Winemaker Kristina Shideler's wholehearted commitment to mountain winemaking manifests the Stonestreet philosophy. "Everything that makes up the mountain's terroir creates such high-character wines that really embody the estate," she says. "High-elevation Cabernet in particular relies on our ability to project what a wine will taste like after two years in barrel, five years in bottle—and we want it to unfold for decades."
Kristina was born in San Diego but raised in Missouri, the first recognized AVA (American Viticultural Area) in the U.S. As a youth, she was fortunate to tag along when her mother led college students on study-abroad trips throughout Europe. Kristina was fascinated by the mealtime ritual of wine and food as a joint reflection of the people and the land.
She double majored in Biochemistry and Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, picking up invaluable advice while interning with a local winemaker. "The best wisdom I've received is to taste everything you can get your hands on. Never stop learning and never get bored." After working a harvest in New Zealand, Kristina earned a master's in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis. She then cut her teeth on high-elevation vineyards at Niepoort Vinhos Winery in Douro Valley, Portugal and Bodega Catena Winery in Mendoza, Argentina. After returning to the United States, she was fortunate to join the team at the renowned Vérité Estate in Sonoma County, and later became winemaker at Arrowood Winery in Glen Ellen, Calif.
Kristina began her journey at Stonestreet as a viticultural enologist in 2012, was promoted to assistant winemaker in 2014, and named head winemaker in 2022.
When she's not crafting wine, she enjoys spending time with her three children, running, gardening, and hosting wine dinners.
The best wisdom I've received is to taste everything you can get your hands on. Never stop learning and never get bored.
