Raised on a 400-acre farm, Pete Soergel grew up immersed in agriculture alongside his father and grandfather, learning that farming demands equal parts intuition, hard work and humility.
He went on to get a degree in horticulture at Virginia Tech before heading west. “I found wine by finding myself,” he says—a philosophy that continues to shape his work today.
Soergel launched his career at Landmark Vineyards, then joined Kosta Browne, rising from intern to cellarmaster under founders Michael Browne and winemaker Shane Finley. He later returned to Landmark before Finley invited him to Lynmar Estate in 2012. Promoted steadily to winemaker in 2017 and ultimately general manager, he now oversees all aspects of the estate in close partnership with proprietors Lynn and Anisya Fritz.
At the heart of his work are Lynmar’s four estate vineyards, where he and his team conduct up to 90 small-lot fermentations per vintage. “Lynmar is the model of a true estate, which is rare,” Soergel reflects. “We grow the grapes, make the wines, and we pair them with seasonal foods we grow in our own gardens. Everything is connected by the same visions and values … the sum is even greater than the individual parts.”
Amber Turpin: How did you get into this work?
Pete Soergel: I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on an apple farm, so agriculture was always part of my life. After graduating from college, I wanted to head west to California to explore grape growing and viticulture. That interest led me to an internship in winemaking, and more than 20 years later I’m still happily making wine and doing what I love.
Did you ever have an ‘aha’ moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
My ‘aha’ moment came during my first trip to California wine country in 2005, when I was 23. I was visiting the area with my aunt, and we opened a 2001 St. Francis Pagani Ranch Zinfandel. I remember being blown away by the wine, the power, finesse and vibrant fruit flavors all working together. It was the first time I truly understood how expressive and complex wine could be, and from that moment on I knew I wanted wine to be part of my life.
What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
I tend to gravitate toward white wines at home. That said, sometimes there’s nothing better than a simple glass of whole milk.
Where do you like to go out for a drink?
Underwood and Russian River Brewing
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking (besides fresh water)?
Good wine.
Lynmar Estate Winery, 3909 Frei Rd., Sebastopol, 707.829.3374, lynmarestate.com.
