Top 100 Most Influential Winemakers

[Roberto_Rogness]

If Gina Gallo can be in the top ten, why isn’t Fred Franzia #1???

[Jay_Miller]

@salilb

I guess Steve Edmunds just isn’t that influential, if he can’t make a list like this.

Unfortunately he isn’t. Would that he were.

All he does is make world class wines from traditional Rhone grapes at great prices. How many people are copying that?

[Leonard_Maran]

I’m just gratified that Joel Peterson gets some of the attention he has so richly deserved and still deserves.

[ryan_zepaltas]

Charles Shaw-totally snubbed.

seriously though no John Kongsgaard?

[Steve_Pohlman]

@Scott Butler

98-Bryan Ulbrich of Left Foot Charley

Very cool, he is a great guy making great wines in MI. I cannot speak to his “influence” but I like his stuff.

Somebody had to dig deep to include winemakers from Michigan.

And, Bryan IS at the top of the heap … here.

His Island View Pinot Blanc is, IMHO, the best wine made in Michigan.

[Howard_Cooper]

My top five would probably be Helen Turley, Paul Draper, Bo Barrett, Heidi Peterson Barrett and Bert Williams.

[M_Dildine]

@Leonard Maran

I’m just gratified that Joel Peterson gets some of the attention he has so richly deserved and still deserves.

Agreed, but #17 doesn’t do justice IMO.

[Brian_Gilp]

@Dale Williams

@Scott Fitzgerald

I don’t get all the listings from Georgia, especially above some of the others, such as Helen and Hardy. Georgia? Huh?

I only saw one from Georgia, but couple each from Virginia, Michigan, and Missouri, as well as Idaho and Texas entries. While I applaud the spread of American winemaking, and understand wanting to credit pioneers in a region, about 10% of the list representing states that combined make way less than 1% of nation’s wine (and winemakers with basically zero influence outside their home states) seems somewhat ridiculous on a list of most influential.

They could have listed Jim Law from VA and I would be fine with it. Paved the way for many and a lot of the next crop of worth watching wineries have connections back to Linden. Could have listed Luca for his efforts to get Virginia wine recognized in other markets. Either of those would make sense for inclusion considering the relative size but recent growth of the VA wine region. However the two listed make no sense. Not sure they would make the top 10 on a VA specific list made by those ITB.

[Dave_McCloskey]

I’ve spotted an inaccuracy in the report regarding Craig Kritzer of Frogtown Cellars in Georgia. I live 45 minutes from the Frogtown Cellars and have been there a half a dozen times and in fact will be there tomorrow. I’ve been told several times from Frogtown employees that Craig blends some of his wines with grapes grown in California, which is contrary to what the report states. Be that as it may Craig does a fine job, given the longevity of the winery, terrior and climate of these region. Georgia is continuing to produce better and better wines and Frogtown is leading the way.

[Steve_Saxon]

Hey! And where the f*ck is John Cabot???

Hey buddy, pass me that pipe.

[Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e]

@ryan zepaltas

Charles Shaw-totally snubbed.

seriously though no John Kongsgaard?

Also the guy I immediately thought of as totally snubbed.

[Dave_McCloskey]

Thomas Rivers Brown only 84… LMAO!!! I’ve talked to at least three distributors and countless wine enthusiasts over the last 6 months and asked them straight up who is the hottest winemaker in California and they all say the same name… Thomas Rivers Brown. His work at Schraeder alone warrants such a crown, not to mention all the other consulting work he does in Napa and Sonoma.

No Robert Morlet??? Ok, this list is officially a joke!

[Monte_Mast]

@Howard Cooper

My top five would probably be Helen Turley, Paul Draper, Bo Barrett, Heidi Peterson Barrett and Bert Williams.

I thought of Burt Williams as well but then re-read the criteria that said currently making wine. Is Burt still making wine? I thought he hung it up after the 2009 vintage of Morning Dew.

[Steve_Pohlman]

@Dave McCloskey

Thomas Rivers Brown only 84… LMAO!!! I’ve talked to at least three distributors and countless wine enthusiasts over the last 6 months and asked them straight up who is the hottest winemaker in California and they all say the same name… Thomas Rivers Brown. His work at Schraeder alone warrants such a crown, not to mention all the other consulting work he does in Napa and Sonoma.

Agree here. While he doesn’t have the deep history of say, Joel Petersen, there is NO ONE who is hotter or making better wines … NOW … than TRB.

Top 10

[mstockley]

@M.Kaplan

@Todd F r e n c h

@Kirk.Grant

Really…how do they come up with these lists?

Much like the ‘top 100 most influential in the wine industry’ list which was a total joke. I have no clue where he gets these lists, or how he puts them together

Is that Parker?

[Dave_H]

I’m not trying to be a jerk, but this is the first I’ve ever heard of or seen “intowine.com.” Is this a site others know about/frequent?
The Virginia selections are curious to me. Both good wineries, but neither strike me as being particularly “influential,” … but I’m just a guy with an internet connection and an opinion.

[J_B_a_s_k_a_m]

@Dave McCloskey

I’ve spotted an inaccuracy in the report regarding Craig Kritzer of Frogtown Cellars in Georgia. I live 45 minutes from the Frogtown Cellars and have been there a half a dozen times and in fact will be there tomorrow. I’ve been told several times from Frogtown employees that Craig blends some of his wines with grapes grown in California, which is contrary to what the report states. Be that as it may Craig does a fine job, given the longevity of the winery, terrior and climate of these region. Georgia is continuing to produce better and better wines and Frogtown is leading the way.

Dave - I think some of the “second wines” use some CA grapes. Hope you don’t get rained on tomorrow. Best, John

[Howard_Cooper]

@Monte Mast

@Howard Cooper

My top five would probably be Helen Turley, Paul Draper, Bo Barrett, Heidi Peterson Barrett and Bert Williams.

I thought of Burt Williams as well but then re-read the criteria that said currently making wine. Is Burt still making wine? I thought he hung it up after the 2009 vintage of Morning Dew.

Not sure. You could be right.

I really wanted to include John Daniels, André Tchelistcheff, Joe Heitz and Swan.

[dougwilder]

I suggested on FB that this list should be unranked, edited and fact-checked. I think I have heard of the author, yet knew nothing about him until googling the name took me to his website to learn among his claim to fame is interviewing celebrities and possibly judging chowder contests while writing for a local newspaper. I know 2/3 of the people on the list but I would never attempt to rank them in influence. What is the point, unless you want to build your site traffic. Are Kongsgaard, Winiarski, or Brother Timothy included?

[H_Wallace_Jr]

Surprised no mention of Ted Lemon in the mentions of the missing mentions (say that 3x fast)