Winemakers
Meet our wonderful Winemakers
Aaron Pott
Aaron ambled down from “Chateauneuf du Pott” to join Lindsay Hoopes and the Hoopes Vineyard team in 2020. Lindsay has always admired Aaron, but an unexpected twist of fate last year reunited the two, ignited shared passions, and cemented a future for the savants to create the Hoopes wines together.
Aaron needs little introduction. Pott was destined to become a winemaker when, at a young age, Aaron accepted watered-down wine in lieu of milk during a visit to France. Aaron agreed with his co-conspirator waiter that “milk ees for babies.” Immediately, he was hooked: overtaken by wine’s prowess, or perhaps the alcohol, Pott vowed to dedicate himself to the romantic beverage….when in France, as they say.
Meanwhile, in California, Pott embarked on his mission to delve into all aspects of winemaking, including practical application. Pott studied oenology at the University of California at Davis while working part-time in the research laboratory at Robert Mondavi Winery. Eventually, Pott returned to France to complete a Master’s Degree in Viticulture from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France.
Shortly thereafter, Pott took the position of Assistant Winemaker at Newton Vineyard, under winemaker John Kongsgaard. Under the wing of his first great mento, Kongsgaard, Pott was introduced to Michel Rolland. Pott feverishly petitioned Rolland to find him a job in France, offering to simply pull hoses around a dark cellar. As a dutiful messenger should, Rolland soon sent word that he had found the ideal position: Winemaker at Château Troplong Mondot, Premier Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion.
Already promoted from cellar-hose enthusiast Day One of his tour, Pott worked for nearly six years making wine in France. But France would not keep the American darling: Napa called Pott back to a position with Beringer Wine Estates. Pott worked internationally with Beringer, all over France, Italy, and South America. Along this journey, he worked with French winemakers Jean-Louis Mandrau, formerly of Château Latour, and André Porcheret, formerly from Hospice de Beaune and Domaine Leroy. Pott’s rise to grand acclaim in Napa mirrored his swift ascent in France: Pott’s became Winemaker at St. Clement in St. Helena in 2001, and in 2004 Pott accepted the position as Winemaker and General Manager at Quintessa.
Ultimately inspired to work with a limited quantity of small, noble producers – of his ownesteemed selection - Pott formed Huis Clos Consulting and started Pott Wines.
So why Hoopes? Pott was drawn to the idea of creating classic wines that are representative of the great appellations in Napa Valley, specifically the Oakville appellations, and Hoopes’ home. But, it was more than just the beautiful land, grapes, and Oakville-heritage that drew Pott to this new role. From their initial meeting, Pott was profoundly moved by proprietor Lindsay Hoopes’ overall ethos, passion, and creativity, which run through every aspect of Hoopes Vineyard. It was a match made in Napa, well, vineyards.
Pott lives in Mt. Veeder with his wife, Claire, and daughters Tosca and Isolde. In his spare time, Pott enjoys chasing waves, chasing his chickens, being in nature, curating his garden, and finding interesting views on long hikes, or ski slopes. Of late Aaron has become a big fan of the fried chicken and Oasis by Hoopes, but remains loyal to Ray Ray’s Tacos of St. Helena.
Anne Vawter
Former Winemaker
2012-2018
Anne Vawter loves horses and wine. Growing up on a farm in Walla Walla, Washington, Anne developed a deep appreciation for agriculture from her father, and inherited his love of wine. He introduced her to wine through tastings of Leonetti, L’Ecole No. 41, and other wines from that region. After graduating from University of California, Davis with a B.S. degree in Viticulture and Enology in 2002, she worked in wineries in Washington, California, and for an extended harvest season in Chile as the crew boss for Caliterra. Her arrival in Napa brought her to Paradigm Winery in Oakville, where she became Heidi Barrett’s assistant for four years. Anne credits much of her own winemaking style to that period, but continues to challenge and test her palate. She frequently travels to both old and new winemaking regions in her quest for more knowledge.
Jennifer Rue
Former Co-Winemaker
2012-2018
Jennifer’s foray into winemaking began in 1995 when, instead of graduate school, she moved to Napa making an auspicious landing in the Oakville Appellation. Her 11-year stint at Miner Family Winery presented Jennifer the opportunity to work with numerous upper echelon winemakers from around the world who quietly custom crushed there at the time. This supercharged education exposed her to many winemaking styles, tools, and a range of varietals from across Napa and California’s many sub-appellations and established her as a winemaker’s winemaker.
Serendipity struck again in 2010 when Jennifer reunited with friend and fellow Oakville winemaker, Anne Vawter while working as her assigned production winemaker at another well-known custom crush winery.
In 2014, when Anne’s portfolio grew to include another of Jennifer’s assigned projects, Hoopes, they decided it was a good time to officially join forces. Jennifer and Anne have an unusual partnership for Napa that speaks to their common pursuits of excellence beyond personality and hierarchy. Jennifer’s meticulous and focused winemaking complements Anne’s wide-ranging wine knowledge, instincts, ease, and flow.
Approaching her third decade in the wine industry, Jennifer’s deep knowledge of wine growing and skillful execution of precise winemaking techniques is reflected in the incredible Hoopes wines you taste today. Outside of winemaking, Jennifer keeps herself busy with gardening, exploring an eclectic range of hobbies and fermentation of all sorts. Jennifer lives in Alta Heights, Napa with her family and animal menagerie.