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Winemaker
Thomas Rivers Brown is one of the most exciting talents in winemaking today. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Thomas developed an interest in wine while attending the University of Virginia.
Thomas followed his interest and moved to the Napa Valley where he began making wine at Turley Wine Cellars. In 2000, Thomas joined the Schrader Cellars team as winemaker and today crafts a brilliant portfolio of classically styled wines. In Thomas, Fred Schrader found a passionate young winemaker with great talent and an absolute dedication to making "no holds barred" wines at the highest level. Today, Thomas oversees all aspects of the vineyard management and winemaking practices for Schrader Cellars ensuring excellence at every stage.
In October 2008, Thomas made history as the youngest winemaker to score not just one, but two perfect "100 point" scores from Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate, for the 2006 Schrader "Old Sparky" and 2006 Schrader CCS Cabernet Sauvignons. In the 30-year history of The Wine Advocate, this is the first time two Cabernets from the same producer in the same vintage have received two perfect scores.
Then in March 2009, Thomas struck double platinum when Senior Editor James Laube, Wine Spectator, awarded two top "99 point" ratings to the 2006 Schrader "Old Sparky" and 2006 Schrader T6 Cabernet Sauvignons (to date, the highest score awarded by Wine Spectator for American wine in their blind tasting program).
We raise our glasses to T.B. for scoring these unprecedented achievments in record time.
Thomas is an avid sportsman who enjoys cycling, volleyball, and taking curves at speed in his Aston Martin Vantage.
• Winemaker, Schrader Cellars since 2001
• Assistant Winemaker, Turley Wine Cellars, 1997 - 2001
• Winemaker, Aston Estate since 2001
• Winemaker, Vieux-Os since 2001
• Winemaker, Double Diamond since 2002