Adam Mettler Named 2018 Winemaker of the Year

A terrific honor not only for Mettler and Michael David Winery, but for Lodi as a winemaking region as the Lodi native beat out winemakers across the world, including talented nominees from Napa Valley, Italy, France and Australia to take home the award.

Mettler is the Director of Wine Operations for Michael David Winery, overseeing a production team of around 45 people.  

Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s profile on Mettler mentions that consumers often associate Michael David’s wine with big flavors underneath the “brash labels” and “tongue-in-cheek” names like Rage, Freakshow and Inkblot, but it was Mettler who said it was his main responsibility to overdeliver on quality and flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

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HUGE congratulations to Adam Mettler, winemaker at @michaeldavidwinery, for winning Winemaker of the Year from Wine Enthusiasts Magazine! Such a high honor and so well-deserved! Adam is a 5th generation winegrape grower in Lodi, CA, one of the many talented and innovative winemakers coming out of our town. . . #winemakeroftheyear #winestarawards #wineenthusiast #lodica #lodiwine #visitlodi #visitcalifornia #californiawine

“I am not the fun guy, the creative guy,” Mettler told Wine Enthusiast Magazine. “I am the get-things-done-behind-the-scenes guy. I like to think that our wine quality has gotten better over time even with the growth, which doesn’t always happen for people. That’s an awful proud thing and a testament to all the people working for me here.”

Growing up as a fifth-generation member of a Lodi farming family, Mettler began fermenting beer and wine as a teenager while working his family’s vineyards. He then took his passion for creating to California State University, Fresno where he majored in viticulture and enology with a minor in chemistry.

Upon graduation, Mettler took off to Australia to work a harvest before returning to California to become an assistant winemaker in Livermore.

It wasn’t until 2005 when Mettler was recruited by Michael David through co-founder Michael Phillips’ son that he joined Michael David Winery and helped establish the winery as one of the best in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

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Our very own Adam Mettler has been named @wineenthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year! With more awards and recognition under his belt than you can shake a bottle of Zin at, it’s hard to imagine anyone more deserving than this 5th generation born and raised Lodi legend. Link in bio to the full story! #thisismichaeldavid

A post shared by Michael David Winery (@michaeldavidwinery) on Nov 1, 2018 at 5:03pm PDT

Wine Enthusiast Magazine goes on to explain how Michael Phillips and his brother David were originally in charge of the winemaking.

“I set the tone for what the Michael David style would be,” Phillips told Wine Enthusiast, “but Adam has taken it to a whole new level.  He’s the master blender, making the decisions for the final-final blends before bottling.”

Apart from growing up in one of the grape capitals of the USA, Metter acknowledged California winemaker Barry Gnekow for helping him develop while also crediting the high quality of sustainable grapes that Michael David requires from its growers, including Mettler’s own family. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Congratulations to Adam Mettler, our son, brother, uncle and wine maker. We’re so proud of you! From those early wine making years to being named wine maker of the year from Wine Enthusiast Magazine! Congratulations, making Lodi proud! @mettlerfamilyvineyards @michaeldavidwinery @wineenthusiast #winemakeroftheyear #mettlerfamilyvineyards #soproud #lodiwine #winemaker #wineenthusiast

A post shared by Mettler Family Vineyards (@mettlerfamilyvineyards) on Nov 2, 2018 at 9:34am PDT

Mettler received his Wine Star award during a ceremony in Miami, Florida on January 28 among family, friends, the Lodi Wine community and some of the most influential people in the wine business where he was officially recognized as the Winemaker of the Year. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last night the Lodi community came together in Miami to celebrate Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year Adam Mettler of Michael David Winery and Mettler Family Vineyards. Congratulations Adam and all the other Wine Star Award winners! We are so proud of you! #WineStarAwards #WineEnthusiast @wineenthusiast

A post shared by Lodi Wine (@lodi_wine) on Jan 29, 2019 at 12:15pm PST

Read the full profile on Mettler on Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s website or for a local perspective, check out the Lodi News-Sentinel’s profile on the top winemaker in the world for 2018!