Manveer Sandhu

Winemaker Manveer Sandhu got his wine wings at some of the biggest and best in the business, Delicato Family Vineyards and E. and J. Gallo Winery. But he didn’t originally aim for a career in wine. His Bachelor’s Degree in Neurobiology was the first step in a plan for a pre-med path that he hatched in high school. However, a job as a lab tech in the Viticulture and Enology Department while still a student at UC Davis redirected his career from medicine to wine when he discovered his real passion.

Lucky for sparkling lovers he became fascinated with grape growing and winemaking. Although the first part of his career was spent focused on still wines, today Manveer serves as Executive Director of Winemaking at Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services in Healdsburg, California. In addition to producing the Rack and Riddle sparkling wines, he oversees the production of hundreds of brands of Methode Champenoise sparkling wines for custom crush clients.

What does Sparkling wine symbolize for you?

For me, sparkling wine symbolizes my journey in the wine industry, and the happiness and fulfillment it has brought to my career. I started the first seven years of my career working with still wine, and now 12 years at Rack & Riddle working with both still and sparkling wines. By far the most rewarding experience has been bringing sparkling winemaking to those not familiar with it and accompanying them on their voyage of appreciating and loving these delicious little bubbles.

What Sparkling wines are you loving right now?

I love all sparkling wines, there is one for each celebration or meal. Currently I am loving Blanc de Noirs (BDN). The technical expertise required to craft a rich, expressive and elegant BDN really resonates with me. I love when the complexity of the acidity, fruit expression, and earthy undertones come together to form a beautiful sensory symphony.

Each of Rack & Riddle’s BDN programs ranging from Sonoma County, North Coast and Napa express this balance differently, so it’s so much fun to try these together. We are also releasing our Russian River Appellation Series this year for the first time so, I am extremely excited about these special vintage specific blends that have extended time on lees to soak up that amazing character from the yeast autolysis.