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AMAZING WINES
California has 17 grape crushing districts. Monterey County is number 7. Wine experts recognize our home as one of the most beautiful and diverse winegrowing regions in the world. The distinctive geography, climate and soils lead to wines that are complex, elegant and most importantly, delicious. District 7 is Monterey.
AMAZING PEOPLE
SCOTT SCHEID
President and Chief Executive Officer (& wife Nancy)
“Jazz is the soundtrack of my life. My wife, Nancy, and I met at a jazz club many years ago and, to this day, share a passion for this uniquely American musical genre. We attended our first Monterey Jazz Festival together in 1991 and haven’t missed one since.”
Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the world’s longest, consecutively-running jazz festivals. Debuting in 1958, it is held annually in mid-September on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds. Attracting top headliners, brilliant legends and emerging talent, it is an event that is a must for jazz lovers. Complementing the music are the friendships built and family feeling of inclusiveness among the musicians, jazz aficionados and casual attendees alike. District 7 is the official wine sponsor of the Monterey Jazz Festival.
HEIDI SCHEID
Senior Vice President
“Running along the trail by the Monterey Bay, especially early in the morning, is an uplifting experience for me. There are times when the sun is coming up, the water is glistening and the views along the coastline are so breathtaking that they put me in a state of total awe.”
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail follows the old Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, the historic lifeline between Monterey and the rest of California. It meanders 18 miles from Pacific Grove to Castroville.
AL SCHEID
Chairman
“I first played Pebble Beach after I took up the game of golf in my late 50s. I quickly discovered it was not only one of the most magnificent seaside courses in the world, it was also one of the most challenging. I had an astronomic score, but I enjoyed every single minute of the round. As my game progressed over the years, I was fortunate enough to play Pebble Beach many more times, always with friends and often in amateur tournaments. It has everything a true golfer could ever want – history, glorious scenery, clever routing, strong shot values, great conditions, plenty of weather (both good and bad), and a great 19th hole.”
Pebble Beach is widely considered to be the greatest public golf course in America and has been the site of many of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
TYLER SCHEID
Project Manager
“Marina State Beach is my number one destination for surfing. Local knowledge is key to a good outing. The morning’s bright sun, calm breezes and large clean swells can quickly give way to afternoon fog, strong winds and choppy shore break. But when the conditions are in alignment, the waves are unbeatable. Sharing the water with curious sea lions, seals, birds, gray whales and the occasional shark and even riding a wave with a friendly dolphin acting as your wingman is inspiring. Unhindered views of Pacific Grove, Fort Ord and the towering dunes in the Marina Dunes show off the Monterey Coast at its very best.”
Marina State Beach is one of the county’s great spots for swimming, hang gliding and/or nature watching. Water recreation can be extremely hazardous due to strong rip currents.
KURT GOLLNICK
Chief Operating Officer (& wife Janet)
“I’m a farmer to the bone. The sunrise is truly my spiritual awakening. I draw strength from the growing light as it caps the hilltops and draws down the ridgelines, contrasting with the morning shadows. As the light stretches onto our low-lying vineyards, I see the waking vines, knowing that they are collecting energy and building upon their fruit. It’s the sunlit vineyards that nudge me from the comfort of morning coffee with my wife and send me down the hill to the vineyards to start my workday.”
Kurt is pictured in his backyard, high on the Pacific Coast Range, also known as the Gabilan Mountains. Here he enjoys sweeping views of the Salinas Valley, Santa Lucia Mountains and Pinnacles National Park.
DAVE NAGENGAST
Director of Winemaking
“While each of our 11 estate vineyards has its own unique personality, my favorite is the Riverview Vineyard. I love the minerality of the Chardonnays and the exotic cherry spice of the Pinot Noirs. More importantly, I love the place. There’s nothing I enjoy more than pulling up in my truck as the morning sun peaks above the Pinnacles, shielding my face from the cold northern wind as it knifes through the rows of grapes, or catching my breath at the end of day as the sun retreats behind the Santa Lucia Range. Riverview is one of those rare vineyards that embodies beauty, quality and character.”
Riverview Vineyard is a 215-acre site overlooking the Salinas River and is the northernmost of Scheid Family Wines’ 11 estate vineyards. Dave has been Director of Winemaking for Scheid Family Wines for almost 20 years.
GREG GONZALEZ
General Manager of Vineyard Operations (& family)
Mason, 3 years: “I like the hammer sharks that have pointy teeth that chomp!” Aiden, 5 years: “I like the jellyfish, the turtles, the bat rays, the otters, the splash zone, the hammer sharks and the crazy birds!” Greg: “The aquarium is a place where my kids can have a great time while exploring and learning. To see my boys get so excited as they discover something new is a joy for my wife and me. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is truly a jewel of Monterey.”
World-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium is a non-profit institution whose mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. It is a must-see destination for families visiting Monterey.
MIKE THOMSON
Chief Financial Officer (& wife Lauren)
“Fort Ord is an amazing place to hike, bike and ride horses. I’m extremely fortunate that it is close to both my home and office, so within minutes I can be out among the trees, marshes, chaparral, grasslands and fields of wildflowers. It’s not uncommon to see black tailed deer, turkeys, bobcats, coyotes, badgers, red tailed hawks, Canadian geese, California quail, gopher snakes, coast horned lizards, golden eagles, and mountain lions along the trail.”
Fort Ord National Monument is located on the former Fort Ord military base, five miles southwest of Salinas and a few miles inland of the Pacific. It offers 80 miles of trails traversing more than 14,000 acres.
TOM HORNICK
Chief Information Officer
“Laguna Seca Raceway is one of my favorite weekend destinations. I’ve volunteered for several racing events and worked the pit gates. The 2.238 mile track was built in 1957 for both autos and motorcycles and, in addition to the races, the site hosts exhibitions, superkarts, music festivals, a gun range, great food and drink, and even camping. There’s ample parking, a beautiful scenic backdrop, consistently great weather and, best of all, it’s just minutes from my home.”
Laguna Seca Raceway (officially named Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca) is a celebrated road racing track located midway between Salinas and Monterey on the Monterey-Salinas Highway.
RALPH MENDEZ
General Manager of Winery Operations
“The Salinas Valley is my home. It is where I was married and had my children and where my family lives. To me, it is one of the greatest places on earth. It has been amazing to witness first-hand the transformation of District 7 (Monterey County) from rural farmland into a premier wine producing region. When I first started my career here, we were not known for great Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. Today, we can confidently boast that Monterey County is one of California’s top AVAs.”
The harvest of 2016 marked Ralph’s 50th harvest. He missed one harvest in 1968 while serving his country in Vietnam. Ralph is pictured here at his home with his four children and five grandchildren.