Amy Aiken

Amy Aiken
Born	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, winemaker
Years active	1989–present
Known for	Proprietor of Meander and Conspire wine brands
Spouse	Joel Aiken

Amy Aiken is a U.S.-based entrepreneur and winemaker with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. She is the proprietor of the wine brands Meander and Conspire.

Personal life and education

Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aiken began her professional journey working at a plant nursery. Although she initially pursued engineering studies, she ultimately obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Subsequently, she relocated to California to undertake graduate education in Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis, where she completed her degree in 1989. Amy is married to fellow winemaker Joel Aiken; together they have two sons and live in St. Helena, California.

Career

Following her completion of a Master's degree, Aiken’s entry into the wine sector began with Joseph Phelps Vineyards during the crush season, where she was involved in laboratory work focused on producing Cabernet Sauvignon. She played a role in crafting wines including Backus, Eisele, and Insignia. Her background also encompasses experience in producing sparkling wine at Domaine Chandon California, as well as working with both Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Additional positions include collaborations with Viader Vineyards, Oakville Ranch, and Anomaly Vineyards.

Meander and Conspire Wines

In 2000, Aiken established her own label, Meander Wines, a name inspired by her sons Mitchell and Andrew. The brand centers on fruit sourced from Napa Valley, with an emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. After three years of searching for suitable grapes, she acquired Cabernet Sauvignon from grower Gary Morisoli in 2003 at $8,200 per ton. These grapes originating from the Rutherford AVA were blended with fruit from Lewelling vineyard located in St. Helena. Meander wines are crafted at multiple Napa Valley sites and undergo an 18-month aging process in French Oak barrels, with 65% being new wood. The first vintage released was the 2003 Meander Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aiken also produces Conspire, a label highlighting varietals other than Cabernet. The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Conspire combines a Musqué clone from Rutherford with grapes from Whitehall Lane and is aged for five months in stainless steel tanks before undergoing cold stabilization. The 2008 Pinot noir is sourced from Du-Nah vineyard in Sebastopol; it is fermented using wild yeast and aged for sixteen months in French Oak barrels, 33% of which are new.

Amy and her spouse Joel jointly own Palisades Wine Company based in Calistoga, where they produce their wines.

External links

• Official website for Meander Wines
• Amy Aiken Profile from A Woman's Palate