• Type: Person
• Born: Unknown (Newcastle, England)
• Died: N/A (active)
• Primary role: Winemaker, Winery Owner
• Region: Santa Cruz Mountains
• Active years: 1990s-present
• Associated wineries: David Bruce Winery (1990s-2001), Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards (2003-present), Silver Mountain Vineyards (2018-present), Sonnet Wine Cellars (2001-present, owner), Tondré Wines
• Associated vineyards: Muns Vineyard, Silver Mountain estate, Savannah-Chanelle estate, Tondré Grapefield, Miller Hill, multiple sources across California
• Historical significance: Pioneered multi-winery winemaker model in Santa Cruz Mountains; Sonnet produces "some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California"; specialist in vineyard-designated Pinot Noir

Tony Craig (also known as Anthony Craig) is a former Shakespearean actor from Newcastle, England who became one of Santa Cruz Mountains' most prolific winemakers. He simultaneously makes wine for multiple labels: employee winemaker at Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards (2003-present) and Silver Mountain Vineyards (2018-present), while maintaining his own acclaimed Sonnet Wine Cellars label (2001-present) and producing Tondré Wines. His Sonnet Pinot Noirs have become some of the most sought-after in California, demonstrating his mastery of vineyard-designated wines across multiple premium appellations.

Tony Craig was born in Newcastle, England and trained as a Shakespearean actor before entering the wine industry. The name "Sonnet" for his wine label reflects his theatrical background.

Little is documented about his early life or when he emigrated to California. His entry into winemaking came through California's wine industry rather than formal enological training.

David Bruce Winery (1990s-2001): Craig's professional winemaking career began at David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he worked for approximately 12 years.

At David Bruce, Craig:

• Led the Pinot Noir vineyard designation program
• Developed expertise in site-specific Pinot Noir
• Built relationships with premium vineyard sources
• Learned mountain viticulture from one of the revival-era pioneers

This experience established Craig's specialty in vineyard-designated Pinot Noir that would define his later career.

Sonnet Wine Cellars (2001-present): While still at David Bruce, Craig founded Sonnet Wine Cellars in 2001 as his personal label.

Sonnet philosophy:

• Vineyard-designated Pinot Noir exclusively
• "Wines that capture and express the character of Pinot Noir at its most sublime"
• Sourcing from premier California appellations
• Small production, quality-obsessed approach

The label has become "some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California" according to industry sources.

Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards (2003-present): In 2003, Craig joined Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards as employee winemaker.

The property (formerly Congress Springs, originally Ville de Monmartre) includes:

• Pre-Prohibition head-pruned Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc vines
• Historic estate on Congress Springs Road, Saratoga
• Owners Michael and Kellie Ballard

Craig makes estate wines including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Carignane, and Chardonnay.

Muns Vineyard (2005-present): Craig became winemaker for Muns Vineyard wines starting in 2005, producing small quantities (200 cases) from one of California's highest Pinot Noir sites at 2,600 feet elevation.

The Muns Vineyard relationship is crucial to Craig's network—the vineyard sells fruit to both Silver Mountain and his own Sonnet label.

Silver Mountain Vineyards (2018-present): In 2018, Craig took over winemaking duties at Silver Mountain Vineyards from founder Jerold O'Brien on the winery's 40th harvest.

Silver Mountain (founded 1979):

• 18-acre estate at 2,100 feet elevation
• Certified organic since 1980
• O'Brien continues to manage business and educate customers

Craig makes:

• Estate wines (Mount Eden clone Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot)
• Vineyard-designated wines from multiple sources
• Custom crush for his Sonnet and Tondré labels

Tondré Wines: Craig produces Tondré Wines, made at Silver Mountain facilities, focusing on fruit from Tondré Grapefield in Santa Lucia Highlands.

Craig operates a unique multi-winery model rare in California:

Simultaneous positions:

1. Savannah-Chanelle - Employee winemaker (21+ years)
2. Silver Mountain - Employee winemaker (6+ years)
3. Sonnet - Owner/winemaker (23+ years)
4. Tondré - Winemaker (custom crush)

Why this works:

• Facility sharing: Sonnet and Tondré made at Silver Mountain
• Non-competing focuses: Different wine styles for each label
• Shared fruit sources: Muns Vineyard supplies multiple labels
• Owner cooperation: O'Brien allows custom crush; Ballards support dual role

• Unknown — Born in Newcastle, England
• Early career — Shakespearean actor in England
• Unknown — Emigrated to California
• 1990s-2001 — Winemaker at David Bruce Winery (~12 years)
• 1990s — Led Pinot Noir vineyard designation program at David Bruce
• 2001 — Founded Sonnet Wine Cellars
• 2003 — Joined Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards as winemaker
• 2005 — Became winemaker for Muns Vineyard wines
• 2018 — Took over winemaking at Silver Mountain Vineyards (40th harvest)
• Present — Continues all four winemaking positions

• David Bruce (likely) — Craig worked at David Bruce Winery for 12 years; Bruce's Pinot Noir focus influenced Craig's career direction
• Jerold O'Brien — Silver Mountain founder; transitioned winemaking to Craig; allows custom crush operations

• Jerold O'Brien — Silver Mountain owner; business partner in custom crush arrangement
• Michael and Kellie Ballard — Savannah-Chanelle owners; employ Craig as winemaker
• Ed Muns, Mary Lindsay — Muns Vineyard owners; provide fruit to multiple Craig labels

Wineries:

• David Bruce Winery — Early career (1990s-2001); Pinot Noir program
• Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards — Employee winemaker (2003-present)
• Silver Mountain Vineyards — Employee winemaker (2018-present)
• Sonnet Wine Cellars — Owner/winemaker (2001-present)
• Tondré Wines — Winemaker
• Congress Springs — Predecessor to Savannah-Chanelle

Vineyards:

• Muns Vineyard — Source for Sonnet, Silver Mountain; makes Muns wines (2005-present)
• Silver Mountain estate — 18 acres, 2,100 feet, organic since 1980
• Savannah-Chanelle estate — Pre-Prohibition vines, Congress Springs Road
• Tondré Grapefield — Santa Lucia Highlands (Sonnet, Tondré Wines)
• Miller Hill Vineyard — Pinot Noir source (Silver Mountain)
• Weideman Ranch — Cabernet source (Silver Mountain)
• Kruse Vineyard — York Mountain Pinot (Sonnet)
• Amber Ridge Vineyard — Russian River Pinot (Sonnet)

Craig's winemaking approach emphasizes:

• Vineyard-designated wines — Expressing site character
• Pinot Noir specialization — Primary focus across all labels
• Small production — Quality over quantity
• Minimal intervention — Letting sites speak

Sonnet Wine Cellars:

• Pinot Noir, Muns Vineyard (Santa Cruz Mountains) — "Most austere with greatest aging potential"
• Pinot Noir, Kruse Vineyard (York Mountain)
• Pinot Noir, Amber Ridge (Russian River Valley)
• Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield (Santa Lucia Highlands)

All Sonnet wines described as "some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California".

Silver Mountain:

• Mount Eden clone Chardonnay (estate)
• Pinot Noir (estate and vineyard designates)
• Bordeaux blends (Oscar's Wild, Alloy)
• Organic certification since 1980

Savannah-Chanelle:

• Estate Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Franc (pre-Prohibition vines)
• Zinfandel (pre-Prohibition vines)
• Carignane
• Chardonnay

• Multi-winery model — Demonstrated viability of single winemaker across multiple labels
• Custom crush networking — Facility sharing at Silver Mountain
• Cross-regional sourcing — Accessing premier sites across 5+ appellations
• Organic viticulture support — Continued Silver Mountain's organic certification (since 1980)

Primary: Pinot Noir (specialist across all labels)

Secondary: Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carignane

Craig pioneered a modern winemaking business model in Santa Cruz Mountains:

• Simultaneously employed by two wineries (Savannah-Chanelle, Silver Mountain)
• Maintains own premium label (Sonnet)
• Produces additional custom crush wines (Tondré)
• Demonstrates how talented winemakers can maximize income and creative freedom

This model addresses small winery economics by:

• Allowing small wineries to afford top talent (shared across operations)
• Enabling winemaker to maintain own vision (Sonnet) while earning stable income
• Efficient use of facilities (custom crush at Silver Mountain)

Sonnet's status as "some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California" demonstrates:

• Santa Cruz Mountains can produce Pinot Noir rivaling Russian River, Santa Lucia Highlands
• Vineyard-designated model succeeds at highest quality level
• Small production + meticulous sourcing = cult status

Craig's work at Savannah-Chanelle preserves:

• Pre-Prohibition vines still producing (Ville de Monmartre lineage)
• Congress Springs legacy (Daniel Gehrs 1976-1990)
• Historic Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc genetics

At Silver Mountain:

• Continued organic certification from 1980 (pioneer status)
• Transition from founder O'Brien to next generation

Craig sources from 5+ appellations:

• Santa Cruz Mountains (Muns, estates)
• Santa Lucia Highlands (Tondré)
• Russian River Valley (Amber Ridge)
• York Mountain (Kruse)
• Santa Clara Valley (Weideman Ranch)

This demonstrates winemaker vision transcending single terroir.

• Birth year
• When emigrated to California
• How entered wine industry (formal training?)
• Specific years at David Bruce (approximately 1990s-2001, need confirmation)
• Details of theatrical career in England
• Family background
• How connected with Jerold O'Brien and Silver Mountain
• Production volumes for Sonnet
• Financial arrangement for custom crush at Silver Mountain
• Whether plans to continue all four positions indefinitely

• Conversations with Tony Craig (potential)
• Interviews with Jerold O'Brien, Michael Ballard (potential)

• Edible Monterey Bay: "43 Years at Silver Mountain"
• Wine industry publications

• Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards - Winemaker
• Silver Mountain Vineyards
• Sonnet Wine Cellars - Wine-Searcher
• Sonnet Wine Cellars - Appellation America
• Muns Vineyard website

• Winemaker at Savannah-Chanelle (2003-present)
• Winemaker at Silver Mountain (2018-present)
• Founded Sonnet (2001)
• Worked at David Bruce Winery (~12 years)
• Former Shakespearean actor
• From Newcastle, England
• Makes Tondré Wines
• Sonnet's "most sought-after" status

• Exact years at David Bruce (1990s-2001 approximate)
• How entered wine industry
• When emigrated to California

• Birth year
• Formal wine education (if any)
• Complete theatrical career details
• Personal life details

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See Also:

• Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards
• Silver Mountain Vineyards
• Sonnet Wine Cellars
• Muns Vineyard
• David Bruce Winery
• Congress Springs
• Jerold O'Brien
• Tony Craig Winemaking Network — Full network analysis
• Multi-Winery Winemakers — Topic page