Philippe Coderey
Vigneron
Philippe Coderey comes from a very long line of vine growers and farmers in southern France and Switzerland. His last name finds its roots in the old French verb ‘codurer’ - which meant to cultivate vineyards. His ancestors were named after their vocation during the 11th century. He grew up on the family vineyard in Provence, France and was fortunate to be exposed to traditional viticulture techniques through elders of the family.
He worked with his father from a young age and by the time he turned 15, he was familiar with all traditional vineyard operations from plantation to pruning and through harvest. He attended a viticulture/oenology boarding school in Provence from 1977 to 1981. He finished his oenology education at the University of Burgundy in Dijon.
In 1983 he moved to the Lavaux region of Switzerland, where he worked for a year on a local estate vineyard. He was then recruited by a local family business that provided vineyards and wineries with their equipment plus pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and herbicides. After four years there, he started to develop health issues caused by the absorption of chemicals through his skin. This chemical exposure left Philippe with no choice but to quit his job. He then joined Camphill Village in Pennsylvania, United States where they offered a three-year biodynamic training class organized by the Biodynamic Association of North America. He graduated from the program and decided to live and work there for another number of years, perfecting his knowledge about biodynamic farming.
In 1999, he returned to France and was hired by the prestigious M. Chapoutier in the Rhône Valley as a vineyard manager and winemaker. Working for M. Chapoutier gave him the opportunity to work on some of the most renowned vineyards in appellations such as: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Saint Joseph, Saint-Péray, Côte-Rôtie, Chateu-neuf du Pape, Banyuls and Collioures.
In 2005 he was recruited by Randall Graham of Bonny Doon winery in Santa Cruz, California to develop a biodynamic viticulture program. While there, he implemented his biodynamic and traditional farming system upon a dozen vineyards all over the state. Since 2012 Philippe has consulted independently, working with several vineyards throughout California (Napa, Sonoma and the central coast). In 2017, he began collaborating with the Chamber of Agriculture in France where he now gives viticulture classes and workshops to local estate viticulturists and wine producers in Northern Rhone and Burgundy. In 2018 he started working as a consultant for several vineyards throughout France located in Burgundy, Provence and Beaujolais.
Natalie Winkler
Viticulture & Winemaking
Natalie’s enthusiasm for viticulture and winemaking began in an inconspicuous way. She landed a gig at a local wine bar while attending the University of Oregon. Immediately she was smitten by the variety of profiles from wines grown all over the globe. A friend and mentor at the time suggested working a harvest abroad. Recently graduated and fluent in Spanish, Natalie jumped on a plane to Spain in 2009 for vintage at Bodega Elias Mora in Toro. Once she had dirty vineyard boots and purple hands, suddenly her future became very clear.
After her stint in Spain, she moved to Healdsburg, California to pursue a winegrowing career. She’s worked at a variety of wineries in both viticulture and winemaking: Windsor Oaks, Mill Creek Winery, Westwood, and Salvestrin. At small wineries throughout Sonoma and Napa, Natalie has worked with vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley and St. Helena.
In 2013, she travelled to Victoria, Australia for harvest at Delatite Winery. In 2015, Natalie travelled to Bordeaux, France for vintage at Chateau Fontenil (owned by Dany and Michel Rolland). She has been privileged to learn from renowned winemakers David Ramey and Aaron Pott.
In June 2012, Natalie approached Philippe and asked to apprentice in order to learn about biodynamics. Given her authentic zeal for the subject, Coderey agreed to the mentorship. Currently Natalie is the viticulturist and winemaker for Salvestrin Winery in St. Helena, Napa Valley. She is very keen on farming as the key to premium winemaking.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Political Science (University of Oregon) and a Master’s in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Valladolid in Ribera del Duero, Spain.