{"id":2457,"date":"2025-01-23T03:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T03:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2457"},"modified":"2026-02-18T01:13:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:13:27","slug":"winemaker-interview-series-alpha-omega-melissa-paris-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2457","title":{"rendered":"Winemaker Interview Series \u2013 Alpha Omega \u2013 Melissa Paris &#8211; December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Melissa-Paris-Alpha-Omega-Winemaker.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2458\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Melissa-Paris-Alpha-Omega-Winemaker-300x230.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa Paris - Alpha Omega Winemaker\" width=\"300\" height=\"230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Melissa-Paris-Alpha-Omega-Winemaker-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Melissa-Paris-Alpha-Omega-Winemaker-768x590.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Melissa-Paris-Alpha-Omega-Winemaker.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, we had a chance to interview and get to know <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aowinery.com\/winemaking\/winemaker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Melissa Paris<\/a>.<\/strong> Melissa is the new winemaker for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aowinery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega Winery<\/strong><\/a>. We covered eight of her new 2022 vintage wines. All were Cabernet Sauvignon offerings except for a red blend from Spring Mountain. We previously interviewed Melissa\u2019s predecessor Matt Brain back in December 2023. In <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2261\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our previous post with Matt<\/a> <\/strong>we covered the 2021 vintage wines and more about the winery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Before we get to the wine reviews, I thought I would share a few new tidbits we learned during the tasting with Melissa.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Matt Brain was her first enology professor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Melissa&#8217;s early experience was working with winemaking teams in Australia, New Zealand, and California<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Melissa joined Alpha Omega in September of 2020 as an assistant winemaker.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She had a little crossover with Jean Hoefliger in 2020.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Melissa quickly rose thru the ranks to Associate Winemaker in the beginning of 2023 and eventually rose to her current position of Winemaker in July 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She is continuing her education and currently pursuing a Global Wine Executive MBA degree from Sonoma State.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Since we only covered the 2022 vintage, we discussed it in length. Some key points were.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was a drought year vintage and there was a heat event in September.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The whites came in, in August, so they were good.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They had to rush to bring in all their reds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">AO made wine from 14 of the 16 AVA&#8217;s in 2022. Diamond Mountain didn&#8217;t make the cut and they did not have a source from Stags Leap.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately, the 2022 Howell Mountain wine was a one and done project. They no longer have access to the fruit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Angel&#8217;s Vista Vineyard is not on a map. AO created the name. It is managed by same growers of Sleeping Lady. It is near the Pritchard Hill area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">AO does about 25,000 cases per year. They have a barrel cooper on staff year round.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The 2023 and 2024 vintages were big vintages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Houyi Yineyard was bought, so they only got fruit for the 2021 and 2022 vintages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They have had 4 rows at Beckstoffer&#8217;s To Kalon Vineyard for 15 years. They now into another block for a 8 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sleeping Lady is one of their last vineyards to be harvested.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There will be a Beckstoffer&#8217;s Missouri Hopper wine in 2023 and 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There will be a Beckstoffer&#8217;s Bourne wine in 2023 and 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was no Thomas Vineyard Cab in 2022. However, It&#8217;s back for the 2023 and 2024 vintages. In 2024 it will have a new name.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is a Tench 2023 and 2024 wine that we look forward to covering. This vineyard backs up to Screaming Eagle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cordes touches the Stagecoach Vineyard on 3 sides. The 4th side is the highest elevation were you can plant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The 2022 ERA wine is made from grapes from Cordes, Stricker, Sleeping Lady, and Circle K.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">AOX is their top tier wine. Only 1 barrel is made.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Alpha Omega that we covered. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also purchase these wines on the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aowinery.com\/Wine-Shop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alpha Omega website<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Alpha-Omega-Logo.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1993\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Alpha-Omega-Logo.gif\" alt=\"Alpha Omega Logo\" width=\"275\" height=\"192\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Proprietary-Red-Spring-Mountain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 US Red &#8220;Proprietary Red Spring Mountain&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $170 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Howell-Mountain-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Howell Mountain&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $170 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Angels-Vista-Vineyard-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Angel&#8217;s Vista Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Napa Valley) $290 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 96<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Sleeping-Lady-Vineyard-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Sleeping Lady Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Yountville) $290 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 95.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Houyi-Vineyard-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Houyi Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Napa Valley) $290 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 96<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">6) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Beckstoffer-To-Kalon-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Oakville) $290 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 97<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">7) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Atlas-Peak-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Atlas Peak&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $170 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 95.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">8) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-ERA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;ERA&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Napa Valley) $330 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 98<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Additional Wine Covered After Our Tasting With Melissa<\/strong><\/span>. (<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">So Far<\/span><\/strong>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">9) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Marston-Vineyard-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Marston Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Spring Mountain) $290 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 95<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">10) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Alpha-Omega-2022-Drew-Block-Stricker-Vineyard-Cabernet-Sauvignon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Alpha Omega 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon &#8220;Drew Block &#8211; Stricker Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Mt. Veeder) $290 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can find reviews of past and future Alpha Omega wines that we cover on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine.php?winery=2033\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><u>KWG Alpha Omega winery page<\/u><\/strong><\/a> on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! \u2013 Ken<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, we had a chance to interview and get to know Melissa Paris. Melissa is the new winemaker for Alpha Omega Winery. We covered eight of her new 2022 vintage wines. All were Cabernet Sauvignon offerings except for a red blend from Spring Mountain. We previously interviewed Melissa\u2019s predecessor Matt Brain [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2459,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[602,103,1756,2107,2747,18,2748,1757,2264,1188,2003,1405,2745,2746,123,1759,1206,2749,2266,1758,1186,2750,105,2202],"tags":[904,2752,2758,2767,2118,2760,2762,2764,625,2754,2766,1410,1767,2753,1416,2756,2761,779,2755,2768,1406,2751,2763,507,661,1590,1409,1327,2759,2256,2757,1766,640,2765,2769,2254,1725,897],"class_list":["post-2457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alpha-omega","category-andy-beckstoffer","category-andy-erickson","category-atlas-peak","category-bourn-vineyard","category-cabernet-sauvignon","category-cordes-vineyard","category-diamond-mountain","category-era","category-howell-mountain","category-jean-hoeflinger","category-matt-brain","category-melissa-paris","category-missouri-hopper-vineyard","category-napa-valley","category-oakville","category-private-reserve","category-proprietary-red","category-sleeping-lady-vineyard","category-spring-mountain","category-stagecoach-vineyard","category-tench-vineyard","category-to-kalon","category-yountville","tag-alpha-omega","tag-alpha-omega-winery","tag-angels-vista-vineyard","tag-aox","tag-atlas-peak","tag-barrel-cooper","tag-beckstoffer","tag-bourn-vineyard","tag-cabernet-sauvignon","tag-cal-poly-san-luis-obispo","tag-circle-k-vineyard","tag-cordes-vineyard","tag-diamond-mountain","tag-enology-professor","tag-era","tag-global-wine-executive-mba","tag-houyi-yineyard","tag-howell-mountain","tag-jean-hoefliger","tag-marston-vineyard","tag-matt-brain","tag-melissa-paris","tag-missouri-hopper","tag-napa-valley","tag-oakville","tag-pritchard-hill","tag-proprietary-red","tag-screaming-eagle","tag-sleeping-lady","tag-sleeping-lady-vineyard","tag-sonoma-state","tag-spring-mountain","tag-stagecoach-vineyard","tag-stricker-vineyard","tag-tench-vineyard","tag-thomas-vineyard","tag-to-kalon-vineyard","tag-yountville"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2457"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2468,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2457\/revisions\/2468"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}