(May 23, 2023; Sonoma, Calif.) — Joe Nielsen, general manager and winemaker of Ram’s Gate Winery, is pleased to announce the promotion of Rachel Bordes from enologist to assistant winemaker. In her new role, Bordes will help Nielsen oversee all aspects of wine production at Ram’s Gate, from the vineyards to the cellar and the lab. Bordes will support Nielsen’s goal to produce wines that tell a site-specific story of a given vintage through the lens of Sonoma-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bordes holds a degree in viticulture and enology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and prior to coming to Ram’s Gate, she completed a harvest at Tolosa Winery. She began her tenure with Ram’s Gate as a harvest intern before working her way up to cellar technician and later enologist. In her new role as assistant winemaker, Bordes can be found in the lab tracking the fermentation and aging progress of the wines, working with Joe in the cellar to assist with final blends, and in the vineyard, where she monitors the sugar and acid levels of the grapes to help Joe determine the optimal time to pick the next vintage.
“Ram’s Gate has truly become a home to me these past three years and it has been wonderful to have the opportunity to work with not only our organically farmed estate vineyard but also Ram’s Gate’s long-term vineyard partners which include some of Northern California’s most unique sites,” says Bordes. “Having the opportunity to work with fruit from across Sonoma really allows us to understand the ins and outs of a vintage and create wines that tell a cohesive story while also expressing their own individual personalities. The quality stakes are high, and I couldn’t ask for a better place to always be challenged as a winemaker.”
About Ram’s Gate Winery
Perched upon the rolling hills that define the landscape of the Carneros AVA, where the San Francisco Bay meets the edges of Napa and Sonoma counties, lies Ram’s Gate Winery. Founded in 2011, Ram’s Gate is entering a new era of winemaking excellence. Today, the winery’s portfolio showcases wines that are fresh, compelling and uncompromising in quality sourced from vineyards that encompass the breadth that Sonoma County has to offer. Rooted in a spirit of exploration, the Ram’s Gate team brings a new perspective on refined elegance through thoughtful farming, intentional winemaking, genuine hospitality and sublime culinary experiences. The winery’s connection to the land is reflected in the breathtaking tasting room that overlooks to the Ram’s Gate Estate Vineyard: 28 acres of organically farmed vines. The Ram’s Gate tasting room is currently open Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., reservations are recommended.
Follow on Social Media
- Facebook: RamsGateWinery
- Twitter: @RamsGateWinery
- Instagram: @RamsGateWinery
- Website: www.ramsgatewinery.
com
