EPISODE # 20 KESWICK VINEYARDS: STEPHEN BARNARD WINEMAKER & VINEYARD MANAGER

Keswick Vineyards was established by Al and Cindy Schornberg in 2000 on a property that has Virginian historical roots dating back to 1727.  Stephen Barnard joined them in 2002 which was their first vintage and jumped right into making the wine.  He left in 2004 and rejoined Keswick in 2006 and has been the winemaker and vineyard manager ever since.  Stephen got his start in wine at Groot Constantia Winery the oldest winery in his native country South Africa.  First as a tour guide, then as a cellar worker and finally as the assistant winemaker.  He would eventually enroll in an intern program at Ohio State that led to his future in Virginia.  Stephen philosophy of winemaking is minimal intervention and Keswick is one of the few wineries that ferments the majority of its wines without the addition of yeast and prefers not to fine or filter any of their reds since the 2006 vintage.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERVIEW:

a).  Stephen explains why he left South Africa where he had a budding career as a winemaker to relocate to Virginia and take a chance in a emerging winegrowing region in the U.S.
b).  Stephen details what was behind him leaving Keswick in 2004 after working for several harvests as the winemaker at Keswick he left to take a position at Rappahannock Cellars and then  later return to Keswick in 2006 where he has been since.
c). The property that is Keswick today has deep historical roots that go back to 1727 but Stephen shares a modern history fact that Art Garfunkel once owned the property. 
d).  I bring up the idea that perhaps Petit Manseng could be to Virginia what Chenin Blanc is to South Africa only to learn that South Africa grows more Chenin Blanc that all the rest of the world.  Interesting fact.
e).  Stephen speaks to why he has fallen in love with Cabernet Franc and why he believes it is the ideal grape varietal for Virginia.
f). Stephen talks about the collaboration between the various vintners and the mutual feeling that they are all in this together.  When one succeeds, they all succeed.  

What a refreshing interview this was.  You can check it out below and also review the transcript.

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