Olson Ogden Wines was founded by Tim Olson and John Ogden.

Tim Olson, with 21 years of winemaking under his belt and a large amount of experience in other wineries here in Northern California, (Tarius Wines, Acacia Winery, Caymus Vineyards, and Rosenblum Cellars and prior to all these, 3 years at Tonnellerie Nadalie in Calistoga, just to name a few), his resume proves his over-qualification to produce an exceptional wine.

John Ogden manages the marketing, sales and business side to Olson Ogden Wines. With Olson’s diverse winemaking background and Ogden’s special business and marketing background the combination has proven successful. Ogden was an early employee at America Online in Dulles, VA where his experience in marketing and sales increased rapidly. He has also played the role of president of Progressive Design Playgrounds, environmentally safe and natural playgrounds that are available nationally.

As everything must have an equal, Olson and Ogden perform both sides of the wine business where if one were without the other, the quality of the wine produced would be entirely different.

Olson Ogden Winemaking:
Winemaking starts with the grapes in the vineyard, and the terrain of which they are grown. Olson and Ogden’s farming philosophy is, “We look for wisdom in the thinking, simplicity in the design, passion in the approach and excellence in the execution.” As winemakers, growers and farmers have certain preferences and certain beliefs for the success of their vintages, “We prefer hillsides to valley floor, organic farming to agro-chemical approaches and we feel the most important variable in the equation is the attitude of the grower and their commitment to excellence.”

With the last statement being half the battle of producing a fine wine, these two are dedicated to doing just that. Alder Springs Vineyard, Manchester Ridge Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Stagecoach Vineyard and Unti Vineyard are the five vineyards of which Olson and Ogden create their vintages. Alder Springs Vineyard and Manchester Ridge both of which are located in the cool Mendocino County, thus making the ocean’s natural surrounding environment one of the main characteristics in these wines. Located in high elevations with constant offshore winds and cooler temperatures, never higher than 90 degrees, making it prime location for the farming of the “fickle” Pinot Noir and Syrah’s. The other three vineyards are located in the Russian River Valley, Napa Valley and the Dry Creek Valley.

All of which yield a little bit of a warmer environment, yet no two vineyards are alike. The Russian River is the perfect atmosphere for Pinot Noir’s with its rocky terrain creating excellent drainage. However, Olson Ogden have two sites on the Russian River of where they get their grapes from, one of which is on a hill (drains well) the other sits on a valley floor, therefore making water management a key component of its success. Stagecoach Vineyards in Napa Valley sit above the fog line allowing sun to rest upon them but not their neighbors lower down in elevation, while Unti Vineyards in Dry Creek have made it their passion to have adaptive and self-sustaining vines, thus making these wines carry the land in the taste of each sip. “The wines have taken on more minerality and show more depth and range in the core of fruit that defines the wines.”