Kristi Seitz

Kristi and Charlie Seitz

“A new wine is both an invention and a discovery.”

Hugh Johnson

Kristi Seitz-Founder, Owner-Brookdale Vineyards

As on outsider, sometimes life doesn’t seem fair!

Kristi Seitz is another of those “born and raised in Napa” wine folks.  In other words she is not a newbie to the area or to wine.  But her story, at least from my perspective, is about a single mother who is raising a 7 year old son, works in the fields and makes 90+ point Cabernet Sauvignon, all simultaneously!  Her husband Mike died tragically more than 6 years ago, but not before planting their own vineyard.  Today it is that vineyard, on the Silverado Trail, that Kristi personally works all spring and summer and then picks the fruit in the fall.  “Mike’s dream was for us to make great wine together for a long time, then retire and have Charlie (their son) keep the heritage of Brookdale Vineyards alive,” said Kristi.

Brookdale Vineyards started producing wine in 2000 and in 2002 had a vision called “13 Appellations”.  This is a project Kristi is a partner in with 3 other friends.  “The idea of 13 Appellations was to make a high quality wine blend using the finest fruit from all 13 designated appellations in Napa Valley,” explains Kristi.  But, now there are 15 appellations and Kristi says they will keep up with the winning philosophy.  More on 13 Appellations wine in a moment.

Remember, this is not so much a story about an attractive young woman in the wine business; rather it is about a lady who has overcome great trials to make a success of her and her husband’s dreams…making a wine to celebrate all that Napa has to offer. 

Kristi, graduated from Sacramento State College and loves the wine industry and business of wine.  Like a lot of people in the industry her approach is learning the trade of wine at the school of ‘hard knocks’;  learned on the job.  “In 2004, the year after my husband passed away I made wine at a small, family-owned winery.  They provided all the equipment, but there was no staff!  I knew this was going to be tough, but this was a great opportunity for me to learn the entire wine making/production process,” explains Kristi.  “And I did learn a lot very quickly!”  With the help of my dear and loving family, we processed 8 ton of cabernet that first year.  I was there from the moment the grapes were delivered and took part in every aspect of making the wine until the final product was bottled.  “I figured if I was going to continue pursuing this dream of ours then I needed to know everything about making the wine (which my husband had previously overseen in the past),” Kristi explains.  This was Kristi’s year!  Her winemaker, Craig MacLean was there almost daily to oversee the operation and teach her how to use some of the equipment unfamiliar to her.  It was an experience she claims never to forget or take lightly.
Brookdale Wines are available only through restaurants, on-line and via the winery.  She realizes that being a single parent keeps her close to Napa.  It makes it hard because to really promote our wines a winery owner needs to get in front of the consumer and be very hands-on.  So for now she keeps the name out there by direct mail, e-mails and local tastings.  It also doesn’t hurt having 90+ wines.

Now, back to 13 Appellations. This is a very nice wine that comes from the collaboration of Kristi’s late husband and 3 friends.  The strategy was to make a wine using premium fruit from all the appellations in the Napa Valley for this hybrid wine.  When they started the process in 2002 there were 13 appellations, then 14 in 2004 and in December 2009 the 15th appellation was approved.  So when the 2009 vintage is released they will call it 15 Appellations.

How good is the current 14 Appellations Meritage?  Well, according to Bounty Hunter Wine Merchant, “One of the most decadent and compelling red blends we’ve encountered in recent memory… a runaway hit with anyone lucky enough to have tasted it.”  Last year Kristi and her Appellation partners produced only 900 cases.

One thing common amongst  everyone I have met in Wine Country is their unalterable love of farming grapes, the attention to detail, enjoyment of making the best wines and willingness to try something new. 

It’s hard to believe there are so many women in the agricultural business called winemaking. Some really highly acclaimed and award winning female winemakers call Napa home.  Every one of these ladies in the wine business has a unique story, philosophy about wines, and a willingness to accept the life of farming.

Background:
Kristi was raised in Napa Valley.  She grew up working at her family’s business, the Soda Canyon Store.  She met Mike while working at the store, married and together they began Brookdale Vineyards.  Her family still resides in Napa.  She loves the Valley and has no desire to move away.  Many locals complain of the traffic and tourists, but it is the bread and butter of her businesses (Brookdale, 13 and 14 Appellations and the Soda Canyon Store) and she welcomes the tourists.

“Selling wine in 2010’s economy is more challenging than before.  Wine is still selling, you just have to work a little harder at selling your product than before.  It is important to stay well connected to your customers.  When you are making a good wine and you believe in the quality of your product you will succeed even in these difficult times,” says Kristi