Santa Cruz Mountains’ Neely Wine Brings Experienced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Winemaker to Spring Ridge Vineyard
PORTOLA VALLEY, California (August 6, 2024) – Neely Wine, the women-led estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sarah Green to the position of Winemaker. Green will oversee production and creative operations, working closely with Operations Director Lucy Neely on management of the estate vineyards, winery, and overall business. “We feel so fortunate to have Sarah Green come on board ahead of the 2024 vintage,” said Neely, “We also feel grateful that after working with us for a decade, Shalini Sekhar will continueon as a consulting winemaker.”
Green comes to Neely after seven years with FEL Wines and Savoy Vineyards, where she worked with premiere Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Anderson Valley. At FEL, Green established herself as a winemaker committed to sustainable business practices and passionate about Chardonnay. Green’s years at Savoy nurtured her love of vineyards with history, which is part of what drew her to Neely’s Spring Ridge Vineyard, where the first plantings date to 1980.
A native Californian with an English degree from Smith College, Green also holds an MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University. Green brings to Neely Wine a holistic view of estate winemaking as well as strategic direction for a boutique family winery, not to mention her wellspring of curiosity and enthusiasm. “It was immediately apparent to me that this is a special place,” says Green. “I’m excited for this next chapter.” Together with the Neely Family, Sekhar, viticulture consultant Ken Swegles, and a combined 70 years of experience on the vineyard team, Green will endeavor to carry the legacy of Spring Ridge Vineyard into its next era.
About Neely Wine
Neely Wine is a women-led producer of esteemed Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The estate vineyard was established with a ten-acre planting in 1980 by brothers Bob and Jim Varner, who retired from the property in 2014. Led by the Neely family, winemaker Sarah Green, consulting winemaker Shalini Sekhar, and a highly experienced vineyard team, Neely is committed to thoughtful farming, inspired winemaking, and exceptional hospitality. The Neely tasting room, located at the estate vineyard, is open by reservation. For more information, please visit neelywine.com or phone 650.206.3213.
