Rutherford Hill Winery

Rutherford Hill Winery
200 Rutherford Hill Road,Post Office Box 427
Rutherford, California
USA 94573
Phone: (707) 963-1871
http://www.rutherfordhill.com

Contact: Anthony Terlato
Email: [email protected]

Founded in 1972, Rutherford Hill Winery is a pioneer in the development of California Merlot. The grape growers who founded Rutherford Hill carefully studied the geography of the region and capitalized on climate and soil conditions that resembled those of Pomerol, the small but distinctive Merlot-growing region of Bordeaux. What a promising discovery that was - one that has borne plenty of fruit - specifically, the lush, purple-black grapes that have contributed so much to Rutherford Hill's success. Today, Merlot remains the flagship wine of the company with 75 percent of Rutherford Hill's production dedicated to this varietal, one of the leading Merlots of Napa Valley.

When the Terlato family of the Terlato Wine Group (TWG), Lake Bluff, Illinois, purchased the winery in 1996, they immediately began to apply their guiding principle: Quality is a way of life. The pursuit of excellence began with a comprehensive review of all aspects of the facility that resulted in significant enhancements.

Growing up amongst the vineyards of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, Marisa Taylor Huffaker seemed destined to find a career in winemaking. At a young age, she recalls visits to the vineyards to watch her godfather, a vineyard manager, work in the vines. Like most people who grow up in Wine Country, wine was a typical fixture at her family’s dinner table. During those impressionable years, Marisa developed a deep appreciation for the process of taking the tender grapes from vine to the glass, generating the spark of what would become her professional calling. pon returning to the U.S., Taylor Huffaker joined Williams-Selyem as an assistant winemaker, where she further honed her winemaking skills, making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Sonoma County.

Today, Marisa is part of a talented winemaking team at the Terlato Wine Group’s Rutherford Hill Winery in Napa Valley, crafting its award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet. She is happy, challenged and enjoys all aspects of winemaking. In her free time, Marisa enjoys quilting, gardening and entertaining family and friends.

Winemaker: Marisa Taylor Huffaker and Dough Fletcher

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