Christopher Carpenter Named Winemaker for Cardinale; Continues as Lokoya Winemaker

from: BUSINESS WIRE

OAKVILLE, Calif.--May 22, 2002--Christopher Carpenter has taken the helm at Cardinale succeeding veteran winemaker Charles Thomas. Thomas will continue as consultant to Carpenter on the Cardinale wines. Carpenter will retain his role as Lokoya Winemaker at the Cardinale Estate.
Cardinale is a red proprietary wine blended from the highest quality vineyard sites available along the Mayacamas Range. According to Carpenter, "This is an artisan wine created by precise farming and then blending vineyard blocks from select mountain and hillside vineyards, the end result being a multi-layered wine of great finesse."
Carpenter joined the winemaking team on the Cardinale Estate in 1998 as Enologist. He assisted in the production of Cardinale, Lokoya and Pepi. In 1999 he was promoted to Assistant Winemaker. He was named Lokoya Winemaker in 2000. Lokoya makes Cabernet Sauvignon from individual appellation specific vineyards on Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Veeder Peak.
A Chicago native, Carpenter graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and the University of Illinois, Chicago with a Masters of Business Administration. After visiting the Napa Valley, Carpenter became fascinated with the wine industry and was soon pursuing his passion.
Carpenter gained experience as a Harvest Enologist at Domaine Carneros Winery, a Vineyard Intern at Domaine Chandon California and a Research Intern at Tenute Antinori, Santa Cristina Estate in Montefiridolfi, Italy. In 1998, Carpenter received his Masters of Science in Horticulture from the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis.
Carpenter lives in Napa Valley with his wife and daughter. He established the Napa Valley Convivium of the Slow Food Movement and is currently the Convivium Leader.
The Cardinale Estate is located in Oakville, Calif. The estate is home to Cardinale, Lokoya and Atalon Winery as well. The estate tasting room is open by appointment.