RouteStock Cellars
Biographies
Wayne Donaldson, Winemaker
Carneros Chardonnay and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Wayne Donaldson has been a leader in the international wine industry for 26 years. His career began in his homeland of Australia where he earned a degree in enology from Roseworthy Agricultural College and subsequently became assistant winemaker at Brokenwood Wines in Hunter Valley. In 1988, while studying for his Graduate Diploma in Management from Deakin University in Victoria, he was chosen as one of the founding members of the winemaking team for Domaine Chandon, Australia. Over the next eleven years, he rose to chief winemaker and operations manager, creating both a sparkling and still wine portfolio which garnered numerous domestic and international awards.
In 2000, Donaldson was promoted to vice president of winemaking and vineyards for Domaine Chandon, Napa Valley, California. In this new position he would direct all of the company’s sparkling and still wine programs and successfully elevate the quality and prestige of the brand. He also led the development and launch of the winery’s first varietal still wine program, designed several new sparkling wine styles, planted new vineyards, and re-configured the winery and winemaking program for higher quality. In 2003, Donaldson joined the board of directors for Newton Vineyards, advising on the strategic development of Newton’s Spring Mountain vineyard and winery facility.
After five years at Domaine Chandon, Donaldson was enticed to become director of North Coast winemaking for E&J Gallo Winery. Responsible for all Bordeaux varietal brands, Pinot Noir brands, William Hill Winery and the Louis Martini brand, he oversaw all elements of the business, including wine style development, wine quality and grape supply. By 2008 he was promoted to senior director of coastal winemaking, responsible for all varietals across Gallo’s premium portfolio, as well as the winemaking facilities in Napa County, Sonoma County and Santa Barbara County.
Leveraging his extensive career and experience in many of the world’s finest wine growing regions – including Champagne, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and California – Donaldson now works as a consultant and is responsible for the RouteStock Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay programs.
When he’s not making wine, Donaldson is an avid chef and mountain biker on the steep and rugged trails of the Napa Valley, where he now resides.
