Personalities
Kevin Willenborg
Winemaker, Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery
Kevin Willenborg is a versatile winemaker with over 28 years of extensive experience, covering a wide section of the industry’s key regions including Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Sonoma, British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, as well as California’s Central Coast. Throughout his travels, Willenborg has garnered numerous reputable accolades by producing fine wines of distinction.
Having studied Fermentation Science at the University of California at Davis, Willenborg’s fast paced career started in 1984 while interning at Chateau Petrus. Here, he not only learned the key elements of shaping a world class wine from ground to glass but also received a great introduction into the industry’s traditions and philosophy.
Thereafter, Willenborg held key winemaking roles at Louis M. Martini in St. Helena, CA and Cedar Creek Estate in Kelowna, Canada, where he was successful with the challenging grape growing environment of the Okanagan Valley and designing the layout for their new winery facility. Later on, Willenborg lead the winemaking program at Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos, CA, overseeing over 500 acres of estate vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. Prior to joining Vina Robles, he spent two years as associate winemaker at Rubicon Estate in Rutherford, CA where he was in charge of managing all vineyard and winemaking operations.
In spring 2012, Willenborg was hired to lead the winemaking program at Vina Robles. “Each wine has its own life. That life begins with the planting and development of the vines. It is then transferred from the earth through the vine as the grapes are harvested, crushed, fermented into wine and eventually bottled,” he explains. “The role of the winemaker is to respectfully steward this life with care and attention to detail.” Willenborg’s winemaking philosophy is in line with the Vina Robles vision. His team approach to winegrowing and passion in working with the vines allows him to craft elegant wines that truly express their terroir.
