Ramato 2020

Despite her impressive resume — BS in finance from San Jose State University, master’s degree in enology and viticulture from France’s Montpellier SupAgro, level three WSET certification, level two certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers — Terah Bajjalieh operates with the barebones grace and startling sincerity of someone who learned to make wine in a dream, not in a classroom. Terah’s strength is her feel for texture. While most winemakers view skin-contact as strictly binary (reds have it, whites don’t), Terah sees it as a sliding scale — and a bridge to endless exploration. It also allows her to push back on our conventional notions of wine type and to find beauty between the lines. Terah works with organic and biodynamic vineyards, choosing partners who emphasize environmental and social responsibility. Her approach is equally empirical and intuitive — she’s just as likely to conduct a trial as she is to listen to her heart. And as anyone whose tried her wines will tell you, her approach has paid off.