently the assistant winemaker at Hundred Acre - to create a mountain Cabernet that’s terrior-driven, complex and lush.