Graham Weerts, Winemaker, Stonestreet Winery, Jackson Family Wines, Sonoma Ca.

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  Graham Weerts joined Stonestreet in May, 2004 fresh from Cape Town, South Africa, where he was working as head winemaker at Bellingham Winery. Graham is a native of Newlands, Cape Town. A family background in farming, and his love of food and wine, led Graham to pursue a career in the wine industry. Graham has a degree in Wine Science, Viticulture and Pomology at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellbosch. Graham’s wine background spreads across a number of continents. He has worked at Chateau de Terrefort-Quancard in Bordeaux, Vérité Winery in the Alexander Valley and also as winemaker at Diemersdal Estate and Devon Hill Winery in South Africa.

  The Alexander Mountain Estate vineyards are, “arguably some of the most impressive vineyards in the world,” according to Graham. The low yields from these mountain vineyards result in fruit with unique intensity – the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are particularly notable for their power. Graham feels there is a fine balance between power and elegance, and his goal is to strike that balance with Stonestreet wines.