Golden milk

Dan Barwick

Although known as a winemaker, most of my work has taken place in the vineyard, working with growers to guide the farming decisions that shape the wine long before harvest.

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Vineyard Experience

Over more than two decades working alongside growers, my focus has been on creating balanced vineyards that produce evenly ripening fruit and wines that clearly reflect their site.

Areas of work include

• Vineyard balance and crop load management

• Pruning strategies and shoot thinning

• Canopy management and sunlight exposure

• Irrigation timing and vine stress management

• Harvest timing and fruit maturity decisions

• Regenerative and biologically driven farming systems

• Vineyard practices that support purity of fruit and sense of place

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Experience

Director / Winemaker

Chalkhaven Wine Company | United Kingdom

2026 – Present

Working with vineyard partners to develop wines created at source for the UK market, aligning vineyard farming decisions with wine style and fruit quality.

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Writer

The Buyer | United Kingdom

2025 – Present

Writing about vineyards, wine regions, and the relationship between farming decisions and the wines they produce.

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Winemaker / Partner

Trecini Cellars | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

1999 – 2025

Worked closely with growers throughout the Russian River Valley, focusing on vineyard balance and fruit quality for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This included collaboration on canopy management, crop levels, irrigation strategy, and harvest timing to produce wines that expressed each vineyard site.

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Winemaker / Vineyard Manager

Paradise Ridge Winery | Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

1998 – 2021

Oversaw vineyard development and farming programs supporting estate wines and a 15,000 case custom crush business. Introduced regenerative and organic farming practices including biodiversity initiatives, sheep grazing, and BioChar soil amendments.