Our Winemaker

Sam Patterson

Owner and winemaker Sam Patterson focuses on small batch, single-vineyard wines that highlight the high-elevation sites he farms throughout El Dorado County. Currently, approximately 350 acres within the Fair Play region are planted to grapevines, and this award-winning wine scene is gaining popularity and acclaim.

Sam studied at UC Davis, where he earned a combined degree in Viticulture and Enology in 1998. His first industry job was the Viticulturalist for the Charles Krug Winery in the Napa Valley. In 2001, Sam became Director of Vineyard Operations for Renwood Winery in Amador County, a position he held until he established his own vineyard-management company in 2006. He and his wife started producing wine in 2004 and then purchased the property at Shadow Ranch in 2006 where they have remodeled the old farmhouse and founded a state of the art wine production facility producing outstanding wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Sirah, Zinfandel, Grenache and Barbera.