Karen Birmingham’s path to becoming a winemaker started with her earning a B.S. in Microbiology at Washington State University in 1994. She followed this degree by completing an M.S. in Food Science in 1997, also at WSU, and then spent three years as a research microbiologist at the National Food Laboratory in D.C.

In 2000, Karen embarked on her winemaking career by accepting a position as winemaker at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and five years later moved to Constellation Brands as winemaker. She then joined LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards in Lodi as winemaker in mid-2008. One of her responsibilities there is to fashion the Downton Abbey Wine Countess of Grantham Collection, which includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, sourcing the fruit from sustainably farmed, estate-grown vineyards. Among the 23 other varietals produced at the winery are Cabernet Franc, Malbed, Petite Syrah, and Viognier.

Karen is known for her technical approach to winemaking, thereby creating wines with balanced acidity and varietal complexity. She now has brought her skills to her own eponymous label, under which she offers Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Reserve Zinfandel, and Pinot Grigio, among other varietals.