A Master of Terroir: Erich Bradley's Winemaking Philosophy

The Early Years

Erich's love for wine was kindled in his family home, where his father's casual interest in collecting wines exposed him to the world of fine vintages. A pivotal moment came during a Christmas dinner in 1995 when a bottle of 1990 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon opened his eyes to the profound experiences wine could offer.

In 1998, Erich's parents purchased a property in Kenwood, Sonoma Valley, complete with a small vineyard and bonded winery. This serendipitous acquisition became the catalyst for Erich's deep dive into the world of winemaking. Initially viewing it as an adventure, Erich soon found himself captivated by the process of crafting wine.

Education and Early Career

Driven by his newfound passion, Erich pursued his education in winemaking through classes at Santa Rosa Junior College and later at UC Davis. His background in biochemistry and philosophy provided a unique foundation for understanding the science and art of winemaking.

"Great wine is impossible without great grapes. You might make mediocre wine from excellent fruit, but you can never create outstanding wine from anything less than the best grapes."

Erich's first significant role in the industry came in 2000 when he joined Arrowood Vineyards as a harvest lab technician. This position quickly evolved, and within three years, he had worked his way up to assistant winemaker. The experience at Arrowood exposed him to a wide variety of grape varieties and winemaking techniques, setting the stage for his future endeavors.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

In 2003, at the age of 32, Erich took a leap of faith and became the winemaker for Audelssa, a small family-owned winery. This opportunity allowed him to focus on the kind of winemaking he was most interested in – small-batch, boutique production from high elevation vineyards. As Erich describes it:

"I was interested in boutique, small-batch winemaking. At that winery, I was doing everything by myself – all the punch downs, crushing, pressing, everything."

His dedication to hands-on, detail-oriented winemaking paid off. The 2003 vintage, in particular, caught the attention of renowned wine critic Robert Parker.

Concurrently, Erich co-founded Sojourn Cellars, focusing on Pinot Noir. This venture showcased his versatility as a winemaker and his ability to craft exceptional wines across different varietals. He partnered with Craig Haserot, a retired software sales executive with a passion for wine. This partnership allowed Erich to focus on winemaking while Craig handled the business side, creating a successful formula for Sojourn Cellars.

Philosophy and Approach

Erich's winemaking philosophy centers on meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for the land. He believes in managing the minutiae of winemaking, from vineyard to bottle, to create wines that accurately express their terroir. His approach involves treating each batch of wine with care, often using small-lot production techniques to maintain quality and complexity.

In Erich's own words:

"Caring about what's happening in the corners of the winery and treating everything as precious is crucial when making wines that accurately express where the grapes come from. That's the essence of the Burgundian approach."

A key aspect of Erich's philosophy is his commitment to collaboration and continuous learning. He values the input of skilled viticulturists and is always open to new techniques that can enhance the expression of the grapes' terroir.

"I've always thought that you make better wine when everybody is invested emotionally and feels appreciated and respected."

The Ojai Mountain Project

The Ojai Mountain vineyard represents an exciting new chapter in Erich's winemaking journey. Located at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet in Ventura County, this unique site caught Erich's attention due to its potential for producing wines with exceptional freshness and complexity.

"I fell in love with it immediately. There was a visceral reaction when I first set foot on the property. I knew that if we could establish a vineyard here and farm it conscientiously, it would produce wines with notes different from anywhere else."

Erich sees the Ojai Mountain project as an opportunity to create wines that showcase the distinctive terroir of this high-elevation site. He's particularly excited about the potential for Syrah, which he believes will be the standout variety from the vineyard. The white wines, including Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, are also showing great promise.

What sets the Ojai Mountain wines apart, according to Erich, is their remarkable freshness and tension. The high elevation and marine influence contribute to wines with lower pH levels and vibrant acidity. Erich is committed to letting these unique characteristics shine through, often opting for neutral oak to avoid masking the wine's natural expression.

Looking to the Future

For Erich, the Ojai Mountain project is about more than just making great wine in the short term. His vision extends far into the future, focusing on establishing a vineyard that will reach its full potential in 20 to 30 years. This long-term perspective reflects Erich's deep commitment to the land and his desire to create a lasting legacy in the world of wine.

"My focus is on setting up this vineyard for the long haul. It's not a short-term game. I'm certain that the best wines from this vineyard will be made by someone who comes after me. My job is to lay the foundation for that future."

As we continue to develop the Ojai Mountain vineyard, we're thrilled to have Erich Bradley at the helm. His expertise, passion, and visionary approach promise to yield wines that will not only reflect the unique terroir of our high-elevation site but also push the boundaries of what's possible in Ventura County winemaking.