Celebrating Women of Wine: Heidi Bridenhagen at Dough Wines

"Conceptualizing Dough wines with the James Beard Foundation – the first-ever partnership of its kind – was such a fun, collaborative process," says Heidi. "It was a really interesting and unique opportunity to gain additional perspective on the wines from people with trained palates in different fields, and something I always try to think about with each vintage of Dough."

Heidi Bridenhagen is one of the talented female winemakers who make up just 10% of head winemakers in California. With a degree in biochemistry and an impressive portfolio of more than 300 scores of 90+ points in her career, Heidi Bridenhagen does a great job of walking the fine line between science and art as Head Winemaker for Dough Wines. With all the viticulture happening in exceptional regions, Heidi and Dough Wines are crafted in concert with a diverse group of James Beard Foundation leaders and chefs to blend the most food-friendly wines possible. It is this sense of community and food-friendliness that continually inspires Heidi to handcraft wines with a lasting impact. 

Following the completion of a B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder, Heidi spent six months traveling throughout the wine regions of France, Italy, Spain, Germany and more. Notably, she worked in the cellar at Oyster Bay in New Zealand and honed her skills alongside California's renowned winemakers Mick Schroeter and Cara Morrison at Sonoma-Cutrer. 

In 2011, Heidi joined Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners, a collective of wineries that includes Dough Wines. Years later in 2019, Heidi joined an esteemed panel of James Beard Foundation-honored chefs and sommeliers to craft the distinct blends of Dough Wines. 

Heidi's favorite varietal to work with is, "hands down," Chardonnay. She has realized over the years that "the fruit can become so many different versions of itself. It is a winemaker's playground of aromatic and textural experiences. It absorbs the terroir distinctly and responds to a winemaker's hand easily." In addition to her love of wine, she is also an IPA enthusiast and enjoys finding new breweries and beer gardens to explore. 

Heidi grew up in rural northeastern Wisconsin on a beautiful peninsula surrounded by Lake Michigan. Her community was focused around the arts as well as outdoor activities, which helped influence Heidi's passions today. You will rarely find her without music on in the background. When Heidi is not working, you can find her enjoying time with her wonderful partner, Jeremy, and their children, Isabella and Kellan. Heidi also loves pretty much any activity that brings her outside, such as running, bicycling, kayaking and sailing.