WINEMAKER PROFILE
Burgundian expressions
Winemaker Kamee Knutson is on a quest to let Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard shine By Hana-Lee Sedgwick
T
he story of Talbott Vineyards goes back to 1950, when Robert Talbott Sr. and his family opened their eponymous tie company in Carmel Valley. It was during silk-buying trips to France when the Talbotts first encountered the world of Burgundian wines, igniting a dream to craft their own Burgundian-style wines in California. This vision came to life in 1982 when Talbott Sr., and his son, Robb, founded Talbott Vineyards and began planting chardonnay and pinot noir vines in what would become the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. By the early 1990s, Talbott Vineyards had grown to produce 100 percent estate wines, bolstered by the family’s significant acquisition of the area’s esteemed Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Originally planted in 1972, this sprawling 565-acre vineyard is dedicated entirely to chardonnay and pinot noir. Given its close proximity to the coast, just 12 miles from Monterey Bay, the vines are graced with steady maritime influences, which, coupled with 66
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gravelly loam soils and ample sunlight, create ideal conditions for nurturing the distinct flavor profiles of Burgundian grapes. In fact, it was the unique terroir of Sleepy Hollow Vineyard that first drew Kamee Knutson, Talbott’s recently appointed senior winemaker, to the brand. “Sleepy Hollow is truly unlike any other place,” Knutson remarks. “With cool mornings and occasional fog followed by afternoon breezes, conditions stay cool throughout the day, allowing the grapes to ripen gradually over a long period of time.” The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is widely known for its “mineral-driven, saline-like wines,” she explains, “but wines from Sleepy Hollow showcase incredible depth and complexity, balancing bright acid and minerality with delicate aromas and concentrated fruit flavors. It’s the ability to extract such intricate nuances from terroir that really fuels my passion for winemaking.” For California native Knutson, the journey into winemaking was serendipitous. Initially intent on becoming an architect, she
enrolled in California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), but during her second year, an elective class on wine and viticulture quickly changed her career trajectory. “I discovered that wine is the perfect blend of science and art, and felt driven to pursue winemaking as a career,” she says. Knutson soon took an internship with Tolosa Winery in the Edna Valley, and was hired on as their assistant winemaker immediately after graduating. Knutson honed her wine skills over a decade at Tolosa, followed by time at a custom crush in Monterey before joining Gallo in 2016 as their Burgundy winemaker. Her passion for coolclimate grapes, including from the Santa Lucia Highlands, led her to Talbott Vineyards in 2018, where she took over as head winemaker in 2022. Now, having completed her second vintage with Talbott Vineyards — her 23rd vintage overall — Knutson is a vital part of Talbott’s story, and is dedicated to honoring Sleepy Hollow Vineyard through each and every wine made. “We have
the unique opportunity of being the only producer sourcing from Sleepy Hollow, giving us total control over both vineyard and winemaking practices,” adds Knutson. “We aim to be good stewards of this land by implementing sustainable solutions so the vines can produce beautiful fruit for years to come. Our team is deeply invested in every aspect, from vine to bottle, and we’ve committed to making wines that express this vineyard to its full extent.” Under Knutson’s guidance, Talbott Vineyards continues to evolve, staying true to the traditional style of its past while pushing the limits of what’s possible from these vines. “Sleepy Hollow is such an extraordinary site, and my goal is to showcase its many varied expressions,” she says. “From bright, fresh wines to richer, more complex wines, my hope is to continue highlighting its distinct personalities and flavors, guiding the legacy of this vineyard and its wines forward.” For more info, visit: talbottvineyards.com W W W.FOOD–HOME.COM