Mark Cummins - Winemaker, Kelsey See Canyon VineyardsWe recently tapped Mark Cummins to lead the Kelsey's into the new decade.
As a winemaker, Mark has worked in wineries and vineyards for over two decades. He grew up in the Silicon Valley, in the shadow of the venerable Ridge Winery and soon became drawn to the discipline and lifestyle of the vinters.
"The craft of winemaking requires use of both sides of the brain, lying in the crossroads of art and science," Mark says, "I enjoy how wines are an integral part of celebrating life."
As a winemaker, Mark has worked in wineries and vineyards for over two decades. He grew up in the Silicon Valley, in the shadow of the venerable Ridge Winery and soon became drawn to the discipline and lifestyle of the vinters.
"The craft of winemaking requires use of both sides of the brain, lying in the crossroads of art and science," Mark says, "I enjoy how wines are an integral part of celebrating life."
Mark has worked various Crushes in the Napa Valey, the Sierra Foothills and Santa Cruz Mountains before he found his home on the Central Coast. He found a passion for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while working at Byron in Santa Maria, and he has carried that passion with him here to Kelsey since August of '09.
"I am bringing more of a focus on Pinot Noir, and making some Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Zinfandel from some vineyards I enjoy," he says, adding to the already tried and true Kelsey portfolio, "my philosopy is to find balance in each wine, and that varies in style from grape to grape and vineyard to vineyard."
Teldeschi Winery is a premium wine producer in Dry Creek Valley. The Teldeschi Family owns approximately 70 acres of vineyards in the AVAand makes mainly Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Muscat.
Brothers Dan and John Teldeschi currently run the winery. Their parents, Frank and Catarina, established most of the vineyards. Although Frank has passed away, Catarina remains the family matriarch and land owner.
Frank sold grapes to home winemakers in San Francisco in the difficult years following World War II. There was very little commercial demand for wine grapes at this time, but the Teldeschis persisted, and found buyers wherever they could. The Frei Brothers and Seghesio Family were two of their consistent customers followed by Pedroncelli and Ravenswood in later years.
In addition to Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Malvasia, Cinsault, and Gamay are planted. There is also a bit of French Colombard and Palomino. These are rustic grapes not exceptionally valued for winemaking that John Teldeschi says he feeds to the deer and turkeys so they don’t eat his better varietals.
Teldeschi Winery makes a number of wines with a focus on Zinfandel. The family also produces outstanding Petite Sirah, a Port-style wine with Zinfandel grapes, and a blend Carignane, Valdiguie, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah called Terranova. This wine is made in memory of Dan and John’s father, Frank Teldeschi.