Wine Pro Wednesday
Winemaker Edition
Prior to joining Domaine Carneros in 2008, TJ Evans spent 10 years in a variety of winemaking positions around the world, during which he developed not only winemaking knowledge, but a deep love of Pinot Noir and the decision to make it the focus of his professional life.
Evans grew up in Northern California and completed his undergraduate studies at Amherst College, in Massachusetts. Early in his career, he landed winemaking internships at Robert Mondavi Winery and then Far Niente Winery, where his interest in winemaking was piqued. However, it wasn’t until a life-changing trip to the northern Rhône Valley and an apprenticeship that focused exclusively on Pinot Noir that he cemented his future in winemaking.
In 1997, after completing his master’s degree at UC Davis, TJ traveled to New Zealand to work harvest at Villa Maria Estate, and then to the Rhône Valley, where his time at 500-year-old Domaine Jean-Louis Chave put his winemaking life in perspective.
Upon his return to the United States, Evans took a position at La Crema Winery in the Russian River Valley, where he focused on crafting Pinot Noir—and ignited an obsession with the grape. He then went to Alderbrook Winery in Dry Creek Valley, where he continued to work with Pinot Noir in addition to single-vineyard Zinfandels. While his focus was to expand his knowledge of Pinot, working with Zinfandel was one of the most influential aspects in his understanding of blending. From 2005 to 2008, Evans returned to the southern hemisphere, this time developing a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir estate for Vinedos y Bodegas Corpora in the Bío Bío Valley of Chile.
Upon returning from Chile, and drawing from his past experiences, Evans knew that Carneros was where he could best use his Pinot Noir–making skills. Domaine Carneros was an easy choice: It allowed him to apply his 10 years of experience to the still wines while also exploring the use of Pinot Noir in a way that was new to him—in the production of sparkling wine.
1. How or why did you become a winemaker?
I am a frustrated artist. I saw winemaking as a craft that I could master by applying myself to the understanding of both the vineyard and the cellar.
2. What are the most frustrating and rewarding parts of making wine?
As farmers we must submit ourselves to Mother Nature. We cannot control the growing season – we simply have to react to what we are given. This is beautiful because it brings us in contact with the subtle rhythm of the seasons, but it is humbling to feel so powerless. For me, the most rewarding part is to be able to pull out a wine, whether old or new, and share it with friends, family, and strangers (aka new friends). When you make a connection over a bottle of wine, or even about that bottle of wine, it is a special kind of shared communication.
3. What is your most memorable vintage?
So many vintages for so many different reasons. 2011 for its delicate ethereal beauty. 2015 for the concentration. 2013 for the sheer power and longevity. I guess I like the odd vintages.
4. What is an upcoming trend you see in wine?
Creativity is a trend in itself. We are a traditional industry, and I love to see producers exploring things like natural wine, Pet Nat, new varieties, whatever…It makes us all better. We are fortunate that we don’t have laws restricting what we grow and how we make it.
5. What is the best piece of advice someone has given to you?
No one remembers how much wine you made – only how good it was.
TJ Evans
Pinot Noir Winemaker
Domaine Carneros
You will not regret a life spent learning, loving, and living wine.
6. What is one tip you have for someone who is interested in winemaking?
Go for it. You will not regret a life spent learning, loving, and living wine. There is always something new. A new vintage, a new region, a new challenge.
7. What do you drink at home?
Lately I have been enjoying a local pear cider. Of course, there is a lot of Pinot Noir from different regions including Burgundy. I have even started to really appreciate the history of the Napa Valley through the Cabs from the 80s and 90s. They are beautiful wines that just take a little more cellar time until they are as supple as Pinot Noir.
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