our story
New Beginnings — Kevin & Nichole
Nichole grew up on a ten-acre peach farm in the Central Valley of California, and attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where she earned a degree in biochemistry. Nichole had always been interested in the interface of science and agriculture, and became captivated by the diversity and deliciousness of the wine industry that surrounded her on the Central Coast. The wine bug had bitten Nichole and she soon found herself working her first vintage at E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Born and raised in the Champlain Valley of Vermont, Kevin has always been enamored with his home state’s natural beauty and its culture’s profound connection with the land. He noticed similarities while on a family trip to Tuscany, and became intrigued by the idea of working with the Vermont terroir to produce wine. But it wasn’t until he spent semesters in Spain and Chile, while pursuing a degree in chemical engineering from Notre Dame, that the possibility of a career in winemaking came into focus. After graduation, Kevin eagerly moved out to California to work his first vintage at E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Nichole and Kevin met in their first week on the job and quickly became best friends. Over the next few years, they took in all they could from the endless pool of resources, knowledge, and expertise offered by the largest winery in the world, and their winemaking skill and passion grew. So, too, did their relationship. The new couple got a dog, Sophie, and started a garage label called Ghost House Wines in the cellar of a creepy old house on the vineyard.
It was around this time that Kevin’s obsession with making wine in Vermont became contagious, and Nichole found herself as enthusiastic as he was. But there was more to see first, so they set off to get their hands and boots in the dirt, and learn from the masters. After a couple years working in the vineyard and the winery for producers such as Hardys Tintara in Australia, Martinborough Vineyard in New Zealand, and Weingut Bründlmayer in Austria, Nichole and Kevin were ready to settle down and develop a winemaking identity of their own.
This next chapter took Nichole and Kevin to the Outer Coastal Plain AVA of New Jersey, where they lead the winemaking teams at Sharrott and William Heritage, respectively. During this time, they learned invaluable lessons about farming grapes on the east coast, pushed the envelope of wine quality and style in an emerging region, and rejoiced in the experience of raising their daughter, Rosie.
Throughout their journey, Nichole and Kevin always kept an eye out for an opportunity to come home to Vermont’s unique and supportive winegrowing community. They’re thrilled to take the helm at Lincoln Peak Vineyard and to follow in the footsteps of the Granstrom family and the team at Shelburne Vineyard.
Our Roots — The Granstrom Family
“For us, it all started back in 2001 with a shoebox full of grapevine cuttings from a fellow in Minnesota. I planted the cuttings; they grew, and then thrived. Within a few years, grapes took over our strawberry fields, and a new chapter in the life of this farm — and family — had begun.
In 2006 we made our first batch of commercial wine. Over more than a decade, we grew to make about 25,000 bottles of wine a year– all strictly from grapes grown on our farm. Our wines won a loyal following from Vermont to California, and won four best-in-show awards along with several gold and double-gold medals at International Cold-Climate Wine Competition.
Some folks may have thought we were crazy to start an enterprise like this, but with some good land, careful farming techniques, a great farm crew, and support from our neighbors, it’s all working out. We like to think that we’re helping to turn a new page in Vermont’s long and varied agricultural history.” — Chris Granstrom, Founder and Previous Owner
