Tim Bell

Tim Bell has worked with a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast: still wine, sparkling, dessert, even Kosher. He graduated with honors in winemaking at U.C., Davis, learning the intricacies of wine chemistry and microbiology that form the foundation for his stylistic choices. With this education, and formative tasting experiences in a previous career selling wine, Bell arrived at a balanced, complex winemaking style all his own. Accomplishments at premium California wineries led Bell to the historic Freemark Abbey Winery where, within three months, Tim was making winemaking decisions and thriving. He worked with fruit from exceptional vineyards, such as Bosché, once called one of the ten best Cabernet vineyards in California. Freemark was steeped in Napa Valley tradition, but it also gave Tim the chance to carefully move the house style in a new and more modern direction. Becoming Director of Winemaking at Kunde Family Estate in 2006 gave Tim the opportunity to use all of his skills and experience to take on a new challenge of elevating the quality and public perception of their Cabernets and old-vine Zinfandels. His first two vintages showed dramatic improvements and gained critical acclaim. Tim’s work there broadened his winemaking experience tremendously. He used 20 different grape varieties to produce 26 different and unique wines. As winemaker for this 700-acre estate with distinct and varied meso-climates, Bell honed his skills in shaping wine quality in the vineyard. “As I’ve tasted at the great wineries of California and France, I’ve discovered that the finest wines are from those places with authenticity, with true heart and soul,” says Bell. “It’s an approach that I bring to every wine I touch.”