William Knuttel Vineyard Designate Wines

Long time California Winemaker William Knuttel has concentrated on ultra-premium winemaking for the majority of his career. His philosophy has long been to make a wide range of wines in various styles every vintage, for the simple reason that the number of vintages for any winemaker is quite finite. This wealth of experience has led directly to his adherence to traditional winemaking practices, which lead to balanced, elegant wines that pair well with foods and have excellent aging potential—the hallmarks of classic wine.

William Knuttel’s winemaking journey began at Saintsbury, where he was winemaker from 1983 to 1996 and established that brand as an international leader in high-end Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Burgundian style. William Knuttel was also Vice President and Winemaker at Chalk Hill Winery from 1996 to 2003, specializing in ultra-premium Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. From 2003 to 2011 Knuttel was Executive Winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, where he completely re- honed the styles and quality of that winery’s extensive portfolio. Knuttel was also ZAP’s winemaker in  2005, producing their Heritage Zinfandel, and President of the California Cabernet Society from 1999-2003.

William Knuttel is a long time resident of Napa Valley. His daughter Kate, a dancer, graduated from California College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, while his son Sebastian, a cellist, studied at UC Santa Cruz, receiving his BA with a major in Mathematics–both are currently part of the family business. Knuttel’s hobbies range from golf to genealogy, and he travels often to the Argentine wine region of Cafayate. As an avid music lover, Knuttel developed the Napa Valley Youth Symphony, a non-profit dedicated to bringing professional orchestral experience to talented young musicians, and he currently sits on the board of Berkeley Symphony, where William Knuttel Winery is an official sponsor.

ABOUT THE LABEL ART

Designer Jeffrey Caldewey captured William Knuttel’s kinetic wine world with Etienne-Jules Marey’s 1890 “chrono-photograph,” in which multiple exposures are superimposed to show the complete motion of “le coup d’epee.” The image metaphorically highlights the balance, finesse, power and poise valued by the wine-maker.

For more information, please visit our Trade Assets page.

William Knuttel wines are limited in production

Current releases are below
  • 2016v William Knuttel Dry Creek Valley Petit Sirah, Rafanelli Vineyard, Rex & Amarica Blocks
  • 2017v William Knuttel Dry Creek Valley Petit Sirah, Rafanelli Vineyard, Rex & Amarica Blocks
  • 2017v William Knuttel Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Rafanelli Vineyard
  • 2018v William Knuttel Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak
  • 2018v William Knuttel Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Peterson Vineyard
  • 2019v William Knuttel Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Biglieri Vineyard
  • 2019v William Knuttel Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Bucher Vineyard, Ancient Olive Block
  • 2021v William Knuttel Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Ziblatt Vineyard
  • 2021v William Knuttel Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Rued Mt. Olivet Vineyard