Conviction
Continuing with Uncompromising Vision
Katie Vogt
Winemaker
In 2019, Winemaker Katie Vogt began the next chapter of the Pahlmeyer legacy, armed with a reverence for its storied past and a vision for its boundless future. With Katie at the helm, Pahlmeyer’s tradition of excellence continues, infused with her unique blend of passion, innovation, and expertise.
Her winemaking journey began at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she was immersed in the intricacies of viticulture and enology, developing a keen understanding of the delicate interplay between vineyard and cellar. By 2008, she had risen from intern to assistant winemaker under the mentorship of maverick winemaker Christian Tietje in Paso Robles. Immersed in the art of blending from early in her career, Katie developed a deft touch for balancing varietals. “I get a lot of joy out of blending, of tasting a lineup of wines and envisioning what it would look like putting them together,”
she explains.
Transitioning to Napa Valley, Katie joined the venerable Louis M. Martini Winery in 2015, honing her skill in crafting distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon. Her work in the winery’s Cellar No. 254 became a testament to her philosophy: “To make wines that endure, you must understand the nuances of each site, commit to a clear vision, and remain relentless in bringing that to life.”
In 2019, Katie became Pahlmeyer’s winemaker after a year of collaboration with consulting winemaker Jennifer Williams. Her dedication to excellence involves a very intimate understanding of the vines themselves, responsively farming, vine by vine, to cultivate the intense flavors and structured balance that define Pahlmeyer. Fierce selectivity, precision, and focus drive every decision made in the vineyard and cellar.
Once the very best lots are in barrel, she meticulously blends for depth and wholeness, viewing each assemblage as a complex puzzle where each piece must fit perfectly.
Uncompromising and ever-evolving, Katie now crafts some of Pahlmeyer’s most dynamic wines to date, including the second 100-point wine in Pahlmeyer’s history, the 2021 “Raison d’Etre.” She is authoring this new, exciting chapter of Pahlmeyer, one soulful wine at a time.
Pahlmeyer Team
We are grateful for our talented, hard-working team, whose dedication to excellence makes everything we do at Pahlmeyer possible.
Miguel Montanez
Associate Winemaker
Growing up in Napa, California, Miguel Montanez was immersed in the world of wine from an early age, influenced by his parents’ careers in Winery Operations and Viticulture. In his youth, Miguel enjoyed working in his family’s garden and assisting his father in the vineyard.
His love of the land led him to the University of California, Davis, where he earned a degree in Cellular Biology. After graduation, Miguel worked several harvest seasons before completing UC Davis’ Winemaking Certificate Program. He further honed his skills at esteemed Napa Valley wineries such as Mumm Napa Valley, Kendal Jackson, and, ultimately, The Ranch Winery, where he gained invaluable experience as a custom-crush Enologist, collaborating with numerous artisan winemakers.
Now, as Associate Winemaker at Pahlmeyer, Miguel is excited to craft exceptional wines from mountainside vineyards, working alongside a talented team dedicated to excellence. Outside of winemaking, Miguel enjoys running, gardening with his children, attending performing arts events, and exploring new destinations.
Winemaking & Cellar Crew
