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Wine - 2019 - Localism

Founded in 2010 by two winemakers Ryan Knoth and Landon Donely. Today Ryan and his wife Nicole oversee the operations of their tiny brand. Localism is tribute to a lifestyle centered around the connections and the network that Ryan and Nicole have made locally in the Napa Valley – to vineyard sites, wine suppliers and with friends within the industry.

Raised in Alameda (San Francisco Bay Area), Ryan is a graduate of California Polytechnic University-San Luis Obispo with a degree in Biological Sciences. Prior to winemaking, Ryan worked in biotech at a startup in San Diego. While wine tasting in Paso Robles, Ryan had a moment of clarity – and asked himself, “why can’t I enjoy this lifestyle”. He went back to school and finished a Post Bachelors degree in Enology at California State University-Fresno. After graduating, he took a harvest intern job in the Barossa Valley in Australia at Elderton Wines in 2010 – while there he was already planning his move to the Napa Valley.He moved to Napa and never left; after returning stateside he worked at St. Clement Vineyards, Staglin Family Vineyard, Gandona, and is currently winemaker at Sinegal Estate Winery.

Over the course of his winemaking career, Ryan has learned from top winemakers including Danielle Cyrot, Philippe Melka and Anthony Biagi. His own style of winemaking focuses on creating balanced food friendly wines – harvesting perhaps a bit earlier then today’s norm – ensuring good acidity, yet also flavor. In summary, harvesting for maturity but not for over ripeness. And during the winemaking as Ryan puts it, “not hiding behind the oak” – carefully adding oak to complement rather then overpowering the wines.

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