Our Winemaker

Bob Mueller has always had an interest in chemistry and biology. He received his bachelors degree in biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz. After graduation he was hired by Paul Masson Champagne Cellars in Saratoga as a chemist and he soon realized that he wanted to pursue a career in the wine business.  He returned to UC Davis, where he earned his masters degree in Food Science/Enology.

Following his graduation, Bob was hired as winemaker by two renowned wineries, Foppiano Winery in Healdsburg and Charles Krug Winery in Napa. After two years, his reputation as a serious and well-trained winemaker landed him the position of senior winemaker at Pirelli-Minetti Winery in Delano, California.  Here Bob directed three winemakers in the crushing of more than 85,000 tons and the production of over 25 million gallons of table wine, brandy, concentrate and sparkling wine annually.

Bob enjoyed his four years in Delano, although he missed Sonoma County, where he had been a part of the growing wine business.  Bob was ready to move back to Sonoma County, and in 1981 he accepted the position of Director of Winemaking for Souverain Winery in Geyserville.  His exceptional knowledge of chemistry and hands-on winemaking led to Chateau Souverain receiving hundreds of awards for their wines. In his capacity as winemaker, his duties included the management of the custom crush facility at Souverain.

After three years Bob left Souverain to establish his own wine consulting business.  He was hired by Vinwood Cellars, Geyserville, to design and establish what quickly became one of the largest custom crush facilities in Napa and Sonoma Counties, strictly devoted to custom crush.

In 1991, after more than 20 years of making wine and consulting for other wineries, Robert Mueller Cellars was established in Healdsburg. The first production under the Mueller brand was a 1991 Mueller Chardonnay, “LB”,  from the Russian River Valley (315 cases) , very limited but extremely well received.  Bob made his Pinot Noir debut with the 1994 Mueller Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, “Emily’s Cuvée”.  With a production of only 266 cases it was sold out immediately and left his customers waiting impatiently for the release of his next vintage.  Ten years later, Mueller Winery was built on Starr Road in Windsor, California, and the production has gradually increased to approximately 4,000 cases with plans to reach a maximum of 5,000 cases.

The winery is run by Bob and his wife Lori.  Bob performs all of the cellar and production duties, with the exception of part-time help for crushing and bottling.  Lori oversees the sales, accounting and compliance work for the winery.  Mueller wines are available in their Cellar Tasting Room at the winery and throughout California and ten additional states.