(February 16, 2022; Yountville, Calif.)— Tony Baldini, President and COO of Lede Family Wines, is pleased to announce that Sarah Green has been promoted to Winemaker of FEL Wines. Sarah’s new title comes after nearly five years of assisting in the care and crafting of FEL’s AVA-driven and single-vineyard wines alongside Director of Winemaking, Ryan Hodgins. FEL is a leading producer of cool-climate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris that also owns and farms the AVA’s “crown jewel” Savoy Vineyard.
“Sarah’s promotion to Winemaker recognizes her invaluable contributions to FEL and the potential we see in her future here,” says Baldini. “In her new role, she will have expanded opportunities to work with our renowned vineyards and state-of-the art cellar.”
Born and raised in Southern California, Sarah earned a BA in English from Smith College in 2011. Feeling adventurous and inspired by fellow Smith alumna and winemaker Helen Keplinger, she sought a harvest internship upon graduating. Sarah worked her first harvest at Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa, followed by consecutive harvests in New Zealand, the Sonoma Coast and Western Australia. In 2013, Sarah returned to Sonoma, where she spent four years as Assistant Winemaker at Donelan. In 2017, Sarah joined the team at FEL Wines as Associate Winemaker.
“I was drawn to FEL for the chance to work with the winery’s excellent fruit sources, especially the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Savoy Vineyard,” says Green. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with these varieties around the world and I continue to be inspired by FEL’s unique style, every wine and vineyard that we work with has its own language.”
“Sarah has walked the vineyards for years and understands the attributes that distinguish the quality of FEL wines inside and out,” says FEL’s Director of Winemaking Ryan Hodgins. “She has become an indispensable member of our team with a deep understanding of how to treat the nuanced fruit of our single-vineyard wines with individual care. She has ultimately had a hand in every wine we’ve produced since 2017, from vineyard to bottle, and I am thrilled to continue to work with her in this new capacity.”
Sarah resides in Petaluma and is currently completing her MBA in Wine Business at Sonoma State University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking.
About Lede Family Wines and FEL Wines
Lede Family Wines was established in 2002 when Canadian-born Cliff Lede acquired 60 acres in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, creating Cliff Lede Vineyards. In 2005, Lede opened the adjacent Poetry Inn, the only accommodation in the Stags Leap District.
In 2009, Cliff Lede expanded into Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris following the purchase of Breggo Cellars in Anderson Valley. After acquiring the nearby famed Savoy Vineyard in 2011, and creating FEL Wines in 2014, the company evolved to become Lede Family Wines, integrating Lede’s luxury wine and hospitality businesses. FEL Wines is a tribute to Lede’s mother, Florence Elsie Lede, as her home winemaking hobby sparked his curiosity in wine when he was in his youth.
The Savoy Vineyard is recognized as one of the benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards in California. This southwest facing, gently sloping vineyard was planted by Richard Savoy in 1991 near the junction of Gowan Creek and the Navarro River. Encompassing 44 acres, it is planted to a diverse array of Dijon and heritage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones, and is divided into 34 sub-blocks, each managed individually to maximize quality. Fruit from the Savoy Vineyard is also sold to Littorai, Radio-Coteau, Auteur, Failla and Peay.
Follow on Social Media
Facebook: @FELWines,
Instagram: @fel_wines,
Website: ledefamilywines.com
Contact Lede Family Wines
1473 Yountville Cross Rd
Yountville, CA 94599
707.944.8642
