Sarah Wuethrich
2023 Women in Wine Awards: Excellence in Winemaking Award
Journey in the wine industry and role as a winemaker: “My path to winemaking began at the University of California at Davis where I took an oenology class at my father's suggestion to earn extra credits, graduating with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology in 2001,” said Wuethrich.
She came to Sonoma County where she honed her technical skills at wineries such as St. Francis and Lambert Bridge, and later cofounded a new wine label for Naked Wines, focusing on lesser-known Portuguese grape varieties from small California vineyards.
“In 2010, I worked closely with co-founder and winemaker Wells Guthrie at Copain Wines and fell in love with Anderson Valley and its cool-climate wines.”
Wuethrich joined the Maggy Hawk team and was named winemaker in 2017. Her advocacy for the region soon led to her becoming president of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association.
Contributions to the wine industry: With a passion for producing wines with a positive ecological footprint, Wuethrich served as a co-leader of the Jackson Family Wines’ Regenerative Farming Committee.
“The goal of this pioneering initiative was to elevate sustainability efforts, transform farming practices, and enhance land management to combat the detrimental effects of climate change,” Wuethrich explained.
She also helped make significant strides in advancing the understanding
of soil health's impact on wine quality by partnering with the University of California, Davis, in the first grant-funded study spanning multiple wineries across California where she oversaw wine trials and facilitated the transfer of grapes and resources to the UC Davis campus.
This research explored how soil-focused practices, such as composting and grazing techniques, affect wine quality.
Her efforts extend to mentoring other women in the industry through organizations like Les Dames d'Escoffier and Bâttonage Forum.
Sarah Wuethrich
Maggy Hawk Wines and Windracer Company
Mendocino and Sonoma counties
Maggy Hawk Wines
9001 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466; PO Box 218, Philo, CA 95466
Website: maggyhawkwines.com
Phone: 707-901-9040
Windracer Company
10075 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Website: windracerwines.com