Wine Portfolio

Richard Sowalsky

Winemaker, Clos Pegase

I began my career has a harvest intern for Michael Havens at Truchard Vineyards in 1991. After two years as a production assistant at Handley Cellars in Philo, I attended the Viticulture and Enology Program at UC Davis, where I received my Masters Degree in Enology in 1996. I then began work as the research enologist at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, and, two years later, transitioned to Robert Mondavi Winery as associate winemaker for the Bordeaux varieties. In 2004, I relocated tio William Hill Estate as winemaker for two years, followed by a two-year tenure as winemaker/co-general manager for Tetra and Expression Wine, brands of Hill & Wollack Wine Estates. I began at Clos Pegase Winery in 2010.

Country born: United States

Education: B.A. cum laude - Amherst College
M.S. Food Science/Enology Specialization - UC Davis
M.B.A/Marketing specialization - Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
My approach to winegrowing begins as an intensive learning process in the vineyard; then, I adapt all of my winemaking to realize the full potential of each site in the finished wine.