Kathryn (Katy) Vogt started her journey to becoming a winemaker by earning a B.S. degree in Agribusiness with a minor in Viticulture and Enology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2009. While pursuing her degree, she picked up some management experience as a student manager of the Cal Poly Organic Farm. Katy also held a position as laboratory technician at Four Vines Winery in Paso Robles beginning in mid-2008.

In early 2009, she became the enologist and laboratory manager for Cypher Winery, also in Paso Robles. She was promoted to assistant winemaker there in early 2012. She says of her memories of her experiences there, “In Paso, working with Rhône varieties, blending is their essence and core. I was very lucky to be part of that very early on in my career. I get a lot of joy out of blending, of tasting a lineup of wines and envisioning what it would look like putting them together.”

After two years at Cypher, Katy joined the E. & J. Gallo portfolio of wineries, starting as an assistant winemaker for its Central Coast units at Edna Valley Vineyard and Bridlewood Estate Winery. There was little room for error or second-guessing with large portfolios and significant investments at stake at these two facilities. She quickly learned to trust her talent, instincts, and technique in order to address the challenges there. In turn, she quickly gained the esteem of her winemaking peers.

In mid-2015, Katy moved to the Napa Valley as assistant winemaker for the Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena and was promoted to associate winemaker there in March 2019. She was named winemaker for Pahlmeyer in St. Helena nine months later. She remarks that, “In Napa, you’re focusing on the long term. To succeed, you learn the nuances and appreciate the personalities of the sites. We commit to a clear vision, then we are relentless in bringing that to life.”