When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant
I could hardly stand to have the old man around.
But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much
the old man had learned in 7 years. --Mark Twain
Rudy Zuidema has quickly worked his way up the ladder of a winemaking career. After graduating from U.C. Davis in 1991 with a degree in Plant Science and Agricultural Management, and a harvest with Wirra Wirra Australia under his belt, he started as an entry-level cellar man at St. Clement Vineyards. There he found the ultimate mentor, then winemaker Dennis Johns. At that point Rudy decided that he would be making wine for the rest of his life, and also discovered and began to develop a winemaking style that embraces a balanced fusion of concentrated fruits, rich aromatics, and seamless textures.
After St. Clement, Rudy took his next steps in cellar management at Cuvaison Winery, and then moved on to an assistant winemaking position at Honig Winery, followed by a seven-year stint as head winemaker for Robert Craig Wine Cellars. Working with specialized varietals from each of these spectacular properties, and exploring the range of growing and winemaking techniques a single grape can inspire, Rudy finds his work a labor of love.
Today, Rudy is the winemaker for Ehlers Estate, a nonprofit winery tucked away in a beautiful setting just north of St. Helena. Ehlers donates all of its proceeds to the Leducq Foundation, a charitable organization founded solely for the funding of international cardiovascular research. At Ehlers, Rudy also manages the estate organic and biodynamic-farming program. Yet another bonus is the opportunity to work alongside consultant Philippe Melka, who brings vintage knowledge and years of international winemaking expertise.
Amy Zuidema was enticed away from the fast-paced corporate world by Rudy. In 1997 she relocated to the Napa Valley, bringing a background of market analysis and strategic planning skills to the wine world. At Araujo Estate Wines in Calistoga, Amy managed their world-class mailing list/database/club shipping operation. This prepared her for the next step, working alongside Rudy at Robert Craig Wine Cellars. There she had the opportunity and challenge to manage national and international sales. Wearing the numerous and ever-changing hats of small winery operations, Amy has gained a breadth of experience and knowledge, and come to develop fabulous relationships in the wine industry. She continues to be inspired by the passionate individuals she meets and works with every day.
Ron Goldin, a native Southern Californian, came to Calistoga on a vacation in 1986. After several days away from Los Angeles, he decided to make the Napa Valley his new home. Hearing complaints from locals about the lack of a good pizza restaurant, he also decided to make a career change and opened Checkers in the heart of downtown Calistoga in 1987.
Already in the restaurant business, Bay Area native Mark Young came to Napa Valley in 1984 as Maitre'D at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. Young and Goldin met in 1990 and opened their first restaurant together, Checkers in Santa Rosa.
In 1992, Young and Goldin purchased the 10 acre Masked Man Ranch on Silverado Trail for their expanding herd of Arabian horses. Several years later when the opportunity came to take over one of Calistoga's best restaurant locations, Young and Goldin jumped and built Brannan's Grill in 1998. It was at Brannan's that Goldin, Young, and the Zuidemas met and begin talking about combining resources. With the addition of Brannan's, the leisurely time that Young and Goldin had with the horses became a thing of the past. So in 1999, the horses were sold, the pasture was plowed, and Masked Man Vineyard was born.
In 2001, another prime restaurant location became available in Calistoga, and Young and Goldin built the Flatiron Grill, a casual steak house. This was followed in 2003 with the opening of Latitude, a plantation resort style restaurant in Rohnert Park.
The energy Rudy, Amy, Mark, and Ron bring to their work is contagious. Drink and enjoy!
