August 21, 2024 – Cienega Valley, CA – Eden Rift, located along California’s Central Coast, and under vine since 1849, has welcomed Trevor Chlanda aboard as Director of Winemaking. Chlanda, presently a student at the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW), previously oversaw production at the Napa Valley’s Bin to Bottle custom-crush facility, where he was consulting winemaker for Juslyn (Spring Mountain, Napa); Pilcrow Wines (Coombsville, Mt. Veeder, Yountville, & Howell Mountain); Grindstone Cellars (Dunnigan Hills) and Chateau de Vie (Calistoga). Chlanda also held successful winemaking stints at Oregon’s Duck Pond Cellars and Williams Selyem Winery in Healdsburg. It was at these two wineries that Chlanda distinguished himself as a keen interpreter of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit from compelling sites.
A graduate of Cornell University, Chlanda is an experienced, intuitive vigneron who emphasizes thoughtful fermentation management, cellar organization and staff mentorship. “I’ve been admiring Eden Rift from afar. The estate is breathtaking with each of its many parcels meticulously farmed. The terroir is unparalleled, which inspires me to tell its story.”
Eden Rift Vineyards, founded by Christian Pillsbury in 2016, is located 20 miles from the Monterey Bay. The estate’s vineyard plantings rest atop the San Andres Faultline, with soils comprised of shattered dolomite and limestone. These rare soil profiles, and the biodiversity surrounding the 120-acres of vineyard plantings, contribute to energetic and precise Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Extreme terraces and a varied terroir within a single, contiguous valley make Eden Rift Vineyards one of the most exciting new projects in the United States. The collection of wines includes the estate, terraces and single-vineyard offerings.
“Trevor’s energy, drive, and focus have been a great addition to Eden Rift. His positive attitude and work ethic are the perfect fit for our small, but mighty team. As a hopeless Pinot Noir lover, Trevor’s style has always been to highlight the quality of the site and fruit first and foremost. I’m looking forward to seeing our terroir-driven wines consistently improve in Trevor’s capable hands,” says Pillsbury.
To learn more about Eden Rift, please visit: www.edenrift.com.
