Jean Hoefliger is a man with a quixotic mission: He is inspired and driven by the quest for creative perfection while knowing full well that it can never be achieved. An artisan who has always been motivated to push the envelope, he relies on a commitment to constant scientific research matched by an open-minded, entrepreneurial creativity. His background in winemaking has included stints at Michel Schlumberger and Hartford Family in Sonoma, followed by moves to Bordeaux and South Africa, where he made wine at the esteemed estates of Chateau Carbonnieux and Meerlust, respectively. After earning degrees in enology and viticulture in Switzerland, Jean returned to Bordeaux to make wine at Chateau Lynch-Bages. Moving back to California, he spent five years as winemaker for Newton Vineyard from 2001 to 2005 and then in 2006 became part of the Alpha Omega team from its inception, where he was winemaker and general manager. Today, he has a global consulting business with clients in Tuscany, Texas, Switzerland, France, Sonoma County, and Napa Valley. I invite you to drink in this episode with the passionate Jean Hoefliger. Wines tasted in this episode: 2020 AXR Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2017 The Debate Artalade Montagna Vineyard, Napa Valley