Laura Chadwell grew up in Galt, CA, a small town near Sacramento. She remained in the Central Valley for her higher education, earning a B.S in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis, in 2014. She furthered her education with an MBA from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in 2017 and, in 2020, the Brewing and Distilling Certificate from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

While still an undergraduate, Laura completed internships at Jessie’s Grove Winery in Lodi, first as cellar master and subsequently as assistant winemaker. She joined Constellation Brands in early 2018 for a four-year stint as winemaker responsible for new product development with its Woodbridge Winery in Acampo, CA, during which time she served as interim senior winemaker for Wild Horse Winery in Templeton, CA, for the 2020 harvest. Laura became the sparkling winemaker there in mid-2021 before becoming the chief winemaker for Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi in December of that year.

Laura is a self-described master of blending and inveterate learner and has a very “hands-on” approach to her winemaking. At Oak Ridge, she is crafting premium wines that are representative of the Lodi appellation. They include Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, among other varietals, and Rosé.