Ray's Station

Winemaker (Adventurer) Gavin Taylor

The original Ray's Station proprietor, retired sea captain John G. Ray, often wrestled mountain lions, rattlers and bears as he scraped to make a living hosting travelers in the mid-1800s on his remote Sonoma County mountain. He was well-known for his story-telling skills and often recounted his near-death experiences to his guests.

Gavin's heard the stories about the predators that bedeviled Captain John G. Ray and has encountered a few mountain lions, which still prowl our vineyards around the Mayacamas Mountains, himself. The Ray's Station winemaker is thoroughly unimpressed.

"California mountain lions?" he said. "They're scared of me, not the other way around. As a boy I would catch scorpions, to keep them as pets. My parents took bets on whether I'd make it past the age of ten."

South African Gavin Taylor spent his early childhood years growing up in the Wellington, South Africa wine region. Once Gavin received his degree in Viticulture and Enology from Stellenbosch University in South Africa he went to work for Vinpro as a viticultural consultant which he credits for his practical, hands-on approach to viticulture. "I'm grateful for my experience in viticulture," Gavin said. "It's definitely influenced how I make wine."

Once well-founded in the basics, his sense of adventure soon took hold. In 1999, he left his homeland for a chance to see the world. He worked harvests in California, New Zealand and Chile before an opportunity to be a cellar intern and later a Viticultural Enologist for the Kendall-Jackson Winery in California brought him here on a more permanent basis. In September of 2006, Gavin Taylor left Kendall-Jackson for the winemaker position at Ray's Station Winery in Alexander Valley.