Wine Portfolio

Nile Zacherle

Winemaker, David Arthur Vineyards

I began my journey into winemaking via home-brewing at home and worked my way to UC Davis to study Fermentation Science. I worked briefly in the brewing industry and pursued winemaking there after in Napa Valley (Chateau Montelena-Assist Winemaker and Barnett Vineyards-Winemaker, SE Chase Cellars-consultant), Anderson Valley (Navarro), along with stages in Margaret River W Aust (Pierro), Bordeaux (Chateau d'Arsac). I currently direct viticulture and winemaking for David Arthur Vineyards as well as operate Mad Fritz Brewing Co (Founder and Master Brewer).

Country born: United States

Education: AS Natural Science-Geology Cabrillo (Santa Cruz)
AA Liberal Arts-illustration Cabrillo (Santa Cruz)
BS Fermentation Science '97 UC Davis

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Honors / Awards:
2008-2009 Trinity House Scolarship (Institute of Master of Wine-London)

Winemaking Philosophy:
My approach to winemaking is summed up in concept of wine-growing, not in the sense that a person farms or grows grapes for a winery and therefore is a 'Winegrower'. It is more that the beginning of a great wine is having control from pruning on-ward. The more decisions that a Winemaker can make in the vineyard the better that he/she can fine tune the quality prior to harvest. Vineyard expression and style are also very important to my philosophy. I would say restraint, age-ability, polish/refinement and balance are crucial to me. I would say most vineyards will give you some idea of how they should be handled based on the flavor of the fruit and corresponding young wine.