Brenden Wood has been an integral part of the J. Lohr
Vineyards & Wines winemaking team since 2004, and was
the assistant winemaker working alongside Director of
Winemaking Steve Peck from 2010 until 2019 when he then took
on the role of Red Winemaker. In this role, Brenden combines
his understanding of the technical aspects of great winemaking
with an appreciation for the artistry of the blend.
After growing up in the Bay Area, Brenden attended Cal Poly,
where he earned a degree in biochemistry in 1999. During
university, Brenden also cultivated an interest in wine.
Combining his science background and his newfound
appreciation for the great things that can be achieved with a little
fermentation, Brenden was soon brewing his own beer and
making his own small lots of wine.
As his passion for wine grew, Brenden began traveling more,
exploring wine regions throughout France and Italy. He also
worked harvests at two small Paso Robles wineries, gaining
valuable practical winemaking experience. In 2004, Brenden
joined J. Lohr as a lab technician, where he ran day-to-day
quality control analysis, while also helping to develop several
leading-edge tools for color and tannin analysis.
In 2007, Brenden was promoted to enologist, working closely
with both Steve Peck and President/COO Jeff Meier to further
enhance quality in every aspect of the winemaking program.
Though Brenden has a deep foundation in the technical side of
winemaking, he also believes in applying those skills creatively
in order to make great wine—an approach that was recognized
when Brenden was named assistant winemaker in 2010. Based
in Paso Robles, Brenden focuses on the winery’s red wine
portfolio. In keeping with J. Lohr’s hands-on, small lot
approach, Brenden helps to oversee as many as 400 individual
fermentations in a given vintage.
Brenden lives with his wife, Carrie, and his son, Emerson, just
southwest of Paso Robles in the little town of Templeton. Prior
to going on maternity leave, Carrie was the head viticulturist for
J. Lohr. Brenden loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker. He has
climbed both Mount Whitney and Kilimanjaro.•
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