In 1978, Walter Schug served as the winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in St. Helena. This winery, located in the heart of Napa Valley, was founded by Joseph Phelps in 1973. As the winemaker, Schug played a crucial role in selecting the site and establishing the vineyards for Joseph Phelps.
During his time at Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Schug made significant contributions to the California and Napa Valley wine industry. One notable achievement was his creation of the first varietally labeled Syrah in California. This was a groundbreaking move, as it helped to establish Syrah as a distinct and recognized varietal in the region.
In addition to the Syrah, Schug also produced Napa Valley's first ice wine during his tenure at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Ice wine is a sweet dessert wine made from grapes that have been left on the vine to freeze, concentrating their sugars and flavors. This unique and challenging winemaking technique had not been attempted in Napa Valley before, and Schug's success with ice wine further solidified his reputation as an innovative and talented winemaker.
During my own experiences in the wine industry, I have had the privilege of tasting some of the wines produced by Walter Schug during his time at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. The Syrah, in particular, stood out to me with its bold and complex flavors. It showcased the potential of the varietal in California and highlighted Schug's skill as a winemaker.
Walter Schug's time as the winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 1978 was a period of significant innovation and accomplishment. His introduction of varietally labeled Syrah and Napa Valley's first ice wine helped to shape the region's wine industry and solidify its reputation for producing high-quality wines.