#85 - Andy Erickson [Winemaker]

This episode is a replay that originally aired on Aug 29, 2020

Andy Erickson is the winemaker for Highest Beauty, a wine from the To Kalon Vineyard Company.

Although  he’s originally from the Midwest, a summer in France convinced Andy  Erickson that his calling was wine. Beginning his journey in Napa Valley  and Sonoma, he soon moved to Mendoza in Argentina. Returning to Napa,  he honed his craft, working under a number of renowned winemakers,  including John Kongsgaard, and Michel Rolland. After earning a master’s  degree in enology, Andy worked as a winemaker at Harlan Estate and  Staglin Family Vineyards, eventually establishing a consulting firm with  his wife, viticulturalist Annie Favia, where he made such highly  coveted wines as Screaming Eagle. Andy and Annie have recently  established their own winery, Leviathan.

https://tokalonvineyardcompany.com/

We Talk About:

His background getting into wine

The Favia Brand with his wife

The interesting history with To Kalon Vineyard, Robert Mondavi and Andy Beckstoffer

Andy's winemaking style including blending, aging, and picking decisions

The Highest Beauty wine and what is coming next for the To Kalon Vineyard Company brand