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"High Risk–High Reward"
Jeff Mangahas, Winemaker
Hartford’s philosophy of "high risk–high reward" is a perfect fit with Jeff ’s outlook and career track. His focus is Pinot Noir from cool climate, premium estate vineyards in the Green Valley Appellation, as well as Chardonnay and Zinfandel.
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Hartford Family Winery People
Jeff Mangahas, Winemaker
Jeff grew up in Washington State, graduating from the University of Washington in 1993 with a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Beginning his career
as a cancer research scientist, Jeff opted to stay in his home state initially—Washington was then a up-and- coming wine region with a handful of world-class producers, affording Jeff the opportunity to taste many good wines for little money. Eventually, his career took him to New York City, where his interest in wine switched into high gear as he discovered the abundant restaurants and the wines of the world they offered.
During this time, Jeff took his love of wine on the road, visiting the wine regions of France, and beginning his wine collection in earnest with the highly touted 1989 and 1990 Bordeaux vintages. With his scientific background, he also discovered he had a real passion for learning about the winemaking process as well, and it soon became clear that his
hobby should become his career path. "On a trip to Paris, I had a meal with my wife and some friends at Alain Ducasse. The meal was wonderful but the wine was absolutely sublime. I will never forget the fragrance and power of that Comte de Vogüé Musigny." The following year Jeff put research science behind him and enrolled in the UC Davis winemaking program, earning his M.S. in Enology in 2003.
Jeff noticed his taste in wine was also changing, and the Bordeaux in his wine collection seemed to have transitioned into wines from Burgundy. After a harvest at Artesa Vineyards and Winery, he came to Dutton-Goldfield Winery to dig into the pinot grape further. Beginning as enologist in 2002, Jeff was promoted to assistant winemaker in 2003. During this time he also assumed the responsibilities as Facility and Production Manager at the Laguna Oaks Winery where Dutton-Goldfield, Bolleto Vineyards, and SoloRosa Wines are produced.
In April 2006 Jeff was named Winemaker at Hartford Family Winery in Forestville. Hartford’s philosophy of "high risk–high reward" is a perfect fit with Jeff ’s outlook and career track. His focus is Pinot Noir from cool climate, premium estate vineyards in the Green Valley Appellation, as well as Chardonnay and Zinfandel.
"More than almost any varietal, Pinot Noir has the ability to translate the sense of place to what’s in the glass. Making Pinot from the extreme ridges of the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River is especially intriguing, as we source fruit from many microclimates – and it’s fascinating to see how each one is unique."
Jeff lives with his wife Crystal in Santa Rosa, where he spends his free time cooking, drinking wine, and enjoying the company of family and friends.
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