Long before he became the winemaker and general manager at Conn Creek, one of the Napa Valley s storied Cabernet wineries, Jeff McBride figured it out: Winemaking is both an art and a science. Over the years, Jeff has carefully mastered both. In addition to nearly three decades as a winemaker, McBride who holds degrees in biochemistry and philosophy from the University of Colorado published a long-running column on winemaking and the environment and for several years taught a college course on winemaking chemistry and sensory evaluation. This unique blend of experience in wine production and evaluation gives McBride a distinct perspective on the business and craft of premium winemaking. A philosopher-winemaker, McBride believes that wine enhances life. Wine brings joy and stimulates communication. It is consumable art. McBride put down roots in California s wine country nearly 30 years ago and made consumable art for the acclaimed Sonoma wineries Kenwood and Dry Creek before arriving at Conn Creek in 2003. Making Bordeaux varietals at those wineries was excellent experience for creating the best possible blends for Anthology, the Bordeaux-style blend that is Conn Creek s pinnacle wine. It also gave him the tools to craft exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons at Conn Creek, says McBride. To make great Cabernet you need to know how to make other varietals in order to understand balance and the importance of terroir, says McBride. It s all about comparing and contrasting to make the most exceptional wine you can. One of Jeff s priorities at Conn Creek has been to develop the winery s AVA program, which sources premium grapes from each of Napa Valley s 14 subappellations for a series of AVA-specific, small-production Cabernet Sauvignons. Conn Creek has always created distinctive wines from the best sites within Napa Valley, said McBride. Our goal in evolving the AVA program is to define and refine Napa s pedigree as the top U.S. Cabernet-producing region, and in the process drive our Cabernets forward into the 21st century. Founded in 1973, Conn Creek immediately established itself as one of Napa Valley s premier Cabernet houses with the release of its 1974 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery specializes in limited production Bordeaux varietal wines from Napa Valley s best vineyards, and stands alone in sourcing premium Cabernet Sauvignon from each of the Valley s 14 sub-AVAs. The winery is named for its location, next to Conn Creek near the Rutherford Crossroad that connects Silverado Trail with Highway 29.