New Winemakers for Dry Creek, Staglin and Other Estates

California's Bonny Doon and Washington's Chateau Ste. Michelle also hired new staff.

Tim Fish
Posted: July 9, 2003

Winemaker Bill Knuttel is leaving Chalk Hill Winery in Sonoma County to take over the cellar at nearby Dry Creek Vineyards. Before joining Chalk Hill seven years ago, Knuttel was winemaker at Saintsbury for 13 years. Knuttel replaces Jeff McBride, who is now general manager at Conn Creek Winery in Napa Valley.

In Napa Valley, Gerard Zanzonico is the new winemaker at Staglin Family Vineyards. Previously, Zanzonico was winemaker and general manager of Stonegate Winery and assistant winemaker at Chateau Montelena. Zanzonico, who replaces Andy Erickson, will work with consulting winemaker Michel Rolland.

Elsewhere in California, Jim Moore has been hired as the director of winery operations at Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz. Moore, who previously worked at Robert Mondavi Winery and has been a consulting winemaker for Ballentine and other wineries, will continue to maintain his own label, L'Uvaggio di Giacomo.

Bob Bertheau is the new white winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington. Bertheau was previously vice president of winemaking at Hambrecht Vineyards in Sonoma County and also worked at Chalk Hill, Hanzell and Gallo of Sonoma. He replaces Erik Olsen, who is now winemaker at Clos du Bois Winery in Sonoma County.