Walter Schug was intimately familiar with the Carneros region, and its potential as world-class Pinot Noir country, long before he staked his reputation on it. In the 1960’s he worked with Carneros grapegrowers as Gallo’s Head of Grower Relations. In the 1970’s and 1980’s he pro- duced wine from Carneros as winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. In 1983, Walter’s commit- ment to the young region’s potential was fully demonstrated when he left Phelps to pursue his own vision of Pinot Noir, using Carneros as the foundation for his own brand.