Our Mission

We believe that to ricochet is to rebound—sometimes unpredictably, but always with purpose.

Life is full of these metaphorical ricochets, and so is the mission of Ricochet Wine. One of my favorite quotes, one I live by, is “No person steps into the same river twice, for they are not the same person, and it’s not the same river.” The water we stepped into moments ago is not the same water. And, we are not the same because time has also gone downriver. I find great optimism in this. I have made mistakes. They are now downriver. And I can be a better person. Those who make life-altering mistakes deserve a chance to dip their toes in new waters. Ricochet stands for a redemptive character, in a time when culture cancels outright anything or anyone that transgresses.  

Ricochet Wine Company was established with two clear goals:

CRAFT EXCEPTIONAL WINE

We aim to create remarkable, genuine, and sophisticated wines that remain accessible to a diverse range of people. Wine, after all, is about community and shared experiences.  While we are a Pinot Noir-focused house, we like to show off the varietals that flourish in our backyard. And, we approach winemaking with kid-gloves: No sulfur is used on incoming grapes; native-yeast fermentations are encouraged; no use of synthetic additives, enzymes, or animal proteins; and, with few exceptions, our wines are unfiltered. Interventions of any kind impact the soul of the wine, and we generally like to keep the inherent virtues of the grapes to shine. Erich likes to say:

“If we don’t have to do something, we don’t.”

GIVE BACK

We commit to donating 5% of our sales to local and regional non-profits dedicated to helping individuals recover from challenging situations. Because, at its heart, wine is about fostering a sense of belonging and support.  When asked why he gives back some of his profits, Erich replies:

“Because wine is not important.’  It’s a shocking response, but after my experiences working in public education, teaching in juvenile detention, and serving on community boards, I simply feel compelled to give back. Wine is a part of my local community. It’s the economic engine. Yet, I see my neighbors-in-need sleeping on our streets. I see seasonal vineyard workers struggle to make ends meet. I see formerly-incarcerated men and women on the fringes who just want a job–any job–but aren’t given the chance, because of their record. I see our national mental health crisis deeply penetrate into our schools with staggering ramifications. So, if I can contribute to local organizations that provide a bridge, a transition, from despair to hope, and if I can employ folks looking for a second (or third) chance, then suddenly wine IS important. It’s the very least I can do.”