Calvert Woodley Catalog 2025 - Flipbook - Page 85
Q&A with Shane Finley
A VOICE FROM THE VINEYARD
Sonoma winemaker Shane Finley on California wine, Sonoma’s microclimates,
and why his philosophy is simple: let the vineyard tell the story.
Few people embody the spirit of Sonoma winemaking quite like Shane Finley. After leaving a corporate insurance career in New York
City, Shane worked harvests in California, Australia, and France’s Northern Rhône before returning to Sonoma. Since 2006, his wines
have reflected both adventure and a sense of place, with a focus on purity, balance, and letting the vineyards tell the story.
How did you first get into winemaking?
I started out in New York, working for a global insurance company. A copy of Wine for
Dummies sparked my interest, and I began paying attention to the wines served at
business dinners, visiting wine shops, and going to tastings. The more I learned, the
more fascinated I became with wine’s history and craftsmanship. By 2001, I’d left my
desk job and headed west to work on my first harvest at Copain Wines. Once I got into
the cellar, I knew I’d found my path.
Who has influenced your winemaking most?
My time in the Northern Rhône with Pierre Gaillard was incredibly formative. It was my
first vineyard-to-bottle experience, and it opened my eyes to how place and tradition
shape a wine. That respect for the vineyard has stuck with me ever since.
How would you describe the state of California wine right now?
Cautiously optimistic. The market is in flux — consumer tastes are shifting, and there
are a lot of great wines available so competition will be stiff— but there’s also
tremendous energy and creativity on the winemaking side. People are exploring new
regions, experimenting with style, and pushing boundaries in a really exciting way.
What makes Sonoma unique?
Its microclimates. Sonoma’s diversity of terroir is unmatched — from coastal fog to
inland heat, from sandy soils to volcanic rock. That range allows us to grow and craft
so many different expressions of wine, often just a few miles apart. It’s a playground
for winemakers.
How has this vintage been for you?
It’s been a cooler year, which gave me the chance to be more opportunistic with
picking decisions. The fruit ripened slowly and evenly, producing wines that are
bright, balanced, and very site expressive. What excites me most is the ripeness at
lower brix levels. We’re getting full flavor development without the high sugars, which
translates into wines with vibrancy, elegance, and freshness — bottles that are
delicious now but will also age beautifully.
What’s your winemaking philosophy, and what do you hope people experience in
the glass?
Let the vineyard tell the story. My role is to guide, not control, because each site has its
own voice. I want the wines to reflect that individuality rather than my own hand.
When someone opens a bottle, I hope they experience a true sense of place —
Sonoma’s landscapes, climate, and character expressed through the variety in the
glass.
If you could choose any wine for the table?
For Thanksgiving, I’m a big fan of Gamay with turkey, so there’s always a cru Beaujolais
on my table. It’s bright, refreshing, and versatile — the kind of wine that makes
everything on the Thanksgiving plate taste better.
About Shane
After earning an English degree
from the Virginia Military
Institute, Shane Finley began his
career in corporate New York
before a passion for wine sent
him in a new direction. He
apprenticed in California,
Australia’s Barossa Valley, and
France’s Côte-Rôtie, gaining
hands-on experience that
continues to shape his approach.
Back in Sonoma, Shane went on
to become Associate Winemaker
at the acclaimed Kosta Browne
Winery before launching Shane
Wines in 2006. Today, he remains
dedicated to crafting wines
defined by balance, vibrancy,
and a clear sense of place.
CA LV E R T W O O D L E Y
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