Penelope Gadd-Coster
USA
Penelope's Wines
- USA
- 10 wines
- 1 style
The expert behind the most famous sparkling in America
If it's famous and fizzy, chances are Penelope's the talent behind it. Having worked with iconic California sparkling houses like Schramsberg, Mumm and J Vineyards & Winery, she’s made hundreds of premier bubbles over the years.
Discretion is key. When you work with prestigious sparkling houses like she does, you keep the name dropping to a minimum. But it's fair to say her talent has influenced the famous sparkling you know and love.
With 30+ years of winemaking under her belt, Penelope is a sparkling wine expert. Now thanks to you and her friends at Breathless (a female-led Healdsburg winery), she’s making her own sparkling for the very first time!
Penelope Gadd-Coster's Story
Avid motorcyclist. Fly fisherman. 90-point sparkling winemaker. Penelope Gadd-Coster is a woman of many talents – in fields where women are few.
In fact, it was her determination to challenge the expected that led her to the cellar of Jordan Vineyards & Winery 30+ years ago, when she volunteered to work a grape harvest.
The determination stuck. Penelope went on to become the lead sparkling winemaker at Judy Jordan's J Vineyards & Winery, and later, Director of Winemaking for Rack & Riddle – the California sparkling facility that produces some of the most famous bubbly in America.
If it's famous, Californian and sparkling, chances are – Penny's the talent behind it.
“I’ve never done what’s expected of me,” said Penelope. “I’ve just done what I love.”
And now with the support of Angels and help from her team at Breathless – a female-led, 90-point Healdsburg winery – Penelope is going off script to make exclusive sparkling of her very own. “This is really the first time I can make my own wines with my own style – not one that was already determined by a winery,” Penelope said. "It may be a bit hokey, but I believe wines have a soul that comes from the winemaker and that 'soul' shows in every bottle.”
By funding her upcoming Sonoma and North Coast wine projects, you're helping her share that soul with the world.
"Breathless by Penelope" – a collection of Angel-exclusive sparkling wines – is dedicated to the women who shaped her. "They followed their own muses even when it took them down paths normally reserved for men," Penelope said.
Lead the way, Penelope.
Penelope's Archangels
I learned to love wine in 2003, from my wine-loving in-laws in Germany. My favorite wine ever is Grauburgunder from my homeland. I mostly drink dry "interesting" whites and bold reds. I love indigenous grapes from less-common wine regions. I love visiting wineries in my wine-producing state. I also love champagne and cava and don't just think they're for special occasions or brunch.
I am a RETIRED computer geek that worked for a large consumer products company. I have always liked wine to a certain extent since I was old enough to drink it (or my parents would let me try it). However, I was seriously bit by the wine bug a number of years ago and began trying everything! I'm more partial to reds and sparklers than whites (especially sweet wines - color me dry), but love trying them all! Bas vers le haut!
