Ramey will oversee the production of Valette Wines’ new Russian River 2022 vintage Chardonnay, scheduled for release on February 5th – accessible solely to members of the Valette Wines Lifestyle Membership Program
February 5th – Dustin Valette, the award-winning Chef-Owner known for his acclaimed Healdsburg restaurants, Valette, The Matheson and Roof 106, as well as the proprietor of Valette Wines, is delighted to announce the appointment of 100 point winemaker David Ramney as the newest winemaker for Valette Wines.
Over the years, Valette Wines has grown to include award-winning, world-renowned wine producers like Jesse Katz, the winemaker behind 97 point Robert Parker Cabernet (‘19); Bob Cabral – the first person in the world to make a 100 point Pinot Noir from California; and Tom Rochioli, the beloved third-generation wine producer behind one of California’s finest wineries, Rochioli Vineyards.
The addition of Ramey to Valette Wines’ roster marks an impactful milestone for the small-production, Sonoma County-based wine brand.
“Ramey brings invaluable talents to Valette Wines, and we are thrilled to include him in our esteemed lineup of winemakers. His winemaking ethos aligns seamlessly with our team’s vision to craft wines that capture the essence of the terroir in Sonoma and Napa Valley and our fervor for cultivating comradery with our community through our varietal,” says Valette.
Ramey will serve as winemaker for Valette Wines’ new Russian River 2022 vintage of Chardonnay, set to be released on February 5th – exclusively available to members of Valette Wines’ Lifestyle Membership Program. With tasting notes featuring fresh brioche, honeyed apples, and cinnamon, the wine achieves a harmonious balance between richness and acidity on the palate. It takes one on a journey from delicate notes of Asian pear and honeysuckle to deeper tones of shortbread. The entire tasting experience is defined by the signature Ramey minerality.
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Ramey is among a distinguished group of pioneering American vintners who revolutionized modern-day winemaking and elevated California to the forefront of the international wine community. Hailed as “Professor Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, Ramey’s efforts have helped shape the way many wines in the United States are made today.
Establishing his own wine label, Ramey Wine Cellars, in 1996 alongside Carla Ramey, he is very much steeped in the classical Bordeaux traditions of crafting age-worthy wines, having worked in Bordeaux twice. Some of his contributions to modern-day winemaking include pioneering whole-cluster pressing of white grapes; the use of oxidized juice in white winemaking; sur lees aging of white wines in barrel; malolactic fermentation of Chardonnay; native yeast fermentations; and bottling without filtration. He has been making wine since the 1970s.
In his role as the latest winemaker for Valette Wines, Ramey expressed that, “Having the opportunity to work with a world-class Chef like Dustin Valette is a fantastic opportunity. Talking to him about how winemakers and chefs think about taste has benefited us all. The wine we made is a blend of thoughtfully farmed vineyards indicative of what the Russian River region is capable of.”
About Valette Wines
Valette Wines was born out of Chef-Vintner Dustin Valette’s passion for wine, food, and flavor – showcasing legendary small production, terroir-driven winemakers such as Bob Cabral, Tom Rochioli, Jesse Katz, and David Ramey through its expressive portfolio of Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot, and Cabernet. Valette Wines is a proud steward of the land and committed to celebrating the diverse nature of the expansive region, as well as Chef-Vintner Valette’s passions for wine, food, and flavor. Valette Wines pairs perfectly with our regional cuisine and wine-country living.
