A Golden Second, Kristen McMahan’s Enjoyable with Small Heaps

Kristen McMahan grew up in Atwater, in California’s Central Valley, the place her proximity to Yosemite sparked a lifelong love of the outside. 

While learning communications and journalism on the University of Arizona, a six-month change in Australia ignited her ardour for wine. 

In 2012, she relocated to Sonoma County, becoming a member of Korbel’s winemaking staff, incomes an enology diploma from Santa Rosa Junior College and gaining cool-climate expertise at Freestone Winery. Since becoming a member of Goldeneye in 2019 as winemaker, McMahan has change into one in every of Anderson Valley’s most celebrated pinot noir specialists.

Amber Turpin: How did you get into this work?

Kristen McMahan: Like many on this trade, I had a circuitous path to winemaking pushed by ardour and curiosity. In school, I used to be lucky to spend my final semester learning in Australia. While I used to be there, I did a good quantity of wine tasting and was bitten by the proverbial “bug.” Actually, I used to be stung by a Portuguese man o’ battle—however that’s a narrative for an additional time. 

Upon returning to the U.S., I started volunteering to assist with bottlings and wine membership pick-ups to get my foot within the door. In 2012, I moved to Sonoma County to noticeably discover the thought of a profession change to wine manufacturing. I enrolled within the viticulture and enology program at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) and secured a harvest internship as a lab technician. After that first season, I knew this was the profession path I wished to pursue, because it’s my perfect mix of science and artistry.

Did you ever have an ‘aha’ second with a sure beverage? If so, inform us about it.

I by no means actually had an affinity for chenin blanc till I visited the Loire Valley. I attended a tasting occasion within the city sq. of Vouvray, hosted by native producers. Upon first sip, my eyes opened large, and I instantly realized how lovely these wines might be. I’ve been a fan ever since.

What is your favourite factor to drink at dwelling?

Empress gin with Fever Tree tonic and a squeeze of lime or a vibrant glass of Txakoli.

Where do you prefer to exit for a drink?

For wine, Disco Ranch in Boonville. For cocktails, Bravas and Underwood have a number of the finest.

If you had been caught on a desert island, what would you wish to be ingesting (in addition to recent water)?

Tough query. I might hope that some bottles of Goldeneye Pinot Noir washed ashore with me. I think about myself savoring every sip whereas sitting by a campfire on the seaside, watching the sundown.

Goldeneye,9200 CA-128, Philo, 707.895.3202, goldeneyewinery.com.