The Somm Journal

6 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 first press first press W hen Derek Rohlffs star ted the Bravium wine brand in 2007, he was a man on a mission to make world-class wines with premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown in the coastal regions of California. But unlike many winemakers who learn their skills at an early age, Rohlffs is a relatively late bloomer who didn't star t making wine until his early thir ties. Rohlffs' parents didn't drink wine during his upbringing in Southern California, so it wasn't until he received his degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and started working at VIP events and auctions at casi - nos that he came in contact with high-end wines and spirits. The next big turning point came in 1999, when Rohlffs was invited to a special ret- rospective tasting at Mayacamas Vineyards in Napa Valley with proprietor Bob Travers, whom Rohlffs' dad, Duke, grew up with in Pasadena. Rohlffs admits he was hooked after tastin throuh the anificent library selections of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1970s and 1980s. "That day marked a priceless education, a sensory experience and an intellectual revelation all in one," he says with a smile. "I remember asking Bob how the wines could still have so much life and energy. He told me the keys were high-quality grapes, acid and structure. At that point, I knew I wanted to investigate these factors in more detail." To pursue that dream, Rohlffs moved to the Bay Area and enrolled in winemaking courses at the University of California, Davis in 2000. Over the next few years, he broadened his perspective with trips to the premiere wine regions in France, Italy and Australia, and he polished his skills with the help of Jeff Brinkman of Rhys Vineyards while making wine in his garage. He also realized that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were the grapes he liked to work with the most. "Wise people told me to make the styles of wine that I enjoyed and believe in," Rohlffs says. "In the end, these two grape arieties really fit y personality and allow me to create wines I like to drink." Channeling the Complexity of the Anderson Valley As a descendent of the Cherokee tribe, Rohlffs was called "Winter Hawk" by his parents when he was young. Today, his tra - ditional respect for nature is exhibited in his harmonious, hands-off approach to the grapes he works with from the Anderson Valley, the Russian River Valley and other cool-climate areas highlighted in his wine programs. As a result, he is able to capture the purity of the fruit and the unique char - acteristics of the vintages and vineyards in his annual bottlings. Located in the southwestern corner of Mendocino County, the Anderson Valley is known for its stunning landscape, pristine vineyards, dense forests, hillside terraces Bravium 2016 Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and Bravium 2016 Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley. by Christopher Sawyer / photos by Nat & Cody 6 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

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