Interview With A Winemaker – Megan Brodie

Wine isn’t just made, it’s crafted by the unwavering expertise of a Winemaker, sometimes old traditions are passed down by generations and on other occasions, new people venture into the industry, introducing us to new creations, this series of Winemaker Interviews will help you uncover the vast world and skills of how the artists passionate about wine make the world a bubbly place.

In this article we speak with Megan Brodie, an amazing Winemaker in the San Francisco Bay Area, in the United States, let’s discover a little about her time in the Wine Industry.

Tell Us About Yourself

“I grew up in Oakland, CA, and feel lucky to be from the Bay Area. It’s close to both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys and is a culinary haven – we literally have every type of food you can think of – and great wine of course. I always saw myself working in the food and beverage industry and my whole youth dreamt of becoming a chef. I ended up studying Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis and I have worked in a few sectors of the beverage industry. My main focus has always been winemaking and non-alcoholic winemaking, but I spent a bit of time in the beer brewing industry as well.”

How Did You Become Involved In The Wine Industry?

“It is a bit of a funny story. I was on a tour of UC Davis after getting accepted to the university. It was a hot day – too hot for an outdoor walking tour – so my mom and I broke away from the group to take a rest in the arboretum. On our way there, we passed the Robert Mondavi winemaking department and I couldn’t believe that there was an actual winery on campus, or that winemaking was something you could study. I was immediately sold on becoming a winemaker!”

As A Winemaker, What Has Been Your Hardest Obstacle To Overcome In Producing Wine?

“Managing picking decisions can be tough. We have to juggle some unpredictable conditions in California, especially when we have big fires. Sometimes we want to leave fruit on the vine to ripen for an extra day or so, but have to consider that fire season is around the corner, and that the fire could impact (or even destroy) the fruit.”

How Do You Determine When Your Wine Is Ready To Drink?

“I know it sounds cliché, but it really does come down to taste, and there’s no recipe for this or rule that I live by. I am always looking for a happy medium between bright acidity, soft tannins, and well-integrated alcohol. At the end of the day, you don’t want just one element to jump out when you taste wine. Rather, it needs to have depth and be able to reveal its layers and expressions over the course of a glass.”

 What Part Of The Wine Making Process Do You Enjoy The Most?

“This one is easy for me! I love blending. It is sort of the last hurrah and the moment where you determine the exact make-up of your wine. It’s also arguably the most important step. The blend is what the consumer will taste, so it’s crucial that the winemaker is happy with the final product.”

Thank you, Megan, for sharing your words, knowledge and experience with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Megan Brodie. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.