The
Curators

Wren Hop Story
Wren Hop began in 2008 after James McDonough and his father created a single barrel, unreleased, Pinot Noir “experiment” from their Russian River Valley site. The result was a silky, deeply-layered, black cherry behemoth, studded with spice and fine-grained tannins. Many pulled corks later and in true start-up fashion, Wren Hop Vineyards was born. Passion mixed with a dose of fruit-forward adrenaline. Kaboom.

Limited
Production,
Clonal
Specific,
Pinot Noir &
Chardonnay.
That’s
the Story.

Structured wines showcasing muscle and grace with a touch of egomania.

No poem was ever written by a drinker of water.
— Horace
Quinn McDonough
Hospitality/Marketing Coordinator
Quinn is a natural born oenophile. Quite literally- she spent much of her youth riding in her dad's truck scouting vineyard sites. She also advises us on all things marketing and social media related. Quinn has completed her WSET Level 2 Certification and recently graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BS in Communications. Check out her alter ego as a food & beverage content creator called dine.assassin on Instagram & TikTok.
James McDonough
Founder
Jim worked as a creative director for some of the best ad firms on the planet. He has a deep understanding of quality and the vision that goes with it. Jim conducts all things Wren Hop and creates every tale, label and word behind the brand. He attended the UC Davis Winemaking program where biochemisty and vine physiology were squeezed into his head harder than a pneumatic press. His dreams are filled with sorting tables and extended macerations.
Dan Fishman
Winemaker
We could say Dan is our winemaker by way of Donum and New Zealand. But that would be as exciting as Central Valley Merlot. Instead, here's our keen observations. He’s Cornell University smart. And by default- just knows stuff. Like making critical decisions that will encourage huge flavor development during primary fermentation. Or handpicking the best barrels to showcase our wines at their most powerful. Behold, a true modern day alchemist.
Ryan Maier
Vineyard Manager
Ryan has a history of farming quality driven, high end vineyards in Sonoma. He trained alongside his father, Richard Maier and winemaker, Mike Hirby, learning all aspects of viticulture prior to forming his own firm. Ryan farms vineyards for Paul Hobbs, Martha McClellan and of course Jim and Dan here at Wren Hop. Not only is he our vineyard clairvoyant, he’s been known to tame the wildest glassy-winged sharpshooter this side of the Russian River.
Buster Scruggs
Tweety Bird Chaser
Buster was named after the wiry character in the Coen brother's movie, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Cheerful, clad in white and hyper-focused on chasing any bird that dare tip it's wings in his direction. Buster will greet you, then get back to work seeking out aerial objects. He has chased down turkeys, vultures, coyotes, gophers, lizards and the occasional dropped cheese cube. He is majoring in Ornithology and minoring in Animal Husbandry.

Accolades

  • Robert Parker Wine Advocate →
    94pts Wren Hop Cautionary Tale
    Wren Hop’s impressive Pinot Noirs are fashioned from multiple Dijon clones, primarily 115, 667 and 777. Aged 16 months in 100% new French oak, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cautionary Tale has a medium to deep ruby-purple color with a nose of cranberries, warm mulberries, earth and damp soil with a menthol kick. Full, rich and concentrated with firm, grainy tannins and great intensity, it finishes very long and mineral laced. 190 cases produced.
  • Jeb Dunnuck →
    96pts Wren Hop Night Children
    The Pinot Noir Night Children comes from the estate vineyard and was raised all in new French oak. This blockbuster beauty boasts killer notes of mulberries, black cherries, forest floor, and underbrush to go with a full-bodied, impeccably balanced, ripe, seamless style on the palate. This is a world-class California Pinot Noir that will keep for a decade or more.
  • Wine Spectator
    93pts Wren Hop Dark Carnival
    Moving to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir Dark Carnival offers a medium to full-bodied, balanced, incredibly charming style that carries classic cherry and strawberry fruits as well as notes of forest floor and spice. Coming from the Wren Hop vineyard in the Russian River, destemmed and brought up in new oak, it has a rich, opulent texture, good freshness, and a great finish. It’s a classic, powerful Russian River Pinot Noir to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years.
Visit
Join us for a seated tasting of five madly delicious wines at our estate vineyard in the Russian River Valley.
Reserve here