Kristina Shideler, Winemaker
"Much of my early inspiration as a winemaker came from spending time in the mountain vineyards of the Stonestreet Estate, and the full-circle opportunity to return to Stonestreet is a true privilege. I was first part of the team at Stonestreet in 2012 where my relationship with the mountain and its kaleidoscope of soil types, exposures, and micro-climates really began to blossom.
My success at Stonestreet led me to my first full-time head winemaking position at Sonoma County's Arrowood Winery in 2015 where I’ve worked with a number of Sonoma County's finest mountain sites and have always maintained an intimate relationship with Stonestreet's high-elevation vineyards.
Now, after eight years, I am truly honored to return and make world-class wines from one of the places where it all began for me, and I look forward to sharing these inspired wines."
– Kristina Shideler, Winemaker
Born in San Diego and raised in Missouri, travel has always fueled Kristina's passion for wine. While growing up, during the summers her mother would lead groups of college students on study-abroad trips throughout Europe and would bring Kristina and her sister along. One common thread throughout each unique experience that stayed with her was the mealtime ritual– with the wine and food always being such a fascinating reflection of both the people and the land. While summers were spent feeding Kristina's curiosity, the rest of her childhood was spent in the home of America’s first recognized AVA (American Viticultural Area): Missouri.
Kristina ran cross-country while attending Mizzou– aka the University of Missouri– where she double-majored in Biochemistry and Agricultural Economics. In 2007, she interned with a Missouri winemaker, working her way from the vineyards and bottling line to the cellar. Kristina remembers the invaluable wisdom she received, “Taste everything you can get your hands on. Never stop learning and never get bored.”
Kristina's passion for wine and travel continued to blossom which soon took her to harvests across the globe. Following a stint in New Zealand, Kristina enrolled at the University of California Davis Viticulture and Enology Masters of Science program in 2009, specializing in viticulture coursework.
Kristina’s next adventure took her to the steep vineyards of Neipoort Vinhos in Portugal’s Douro Valley. She became fascinated by the unique complexities of mountain vineyards and studied how the dramatic interplay between climate and elevation as well as varying soil types are critical to making high-quality wine. As Kristina made her way around the world, she spent time in South America working at Bodega Caelum in Mendoza, Argentina where the vines rise 3,280 feet above sea level before returning to North America, landing in California at Sonoma County's renowned Vérité Estate. It was here that cemented her desire to produce artisan Bordeaux wines reflecting the terroir of remarkable, high-elevation vineyard sites.
In 2015, Kristina was named Winemaker of Arrowood Winery where she inherited the legacy of Sonoma County winemaking pioneer Richard Arrowood, reinforcing the winery’s reputation for quality and shining a light on the differences of the region, crafting wines of extraordinary balance, complexity, and beauty from three sub-AVAs: Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, and Sonoma Valley.
When she is not out in the vineyards or in the cellar, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family and two small children. True to form, you can also find her running, gardening, or hosting food and wine pairing dinners.
