Craig MacLean is the winemaker for Ahnfeldt Wines. He has extensive experience with Bordeaux style wines. Craig is one of the very few winemakers in the Napa Valley with a Masters Degree in Enology.

Bruce Ahnfeldt & Craig MacLean take a break during crush

Craig was born and raised in San Diego, California. After he graduated from high school, he attended Grossmonth Community College. Three years later he transferred to the University of California at Davis and majored in Plant Science. The first stint at U.C. Davis resulted in a Bachelor’s Degree in 1982. In 1984 Craig went back to U.C. Davis and entered the graduate program in Enology. He received his Master of Science degree in 1987. During his last year at Davis, he worked the crush at Chappellet Winery. Upon graduation in June of the following year he went to work at Markham Vineyards as assistant winemaker. When Bruce Markham sold his winery to a huge company in 1989 Craig moved on to Cain Cellars as the assistant winemaker. Early the next year the winemaker switched careers and Craig was promoted to that position in April of 1990. There he continued the tradition of the highly acclaimed CAIN FIVE, and helped launch the CUVEE and MUSQUE wines as well. 1994 Craig accepted the winemaker position down the hill at Spring Mountain Vineyard and worked there for the next four vintages, helping to resurrect that great old property. He left Spring Mountain in July 1998.

At the end of 1997 Craig entered into a partnership with some friends and created Kelham MacLean wines that included Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from the Oakville bench. In early 2001 Craig sold his interest in the company and concentrated his energy on his consulting clients, and began plans to make wine under his own name, which he started with 2001 vintage.

WINE REVIEWS AND RATINGS

Craig’s wine making genius has been consistently shown in the review of his wines throughout his career. Here is just a sample of his wine reviews:

2002 Ahnfeldt Merlot, Wine Spectator 94 Points

1990 CAIN FIVE, Wine Spectator 93 Points

1996 SPRING MOUNTAIN, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 96 Points Wine Spectator, a “classic collectible” for the 1990’s decade. Wine Spectator 96 Points

1997 Spring Mountain – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Spectator – TOP WINES for 2001 - #2 rated California Cabernet Sauvignon – a “Classic Collectible” for the 1990’s decade.

1997 Spring Mountain – Estate Red Miravalle – La Perla – Chevalier, 92 Points Wine Spectator.

1998 Kelham MacLean – Sauvignon Blanc, San Francisco Chronical – Top 100 Wines for 2000.

1999 Juslyn Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Select – 93 Points Wine Enthusiast

1999 Juslyn Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – 92 Points Wine Enthusiast

1999 Kelham – Merlot 93 Points Wine Enthusiast – (Editors Choice)

1999 Kelham – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – 93 Points Wine Enthusiast

1999 Kelham Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – 90 Points Wine Enthusiast

2000 Brookdale Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 Points Wine Enthusiast

2001 Juslyn Vineyards Spring Mountain - Cabernet Sauvignon – 92 Points Robert M. Parker

2001 Juslyn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 Points Robert M. Parker

2001 Juslyn Vineyards Napa Blend – 90 Points Robert M. Parker

2002 Brookdale Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 Points Wine Enthusiast

For more information regarding Craig and his wines, log onto www.macleanwines.com