Ledge Winery expands team with new vineyard manager
Chris Hammell was formerly the long-time vineyard manager of Bien Nacido Vineyard
– Ledge Winery has announced the addition of Chris Hammell to its estate vineyard team. Hammell, formerly the long-time vineyard manager of Bien Nacido Vineyard, oversaw Ledge’s 2021 Bien Nacido Syrah, which received a 100-point score and was named a 2024 Top 100 Wine of the World by critic Jeb Dunnuck.
“Chris helped put Bien Nacido on the map,” Ledge co-owner and winemaker Mark Adams said. “We’re beyond excited to continue working closely with him, except this time on our own Adams Ranch Vineyard.”
Hammell expressed enthusiasm about his new role. “After several years of working with Mark at Bien Nacido, where he crafted truly mind-blowing Syrah, it is an honor to now collaborate directly with Mark and Ciera at Ledge as part of the Coastal Vineyard Services team,” he said. “The terroir at Ledge is incredible—unique to the area and brimming with world-class potential.”
Ledge winemaker Mark Adams was raised on Adams Ranch, the Templeton property he and his wife, Ledge co-owner Ciera Adams, now farm. In 2004, Mark Adams became an intern and later the first employee for childhood friend Justin Smith at Saxum, which neighbors Adams Ranch. During his time at Saxum, Adams learned to farm wine grapes and craft highly rated-wines.
In 2005, he and Ciera Adams planted their first vineyard block at Adams Ranch with Estrella clone Syrah cuttings from James Berry Vineyard. The estate vineyard has since expanded to include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache Blanc, and Clairette Blanche.
Along with Adams Ranch, Ledge sources fruit from James Berry Vineyard and Bien Nacido. The winery’s wine club remains open for new members, with more information available at LedgeVineyards.com.
