Merlot – Diamond Dust Vineyard Alexander Valley – 2023

Trig Point

“A “trig” has been used for many years to establish boundary lines. Trigonometrical stations were set on the top of hills and used as surveying sites. Just as my father was a land surveyor and used these trigs as a reference, so do I when it comes to well-known vineyard sites” Nick Goldschmidt, Winemaker.

Trig Point is produced by Nick Goldschmidt and his wife Yolyn. After flying the globe for many years as the head-winemaker for the likes of Simi, Allied Domecq, and Beam Estates, Nick decided to start a family company with his wife Yolyn in 1998. The goal of the company was to focus on site specific wine making from great vineyard sites from around the world. Having produced so many world class wines from around the globe, Nick knew exactly from which vineyard sites he would choose to make his wines.

The wines Nick and Yolyn Goldschmidt produce are all single vineyard, handcrafted, small production, artisan wines.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Nick found his way to viticulture after completing his Bachelor of Science in Canterbury at Lincoln University where he pursued a Diploma in Horticulture.

After a year of working in organics, plant breeding and working in the vineyards, Nick went on to study viticulture at Charles Sturt University in Australia. After completing three vintages back in New Zealand, he returned to South Australia to complete his post graduate degree in Winemaking at Roesworthy.

In 1989 he completed his first vintage in California at Carneros Creek making Pinot Noir and then headed to Chile as the winemaker for Caliterra. In 1990 he became the VP/Winemaker for Simi Winery in California. At the time, Simi Winery was owned by LVMH where Nick was also asked to help out with Cloudy Bay in New Zealand, Terrazas in Argentina and Ruffino in Italy – thus beginning his time as a ‘flying winemaker.’ Along the way, he developed his own brands: Forefathers and Goldschmidt Vineyard.  Simi was eventually purchased by Constellation in 1999 and in 2003 Nick became Senior VP/Winemaker for Allied-Domecq, where he managed winemaking for the California brands Clos du Bois, Atlas Peak, William Hill, Buena Vista and Gary Farrell among others. Allied-Domecq was sold to Jim Beam in 2006 and Nick added Geyser Peak and Wild Horse to the brands he was overseeing.

In 2008 Nick went out on his own full time, making single vineyard wines and continuing to consult for 16 wineries in 6 countries. He continues his fascination with new technology and biodynamics.