The Winemaker
Heidi von der MehdenHeidi von der Mehden was born in San Francisco, and grew up in Santa Rosa, CA. She received a Chemistry degree from Santa Clara University in 1997, and went on to teach high school Chemistry in Tanzania, East Africa, while serving in the Peace Corps. Upon returning to Sonoma County, she decided to put her chemistry background to work in the wine industry.
She began as a lab tech for Kenwood Vineyards during the harvest of 2000. Continuing her employment at Kenwood, she completed four harvests, working her way up to enologist. During this time she also took a sabbatical to work the 2002 vintage at Babich Winery in New Zealand. In 2004, Heidi joined the team at Mauritson Winery as Assistant Winemaker. She stayed there for three harvests making wine and overseeing many of the day to day activities of the winery. Heidi joined Arrowood Winery in 2007 as Associate Winemaker, continuing her education under Winemaster Richard Arrowood and taking over in 2010.
