Rack & Riddle Welcomes New Sparkling Winemaker

From Rack & Riddle: Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, one of the nation's largest winemaking operations specializing in sparkling wine and still wines, has brought on board a winemaking consultant in response to its fast-paced growth and recent facilities expansion.

Rack & Riddle has partnered with Jerome Barret, a consultant with over 20 years' experience in methode Champenoise, the French style of sparkling winemaking Rack & Riddle is known for in the industry and with consumers. Barret will work alongside Rack & Riddle's Director of Winemaking Penelope Gadd-Coster, who leads an in-house team of winemaking and operations staff members.

Barret, who hails from France and speaks three languages, "brings a world-wide perspective in the sparkling wine business with his expertise in global wines," said Rack & Riddle's Gadd-Coster.

"We've sought out Jerome's expertise to assist our already amazing sparkling wine team to grow into the future and continue our leadership in the industry as a truly one-of-a-kind custom sparkling house."

Barret's experience ranges from cellar master to winemaker, and expert lecturer with the Institut Oenologique de Champagne, and has handled wine exports on four continents as well as large equipment investment budgets and line production design. He holds winemaking degrees from Reims University and Lycee Viticole d'Avize.

Founded in 2007, Rack & Riddle is a family-owned operation that has seen steady growth, expanding to two new locations in 2014 and more than doubling its case production in the past decade.

"Bringing on new talent like Jerome ensures we stay abreast of the latest technological advances in winemaking," said Gadd-Coster. "Jerome's unique blend of new world and old-world expertise aligns with our foundational techniques that have resulted in high-caliber wines for our clientele and the Rack & Riddle family of brands."

Rack & Riddle offers services--from "grape to glass" or a la carte--to both large and small producers nationwide. Clients can make wines from grapes or base wine, or choose from a selection of private label sparkling wines.

Photo Courtesy of Rack & Riddle