Red Thread Wines
Napa Valley AVA
A tiny Napa Valley winery already recognized for its incredible wines and bright future for the Brakesman family
Even though he was born and raised in the wine-filled Napa Valley, Brian Brakesman never felt he would wind up in the great grape industry while attending college.
Brakesman had chosen Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo for his schooling and had received his degree in agricultural engineering in 1999, with a minor in irrigation design.
"As I neared graduation," Brakesman commented in a recent interview, "I began feeling that a career based on irrigation wasn't all that interesting. I hadn't really thought about the wine business until a great opportunity opened the door for me. I had gone to New Zealand and Australia and played rugby at a fairly high level before I came back home for good. Fortunately, a wonderful break came my way, and as I look back, I am lucky to have made the correct decision."
That prospect came in the form of renowned winemaker John Gibson, the celebrated winemaker for Napa Valley icons Vine Cliff Winery and Stags Leap Wine Cellars for starters. Gibson had just founded a consulting company and quickly hired Brakesman for his staff. John Gibson became his friend and mentor and taught him the fine art of winemaking. "John is a gifted professional in every respect and has won a slew of awards for his wines. He took me under his wing and taught me the correct way of doing things in the cellar. I owe a great deal to him and his approach to winemaking," Brakesman added.
Brian Brakesman learned quickly and eventually landed assistant winemaker jobs at Duckhorn Vineyards and Paraduxx Vineyards. His first job as winemaker came in 2005 when he headed Ledson Winery and Vineyards' winemaking operation in nearby Sonoma County.
By 2009, Brian and his wife Gretchen made the decision to go out on their own and the fledgling Red Thread Winery became a reality. The name 'Red Thread' comes from a Chinese proverb that says that two people who are destined to be together are bonded by a red thread that somehow ties them to each other. The pair had met in San Francisco more than sixteen years before, when they discovered a common interest in wine and each other. The red thread is prominently featured on the brand's eye-catching label that was designed by Gretchen Brakesman.
Red Thread's first release came in 2014, a microscopic 56 cases. Needless to say, the wines proved incredibly popular and accolades came pouring in.
"We are fortunate to have fruit from my family's 20-acre ranch on Howell Mountain," Brakesman continued. "We have managed to double our Red Thread production each year and will produce around 300 cases this annum. We review our progress each year and base our production on actual demand. Our wines tend to sell out quickly, which is a win-win for everyone."
Brian Brakesman feels that his forte in winemaking is the fine art of blending that he has developed during his winemaking career. "I don't want to sound arrogant," he related. "I am always humbled by the accolades we receive. But, my family's Howell Mountain estate fruit is arguably the best in Napa Valley (many wine industry insiders publicly and privately agree with this premise) so I consider the blending of this fruit an insight into what the wines of the future will be from Napa Valley. I'm just happy to be part of the whole experience, even if Red Thread represents just a small portion of the entire production of Napa Valley."
Red Thread Winery is already recognized for its incredible wines and the future remains bright for the Brakesman family. Even though it is a tiny operation, it fulfills an important cog in the vast machinery that is the Napa Valley production area. It is our pleasure to present Red Thread to our Platinum Plus! Wine Club members.
Map of the area
Dear Platinum Wine Club Members,
Happy New Year!
We are so excited that your are being introduced to our wine, Red Thread Wines. Our wines are Estate grown, produced and bottled at the family winery on top of Howell Mountain in the Napa Valley.
We are a boutique wine producer and age our wines in 50% new French oak barrels. Brian Brakesman, the winemaker, has been making wine for 25 years and grew up on the winery and vineyard. The wines that he blends for the Red Blend are hand-picked from different lots that are aged in different selections of French Barrels. It’s all about having the right tools to work with when you are putting a blend together.
We hope you enjoy our wine with your friends and family. It’s all about the connections we make in life and how you grow them. If you have any questions or would like to come and visit us, please reach out.
Cheers and love,
Brian and Gretchen Brakesman
Owners of Red Thread Wines
