About Sonoma Grapemasters

What happens when an ex- technology entrepreneur with a thriving custom-crush winery meets a writer-turned-commercial winemaker?

You guessed it: Sonoma Grapemasters.

Both of us— Owl Ridge Wine Services owner John Tracy and Sonoma Grapemasters Program Director Stephen Yafa —make our own commercial wines at John’s custom-crush winery in the Russian River Valley of West Sonoma, along with more than 30 commercial boutique winemakers. John’s custom-crush, which provides all the gear and labor to process wine from fermentation to bottle for its winemaking clients, has recently been updated with state-of-the-art equipment in the process of expansion.

As sworn enemies of wine snobbery, after renovation we’ve decided to open the facility for the first time to non-commercial, microcrush wine enthusiasts as well—folks who want to make great wine, drink it, share it, give it away as gifts or open and serve it at dinner parties to thunderous applause.

It’s about time, we say. Who wants to be only on the receiving end when the line between amateur and professional in so many arenas is quickly becoming invisible? Winemaking’s one of those professions that used to belong only to the chosen few. There were good reasons. For years the entry price to premium winemaking was exorbitant, the equipment and expertise were unaffordable, and the expertise was hard to come by. No more. Advances in all sorts of related areas have changed the game, along with the playing field.

Still, we know it’s tough to go about your normal daily and office routine and put in the long hours that winemaking sometimes demands. There are midnight grape deliveries, all-night crush and sorting sessions, hourly fermentation monitoring requirements and time-sucking menial chores like mucking out tanks. At a minimum we get you involved in participating in every important decision along the way. At the other extreme, you work in the vineyards, on the sorting line, and even punch down your own grapes. It’s your call.

When you want to be there, but can’t, our cellar technicians and winemaking staff tend to your wine’s need as if it were their own, keeping you in the loop throughout. We also help you sharpen your winemaking skills at your choice during crush in session that give you a taste of different oak treatments and blends and alcohol levels. If you’re making wine at a distance, we set you up via emails, Web site and our online tools to interact with your winemaker.

Our staff is trained to deal with winemakers who fly under the radar but quickly sell out their premium garagistes wines. That means small lots, exceptional customized care and handling, and no mass production at any level. Exactly what they bring to non-commercial microcrush, as well.

At Sonoma Grapemasters we pride ourselves on passing on our experience and in forming lasting relationships with wine lovers who want to step up and do their own wine, their own way.

We know all about the satisfaction in seeing the delight in the face of the person who’s tasting your handcrafted Pinot Noir or other variety for the first time. It’s hard to top.

One more thing about us: we’re into great, not good enough. The grapes we source are the best we can find, all from premier vineyards. We use the finest French new oak. The level of service and equipment we provide is aimed at helping you to produce superior wine, equal to any that typically retails at $45 or more, made your way, with a little help from your friends.