{"id":2689,"date":"2026-03-05T13:38:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T13:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2689"},"modified":"2026-03-05T13:38:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T13:38:30","slug":"winemaker-interview-series-kale-anderson-of-kale-wines-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2689","title":{"rendered":"Winemaker Interview Series \u2013Kale Anderson of Kale Wines &#8211; December 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Kale-Anderson-Domaine-de-la-Riviere-Winemaker.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-2691\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Kale-Anderson-Domaine-de-la-Riviere-Winemaker.gif\" alt=\"Kale Anderson\" width=\"180\" height=\"268\" \/><\/a>On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, we interviewed <a href=\"https:\/\/kalewineconsulting.com\/kale-anderson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale Anderson<\/strong><\/a> once again. This time we covered the wines that he makes for his own label, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalewines.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale Wines<\/strong><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">. We covered a Marsanne-and-Roussanne blend from the 2021 vintage. We then covered three 2021-vintage Chardonnay offerings from single vineyards. Next up was a 2021 Grenache-based wine and, finally, we wrapped up with a Syrah from the 2020 vintage. We met and interviewed Kale for the first time in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2670\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>October 2025<\/strong><\/a> when we covered the Domaine de la Riviere wines that he makes. In this post, you will learn more about Kale, his brand, and all of these wines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits that Kale shared.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale Anderson grew up in Santa Rosa.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wine was not on the table growing up in his household.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale made friends with lots of vintner\u2019s children.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His first job in Jr. High was washing barrels for the Bilbro family.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale attended UC Davis to pursue a pre-med program.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He discovered they had a wine program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He also discovered all the hottest girls signed up for a wine tasting class. (Kale took that class all 4 years)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Meanwhile he also discovered he might like this major and changed from pre-med to winemaking.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale&#8217;s first internship was at J. Wine in 2001. Since they made sparkling wine their harvest was early, so he could get back to school for the fall semester. This internship sealed the deal. He was now bit by the winemaking bug.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After graduating with a BS in Viticulture and Enology, he worked at Colgin Cellars.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mark Aubert was the winemaker and became a mentor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He helped move the winery from a custom crush facility to their estate winery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The experience was a crash course in what you can make if you are given all the right tools and resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale&#8217;s second job was at Terra Valentine Winery.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phil Baxter (Sam&#8217;s brother) was Kale\u2019s college roommate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale as assistant winemaker here from 2003-2005<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale&#8217;s next stop was at Cliff Lede Vineyards in the Stags Leap District from 2005-2012.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here Kale help build the caves and the new winery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They also replanted all the vineyards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale hired Jason Moulton as an assistant winemaker. Jason is now the Director of Winemaking and Viticulture at Whitehall Lane Winery.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale then moved over to Pahlmeyer Winery in 2012 to become their Director of Winemaking.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While at Pahlmeyer, Kale became one of the youngest winemakers to earn 100 points from Robert M. Parker.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He helped expand the Jayson brand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In 2015 the winery was sold to Gallo.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale wanted to get into consulting and after fifteen vintages, the sale to Gallo gave him the opportunity. Kale began consulting in 2016.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale has his own brand that he started with 3 barrels while working at Cliff Lede. He also consults for about 10-15 other clients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\">Vineyard Tidbits<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A18 (Antica Vineyard owned by the Antinori family) Kale started with this block at Pahlmeyer. It is next to Kongsgaard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ritchie Vineyard \u2013 Kale gets grapes from the old vine section. He is usually 1st or 2<sup>nd<\/sup> to pick.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hyde Vineyard \u2013 Kales has been close friends with Chris Hyde (Son of Larry) for 20 years. He gets the Montrachet and Clone 76 fruit from here.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kale Wines are made at <a href=\"https:\/\/thewinefoundry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The Wine Foundry<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Kale Wines that we covered with Kale. 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalewines.com\/collection#\/wines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale Wines website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Kale-Wines-Logo-1.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2693 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Kale-Wines-Logo-1.gif\" alt=\"Kale Wines Logo\" width=\"600\" height=\"96\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Kale-2021-Alder-Springs-Vineyard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale 2021 White Blend &#8220;Alder Springs Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Mendocino County) $40 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 91.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Kale-2021-A18-Chardonnay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale 2021 Chardonnay \u00a0&#8220;A18&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Napa Valley) $75 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 90.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Kale-2021-Larry-Hyde-and-Sons-Chardonnay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale 2021 Chardonnay &#8220;Larry Hyde &amp; Sons&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Carneros) $95 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Kale-2021-Ritchie-Vineyard-Chardonnay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale 2021 Chardonnay &#8220;Ritchie Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Russian River Valley) $95 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 92.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Kale-2021-McGah-Vineyard-Heritage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kale 2021 Red Blend &#8220;McGah Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Rutherford) $75 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 92.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">6) <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Kale-2020-Hyde-Vineyard-Syrah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kale 2020 Syrah &#8220;Hyde Vineyard&#8221;<\/a><\/strong> (Carneros) $80 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can find reviews of past and future Kale Wines that we cover on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine.php?winery=3177\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><u>Kale Wines KWG 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 3, 2025, we interviewed Kale Anderson once again. This time we covered the wines that he makes for his own label, Kale Wines. We covered a Marsanne-and-Roussanne blend from the 2021 vintage. We then covered three 2021-vintage Chardonnay offerings from single vineyards. Next up was a 2021 Grenache-based wine and, finally, we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2692,"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":[3349,3350,1544,13,3351,3352,3297,1541,88,3353,3000,175,2270,1540,123,3354,1201,1187,2691,3355,102,249,43,1192,3356,1256,2001,3357,126,8,6,1288],"tags":[3341,2356,3342,3343,1551,491,3344,3337,3346,3335,3300,1509,1763,3334,3338,2978,3347,3336,2081,3348,2343,3345,1508,507,3340,2211,1165,1562,2080,1469,910,633,1154,2976,1481,3339],"class_list":["post-2689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alder-springs-vineyard","category-antinori","category-carneros","category-chardonnay","category-cliff-lede","category-colgin-cellars","category-domaine-de-la-riviere","category-grenache","category-high-end-wines","category-hyde-vineyard","category-kale-anderson","category-marsanne","category-mendocino","category-mourvedre","category-napa-valley","category-pahlmeyer","category-red-blend","category-red-wine","category-ritchie-vineyard","category-roussanne","category-russian-river-valley","category-rutherford","category-syrah","category-terra-valentine","category-the-wine-foundry","category-virtual-wine-tasting","category-white-blend","category-whitehall-lane","category-wine-ratings","category-wine-recommendations","category-wine-reviews","category-zoom-wine-tasting","tag-a18","tag-alder-springs-vineyard","tag-antica-vineyard","tag-antinori","tag-carneros","tag-chardonnay","tag-chris-hyde","tag-cliff-lede","tag-clone-76","tag-colgin-cellars","tag-domaine-de-la-riviere","tag-grenache","tag-hyde-vineyard","tag-j-wine","tag-jason-moulton","tag-kale-anderson","tag-larry-hyde-sons","tag-mark-aubert","tag-marsanne","tag-mcgah-vineyard","tag-mendocino-county","tag-montrachet","tag-mourvedre","tag-napa-valley","tag-pahlmeyer","tag-phil-baxter","tag-red-blend","tag-ritchie-vineyard","tag-roussanne","tag-russian-river-valley","tag-rutherford","tag-syrah","tag-terra-valentine","tag-the-wine-foundry","tag-uc-davis","tag-whitehall-lane"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689","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=2689"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2698,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689\/revisions\/2698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}