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Muccigrosso Vineyards is a family-run
endeavor committed to producing small quantities of hand made fine wines designed to satisfy everybody.
Since the early 80's when we first planted vines on our Santa Cruz Mountain property, we have studied
the winemaking process from vine to glass. Over the years we have learned a great deal about getting
results with as little intervention possible. Thanks to a broadening fan base, recent seasonal fortune
and a foolhardy sense of adventure, we have become a bonded winery. Here's a thumbnail sketch of the
"Board of Directors."
Michael Muccigrosso
President. Not surprisingly, "Mick" refused to be
profiled for this newsletter thereby leaving to our scribe the unsupervised task of capturing his
essence: Mick is one of those surly and tireless curmudgeons who personifies the credo "If you
want something done right, do it yourself." "Gimme that damn thing!" Whether it be a
bucket of fresh picked pinot, or a bottle that isn't getting opened fast enough, Mick is quick on
the draw. Whether he's chasing birds, hunting wild boar, battling inclement weather, pests and infectious
diseases, or planting, fertilizing, mowing, pruning, cleaning, his tirelessness in the vineyard and
environs' is legendary. On a good day he can be seen tooling around the Santa Cruz Mountain back roads
on his Lamborghini (tractor). Spare time? What spare time? |
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Lynne Muccigrosso
President. Lynne didn't want to be profiled either. But that was
out of modesty rather than contempt. Lynne purports not to believe that we actually named our first wine
"Lyn Zin" after her. "But it's spelled differently" she contends. Right…
Muccigrosso Vineyards is a matriarchy, no question. And Lynne is at the top. She is the voice of reason,
the gentle and optimistic gauge of progress, our subtly witted vineyard weathervane (try saying that three
times fast!). Lynne keeps a close eye on us from her pottery studio where she spends many a fine day throwing
and firing |
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Jacob Kauffman
Winemaker. The Santa Cruz Mountains are a long way from Virginia.
Just goes to show that winemaking is about sensibility rather than birth. Hailing from Virginia, via
Atlanta, Jake (aka "T2", but that's another story) has been in the "business" since
the early nineties. After dabbling in importing, a gig as a sommelier and a stint in Chile where he surfed
some swells in his spare time, Jake found his calling in enology. Jake cut his teeth across Bear Creek Road
at the hallowed David Bruce Winery, where he rose in the ranks from Cellar Rat to Cellar Master. As an
apprentice, he studied the art and mystery of Pinot Noir under the experts. While there is no substitute
for experience, fine wine cannot be made without talent. Jake has both. Taste for yourself. |
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David Agretelis
CEO. "Ag" happened onto the vineyard innocently enough
and has spent the last eleven years trying to put a pretty face on the organization. Entrusted with matters
technological, bureaucratic and logistical, Ag focuses on mending loose ends. A bona fide lover of wine, food
and music making, he does his best to fill in wherever needed and adds sophistication and class to the whole
operation. |
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Countless Others have contributed labor, vision, humor, support and encouragement.
Their collected efforts have helped shape our ideology. We thank all. |
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