Senior Winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains

California Vintners Who Left Other Professions to Grow Grapes

Dec 29, 2008

Some things just naturally get better with age - is a saying often reffering to wine. Wine certainly gets better with age, but does the same hold true for the winemaker?

This group of Northern California vintners retired from varied careers to fulfill a dream of making wine well into their sunset years.

Val and Dexter Ahlgren - Ahlgren Vineyard

In the late ‘60’s Val Ahlgren started making fruit wines under the family kitchen table. Dexter, a civil engineer, took interest and in the early ‘70s was able to semi-retire from his engineering business. The couple built a home and winery on their mountain property and have been producing fine varietal wines ever since, but now have an eye on retirement.

After 41 years in high-technology management, Dave Moulton retired to establish Burrell School Winery and Vineyard on the site of the historic Burrell School property. “My grandfather was a corn and soybean farmer in Iowa, so the dream was always to get back to farming,” says Dave. He produces Chardonnay and premium red varietals.

George Cooper, Founding Winemaker - Cooper-Garrod Vineyards

George's college degree was in mining engineering. After serving in WW11, he worked for NASA as a research test pilot at Ames.

The family planted vineyards in 1972 as a retirement hobby for George. There are now 28 acres devoted to Estate Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier.

Vann Slatter - Hunter Hill Vineyard and Winery

Vann Slatter served in Vietnam in underwater demolition - Seal Team 1. Becoming a Navy Seal taught him that he could accomplish anything he put his mind to.

In the early ‘90s, declining apple trees were replaced on family property with Merlot vines, because that was Vann and wife Christine’s wine of choice. Since then, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel have been added, and a top-honor Syrah.

Christine says, “I truly believe discovering the world of viticulture and winemaking has turned back the clock. This part of Vann’s life defines who he is today. I know he believes this is the pot of gold (red wine) at the end of the rainbow of life.”

Bob Roudon, Founding Winemaker - Roudon-Smith Vineyards

Bob Roudon became fascinated with wine production on a tour of duty in Germany during the Korean War. While there, he met his late wife Annamaria, who introduced him to the Pfalz wine-producing region.

After achieving success in home-winemaking, Bob and Annamaria moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Bob and the late Jim Smith, some of the original engineers at Amdahl Corporation in Silicon Valley, made Bob’s dream come true by cashing in stock options, planting an Estate Chardonnay vineyard and building a winery.

Since his retirement, Bob has co- produced a small amount of wine with a French vineyard owner.

A Profession That Gives Pleasure to Many

With their continuing efforts to produce award-winning wines, these senior vintners have helped sustain the reputation of the Santa Cruz Mountains as a highly-regarded appellation. They are fortunate to be able to carry on a profession that gives pleasure to so many.

For more information on Santa Cruz Mountain winemaker history, see Mountain Wines, Mountain Vines, by Casey and Ken Dawes.

The copyright of the article Senior Winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains in US Wine is owned by June Smith. Permission to republish Senior Winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.