Meet

Rudy & amy

Rudy testing aromatics of a wine
Rudy and Amy Zuidema in a wine cellar
Rudy surveying a vineyard at sunset
Rudy and Amy in a winery golf cart
Rudy explaining wine process in a cellar
Rudy carrying a bin of grapes during harvest

Rudy

Rudy Zuidema has a degree in Plant Science and Agriculture Management from the University of California, Davis. 

From his humble beginnings at St. Clement Vineyards, and through his steady advancement in renowned wineries, including Cuvaison, Honig, Robert Craig, and Ehlers Estate, Rudy has gained invaluable experience and a deep understanding of the wine industry.

From organic/biodynamic farming and cellar operations, to national sales and designing winery facilities, Rudy has synthesized an approach to winemaking that embodies an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Through his hands-on approach to viticulture and reverence for the land, Rudy brings forth wines that reflect the true essence of Napa Valley’s diverse terroir.

Thirty years on, Rudy’s superpower is a contagious enthusiasm for every aspect of the wine industry.

As the driving force behind Zuidema Wine Co., Rudy continues to push the boundaries of winemaking, crafting wines that tell wonderful stories of tradition, innovation, and the timeless allure of Napa Valley. 

Embark on a voyage through the vineyards and cellars with Rudy Zuidema, a visionary winemaker whose story is as rich and complex as the wines he crafts. Rudy’s path to winemaking was paved with a degree in Plant Science and Agriculture Management from the University of California, Davis. Over three decades later, Rudy’s superpower is his contagious enthusiasm for every aspect of the wine industry.

From humble beginnings at St. Clement Vineyards to his illustrious advancement through renowned estates like Cuvaison, Honig, Robert Craig, and Ehlers Estate, Rudy gained invaluable experience and deep understanding of the the wine industry. From organic/biodynamic farming to cellar operations to national sales distribution to designing winery facilities, Rudy forged his own winemaking philosophy; a commitment to sustainability and authenticity. Through his hands-on approach to viticulture and reverence for the land, Rudy brings forth wines that reflect the true essence of Napa Valley’s diverse terroir.

Today, as the driving force behind Zuidema Wine Co. Rudy continues to push the boundaries of winemaking, creating wines that tell stories of tradition, innovation, and the timeless allure of Napa Valley. Rudy’s connections within the wine industry have become a sanctum of indispensable relationships that effortlessly blur the lines between career and a beautiful life in the Napa Valley.

Rudy Zuidema
Rudy Zuidema
Rudy Zuidema
Amy Zuidema
Amy Zuidema
Amy Zuidema

Amy

Amy has a degree in developmental psychology from Cal Poly SLO, and a background in customer relations and marketing.

After a few years of exciting San Francisco and Napa Valley adventures, Amy and Rudy married in St. Helena in 1998. Amy continued in marketing for Araujo Estate and Robert Craig Winery, while learning the intricacies of the wine industry. Since then, they have launched Zuidema Wine Co. consulting, their own Zuidema wine label, and the innovative Flash Wine Technologies. 

By partnering with Rudy, wife Amy brings a healthy dose of acumen and perspective that supplements Rudy’s artistry. True partners in business and in life, Amy and Rudy share a commitment and a love for the Napa Valley. Their most cherished and enduring project, however, has been the raising of four beautiful children, now grown into wise young adults.

Discover Zuidema Wines

Discover
Zuidema Wines

Discover
Zuidema Wines

Zuidema Wine Co. is a full-service consulting firm that specializes in working with boutique wineries to help them create an environment of success and achieve full quality potential. Wines of the highest character can only come from healthy, balanced, and well-cared-for vineyards.  Though we specialize in biodynamic, organic and sustainable viticulture, we are equally adept at conventional farming practices. 

Rudy brings a gentle, non-manipulative approach to winemaking that leads to powerfully structured wines with layers of character and vineyard-inspired complexity.  His focused winemaking practices and techniques consistently produce increased aromas, concentrated flavors, and lengthened finishing textures in wines that become beautiful expressions of our clients’ brand.

Ultimately, the scope of our winemaking and vineyard services depends on the needs of our clients. As a Napa Valley winemaking and vineyard consulting company, we are fortunate to work with exceptional vineyard sites and grow world-class fruit. We love what we do and approach our work with joy and integrity. It is always our goal to achieve the highest standards of stewardship and profitability for our clients.

A vine post at Heritage Vineyard in Napa Valley
A vine post at Heritage Vineyard in Napa Valley
A vine post at Heritage Vineyard in Napa Valley

shop our personal collection

shop our personal collection

shop our personal collection

Method

Aromas of dried rose petals, rhubarb and molasses lead into expansive layers of velvety black cherry, maple and cedar, finishing with nuances of dark chocolate and leather.

2020 Grenache

McGah Vineyard, Rutherford Napa Valley

$42/bottle

Method

Aromas of dried rose petals, rhubarb and molasses lead into expansive layers of velvety black cherry, maple and cedar, finishing with nuances of dark chocolate and leather.

2020 Grenache

McGah Vineyard, Rutherford Napa Valley

$42/bottle

Method

Aromas of dried rose petals, rhubarb and molasses lead into expansive layers of velvety black cherry, maple and cedar, finishing with nuances of dark chocolate and leather.

2020 Grenache

McGah Vineyard, Rutherford Napa Valley

$42/bottle

Method

Aromas of dried rose petals, rhubarb and molasses lead into expansive layers of velvety black cherry, maple and cedar, finishing with nuances of dark chocolate and leather.

2021 Grenache Rosé

McGah Vineyard, Rutherford Napa Valley

$42/bottle

Method

Aromas of dried rose petals, rhubarb and molasses lead into expansive layers of velvety black cherry, maple and cedar, finishing with nuances of dark chocolate and leather.

2021 Grenache Rosé

McGah Vineyard, Rutherford Napa Valley

$42/bottle

Method

Aromas of dried rose petals, rhubarb and molasses lead into expansive layers of velvety black cherry, maple and cedar, finishing with nuances of dark chocolate and leather.

2021 Grenache Rosé

McGah Vineyard, Rutherford Napa Valley

$42/bottle

From Humble Roots to Napa Valley

Exploring the Transformative Path of a Winemaking Visionary, Rooted in Tradition and Innovation

UC Davis sign
UC Davis sign
UC Davis sign

UC Davis - Class of 1991

B.S. Plant Science and Viticulture

A vineyard in France

France (1990) - Australia (1993)

Harvest abroad work experiences.

Oakville Grocery entrance

Stock Boy at oakville grocery (1992)

Taste tested every wine in Napa Valley

Robert Craig Wine Logo
Robert Craig Wine Logo
Robert Craig Wine Logo

Robert Craig (1996-2003)

Head winemaker at 28 years old, developed 14 acres of mountain vineyards, designed new production facility

The Zuidema kids
The Zuidema kids
The Zuidema kids

4 Kids in 3 years

Owen in 2001, Mara in 2002, and twins Josie and Elliott in 2003

Rudy working the flash détente machine
Rudy working the flash détente machine
Rudy working the flash détente machine

Launched new businesses (2012 - present)

Launched private consulting business and Flash Wine Technologies and never looked back.

Rudy posing above harvested grapes in the Shadybrook wine cellar
Rudy posing above harvested grapes in the Shadybrook wine cellar
Rudy posing above harvested grapes in the Shadybrook wine cellar

Shadybrook estate (2012 - present)

As Winemaker, grew boutique brand from 75 cases to 6000 cases, while expanding vineyard holdings to over 150 acres