At J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, acclaimed winemaker Kristen
Barnhisel brings two decades of viticulture and winemaking
experience spanning three continents to her role as winemaker for all
white wines. Known for her gifted palate and technical skill, Kristen uses
her expertise with a range of white wine varieties, styles and winemaking
methods to guide J. Lohr’s white wine portfolio.
Kristen was raised in Santa Rosa by a microbiologist mother, who
worked for Simi Winery, and a father who was a home winemaker.
Though she grew up immersed in the wine industry, even working
harvests as a summer job, it wasn’t until she traveled to Italy while
earning her B.A. in Italian literature that she was inspired to become a
winemaker. Encouraged by legendary California winemaker, and family
friend, Zelma Long, Kristen became one of the first women, and the
first American, to work harvest for Ruffino in Italy—an experience that
deepened her desire to become a winemaker. Kristen went on to earn a
master’s degree in enology from UC Davis, while also working a number
of coveted internships, including Warwick Wine Estate in South Africa,
Opus One, and Long Vineyard, where she gained invaluable knowledge
working alongside her mentor, Zelma Long.
After graduation, eager to build on her growing knowledge of different
wine regions, Kristen moved to Washington State, where she spent two
years as the enologist at Columbia Crest. Returning to California, Kristen
held positions as the assistant winemaker at Jordan Vineyard & Winery
and later Belvedere Winery, before joining Handley Cellars in Anderson Valley, where she was co-winemaker with founder Milla Handley for eight years. Prior to joining J. Lohr in 2015, Barnhisel was the quality control manager at Inglenook, where she was charged with ensuring wine quality of the Rubicon, Inglenook’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Blancaneaux, the winery’s top white wine.
Today, utilizing her extensive experience with cool-climate white wine
varieties, Kristen works alongside President/COO Jeff Meier and Director
of Winemaking Steve Peck to guide J. Lohr’s white wine program.
“We are a winery that values leadership, experience and a willingness
to experiment,” says Jeff. “From her work in multiple countries and
appellations to her leadership role as a vice president at the American
Society for Enology and Viticulture, Kristen has shown a remarkable
commitment to research and experimentation. She’s also a phenomenal
winemaker.”
“I love the challenge of making serious white wines that reflect their
vineyard roots,” says Kristen. “It is incredibly rewarding to take an
inherently transparent grape and to find that perfect place where fruit
flavors, aromatics, alcohol, acidity, texture and palate length all come into
perfect balance.”
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