During a recent conversation with some wine industry colleagues, the subject of "gurus" came up. Some mentioned famous winemakers like Helen Turley and Paul Dolan, while others named respected vineyard experts like Phil Coturri and David Abreu.
For those of you who work in the wine industry, this brings me to the question: Which American winemakers and viticulturists do you most admire? If you could have anyone you wanted on speed dial to answer your every vineyard/winemaking question (free of consulting fees), who would it be?
The American winemaker I have on speed-dial is Bruce Gutlove, a Californian, a M.A. graduate in enology from U.C.Davis, who runs the wine making at Coco Farm & Winery, in Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan. (the winery is owned by the mentally challenged).
Being out in the sticks of Japan, dealing with odd grapes, and odd climate and a unique working situation takes grit.
Bruce has spend almost 2 decades in Japan establishing links with local winemakers and famous winemakers around the world to solve the puzzle of making great wine in a difficult climate.
His NOVO sparkling wine was served at the G-7 summit. He raised up a a generation of young Japanese winemakers. He travels the globe looking for grapes that can survive Japan's typhoons and humidity.
Bruce's knowledge about all things wine is detailed, and he is a terrifically patient teacher of all things wine.
Posted by: Sandra Shoji | May 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM