Emeritus Vineyards Announces New Winemaker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Charles Communications Associates press@charlescomm.com | 415.701.9463   Emeritus Vineyards Announces New Winemaker David Lattin takes on winemaker role at  Sonoma dry-farming pioneer winery   Sebastopol, California, June 5, 2017 – Emeritus Vineyards is proud to announce the appointment of David Lattin to winemaker. Lattin joins a 20+ year strong team at Emeritus, which includes vineyard manager, Kirk Lokka, and proprietor, Brice Jones.   Lattin brings 32 vintages of winemaking experience to his role at Emeritus, which includes a 15-year tenure as winemaker for Kuleto Estate where he oversaw the winery’s transition from a small, family-owned business to a relevant brand, while also leading the winemaking program for Merus Wines since 2013.   After receiving a B.A. in Microbiology (with a minor in German Language) from Oregon State University, Lattin went on to receive a M.S. in Enology from the University of California at Davis. From Davis, Lattin went on to gain experience abroad at Chateau Troplong-Mondot in St. Emilion, France, Storybook Mountain Vineyards in Calistoga, and Acacia Winery in Carneros, where he quickly transitioned from enologist to winemaker and General Manager.  Lattin also founded and managed CL Wines from 1998 to 2011, a passion project that led him to discover and fall in love with small Pinot Noir vineyards throughout the Sonoma Coast appellation, foreshadowing his eventual arrival at Emeritus Vineyards.   Proprietor Brice Jones said, “David imparts to his wines the spirit that [original – and deceased – Emerituswinemaker] Don Blackburn began with our wine over ten years ago. That spirit is most exemplified by the Burgundian style and the predominance of terroir, a sentiment that David shares whole-heartedly, as exemplified in his wines. We couldn’t be happier to have him join our team.”   Lattin adds, “I am beyond excited about my new position at Emeritus Vineyards and look forward to many great vintages with the team. I support everything Emeritus believes in from their sustainable dry-farming practices, to the quest for the highest quality level of the wines, an alchemy of nuance and complexity.”   Lattin resides in St. Helena with his wife and children. When not producing world-class wines, Lattin enjoys cooking (which he believes makes him a better winemaker), traveling, and cycling.  Located in Sebastopol in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Emeritus Vineyards is home to Hallberg Ranch, one of California’s most distinguished dry-farmed vineyards, and the site from which the winery crafts the second most requested Pinot Noir in America’s Zagat rated restaurants1. About Emeritus Vineyards and Brice Cutrer Jones Emeritus Vineyards, is located in Sebastopol, California, the heart of the Russian River Valley. Established in 1999, the winery is defined by a commitment to producing noble Pinot Noir of the most distinctive quality. Wines are crafted around founder & proprietor Brice Cutrer Jones’s philosophy that soil gives wine its character, climate gives wine its personality, and man gives the wine its spirit (or style). The result is estate grown and bottled Pinot Noirs from two vineyards Hallberg Ranch, the home ranch in the heart of the Russian River Valley and Pinot Hill, from the Sebastopol Hills area of the Sonoma Coast.   For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.    ¹ According to the 2015 Wine & Spirits Magazine restaurant poll.   ##