Nancy Irelan established Red Tail Ridge with husband Mike Schnelle. Nancy is a scientist with passion; she's experienced, and a bit of a risk-taker, just the kind of person we want to make the wines... Read More

Nancy Irelan established Red Tail Ridge with husband Mike Schnelle. Nancy is a scientist with passion; she's experienced, and a bit of a risk-taker, just the kind of person we want to make the wines we drink. She started the R&D department at E&J Gallo, and climbed the ranks to VP; she eventually got sick of being a pencil pusher and was ready to make something of her own.

Experimentation is in her blood — she's planted 15 grape varieties to figure out what can best be shaped into the cool-climate, terroir focused, styles she wants to drink. But her personal taste is for bubbles, and it’s this line-up which really expresses her passion.