Linda Trotta

Winemaker, Jamieson Ranch Vineyards

With a career spanning three decades and four continents, Linda Trotta was named Jamieson Ranch Vineyards Winemaker in 2017. Linda is responsible for all winemaking for Double Lariat, Reata, Light Horse and Whiplash wines as well as a collection of limited-production, winery-only bottlings. In 2018, Linda was named the North Bay Business Journal’s Napa Valley Winemaker of the year.
Prior to joining Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Linda was Head Winemaker at Swiftwater Cellars in Washington State, a start-up winery where she had the opportunity to build a winemaking program from the ground up. Key achievements included earning critical acclaim for the winery’s first vintages.
Previously, Linda served as Director of Winemaking at Sonoma Valley’s renowned Gundlach Bundschu Winery. In her twenty years with the winery, she implemented advances in winemaking techniques and vineyard practices. Linda is especially proud that in her leadership role, she mentored and developed talent who have gone on to make their own marks of excellence in winemaking and viticulture.
In addition to her leadership roles in wine, Linda has worked harvests around the world including Italy, South Africa and Chile, and counts wine luminaries including Zelma Long and Phil Freese among her personal mentors. She has also managed estate vineyards and worked with long-time grower partners throughout key wine regions in appellations within California and Washington.
A southern California native, Linda earned degrees in Enology from UC Davis and in Italian Art History from Universita` degli Studi di Padova. She has held leadership roles with Women for Winesense, the Washington Wine Technical Group and currently with Wine Women, an organization that champions the advancement of women’s careers in wine. Linda speaks regularly at industry events and her written work has appeared in wine industry trade publications. She also serves as a judge in wine competitions.

Country born: United States

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years