Ladd Cellars

George and Abigail Ladd came to California in the 1850's where they discovered gold, helped to establish California's public school system and planted vineyards. George and Abigail were pioneers and my Great Great Great Grandparents. Their vision and spirit of adventure is the inspiration for Ladd Cellars. My goal is to honor them by producing exceptional wines that reflect a sense of place, and to release wines only when I feel they are ready.

Aromatic - Pure - Complex

Wine that has depth and layers that evolve in interesting ways, in your glass and in the bottle. Capturing the essence of the vineyard and fruit, without any distracting elements. Delivering the intensity that California's great weather provides, without losing elegance or delicacy. This is what I am seeking.


Wines like this require cool vineyards, interesting soils and sensitive winemaking. I work with cool coastal vineyards that have well drained rocky soils to enhance the character and expressiveness of the wine. The fruit is sorted in the vineyard to minimize handling. I use a native and innoculated primary fermentation, and a long malolactic fermentation, to build complexity. Moderate fermentation temperatures balance flavor extraction with preserving complex aromatics. Most of all, the smell and taste of the fruit and wine guide my decisions, rather than following a recipe or procedure.