Maureen Macdonald
Manchester,CT
Summary
Proficient winemaker with over 20 years in the wine industry, now over a decade of experience as head winemaker. Critical thinker, skilled writer, and experience with evaluation of wines for quality and condition.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Winemaker
Hawk Ridge Winery
04.2020 - Current
- Created a portfolio of over 30 award winning wines, including French-American hybrid and Vitus Vinifera varietals.
- Manage and train cellar team and supervise wine processing including, crushing, pressing, fermentation, filtering, and bottling
- Track and manage inventory; design and implement wine club
- Plan and execute large festival style events for up to 1000+ people. Source food trucks, vendors, entertainment, licensure.
- Plan and execute smaller educational and food and wine pairing events monthly
Technical Editor and Columnist
Winemaker Magazine
01.2018 - Current
- Winemaker Magazine’s first new columnist in over a decade. Now writes the “Varietal Focus” column in every edition.
- Prepared, rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact.
- Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
- Wrote quarterly research based articles on various in-depth topics on winemaking
Wine Judge
Various Wine Competitions
04.2015 - Current
- Winemaker Magazine Amateur Wine Competition, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024
- Amenti del Vino Professional Wine Competition, 2017-2019
- Pennsylvania State Professional Wine Competition, 2020, 2021, 2023
- Musto Wine Grape Amateur and Commercial Wine Competition 2016-2019
Consulting Winemaker
Musto Wine Grape
08.2017 - 03.2020
- Consulted to various New England wineries to assist in trouble shooting faulty or unappealing wines
- Created opening portfolios of wines for three wineries. Aided wineries in preparing products for bottling and opening to public.
- Ran the lab analysis division of the company including running multiple laboratory tests, maintaining laboratory equipment, communicating with amateur and commercial customers to consult on winemaking practices.
Head Winemaker
Cassidy Hill Vineyard
03.2013 - 07.2017
- Doubled wine portfolio while head winemaker
- Created numerous vintages of award winning wines.
- Designed and executed spray programs for vineyard.
- Maintained 11 acre vineyard
Education
Cider Making Intensive
Cornell Univeristy
Ithaca, NYWine Microbiology
Penn State
State College, PABachelor of Arts - Religious Studies
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT05.2004
Skills
Analytical Wine Tasting
Ability to Identify Wine Faults and Flaws
Wine Laboratory Skills
Accomplishments
- Winner of the Amenti del Vino Chevalier Award for contributions to the field of Wine Education.
- Featured author in “Winemakers Guide to Home Winemaking”, published 2024
- Featured Winemaker in “Drink New England” , written by Carlo DeVito, published 2023
Timeline
Head Winemaker
Hawk Ridge Winery
04.2020 - Current
Technical Editor and Columnist
Winemaker Magazine
01.2018 - Current
Consulting Winemaker
Musto Wine Grape
08.2017 - 03.2020
Wine Judge
Various Wine Competitions
04.2015 - Current
Head Winemaker
Cassidy Hill Vineyard
03.2013 - 07.2017
Cider Making Intensive
Cornell Univeristy
Wine Microbiology
Penn State
Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies
University of Vermont
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