“Knob Hall” Farm has been in the Seibert family for generations.  Richard Seibert is the Managing Partner of Knob Hall Winery.   Dick and his family formerly lived in Annapolis, MD and he was one of the first investors in the Wild Goose Brewery.

John Levenberg: Winemaking Consultant

John Levenberg will serve as the Winemaker and Viticulture consultant who will help us get up and running.  John specializes in the productions of “Ultrapremium” wines. 

John Levenberg has served as Winemaker at Bedell Cellars in North Fork, Long Island, where he designed and oversaw creation of a new ultra-premium facility and established new procedures designed to establish Bedell as the premium Merlot producer on the East Coast.   He also was assisted in the construction project and vineyard budgets.  In addition to Merlot, he produced at Bedell Cellars Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Syrah, and Petite Verdot.

Before working at Bedell Cellars, John worked at Paul Hobbs in Napa, California, where he served as Associate Winemaker. 23 of 25 wines produced while at Paul Hobbs were rated at 90+ points by Spectator and Parker.  He also built the facility at Hobbs, establishing all production procedures.

Prior to that, John served at Chateau Quinault, St. Emilion, France, as Assistant Winemaker.  At Chateau Quinault, he produced the Ultrapremium product “Absolute Quinault” with Alain Raynaud that was considered by the Wine Spectator to be one of the best of the vintage (reviewed under brand name Oriel).  While there, he collaborated with Bordeaux consultants Michel Rolland and Denis Dubourdieu.

Prior to his work in France, John worked at the Cuvaison Winery, in Calistoga, California, Clos LaChance Winery, in Saratoga, Te Whare Ra, in Marlborough, New Zealand, Codorniu/Artesa and Trefethen Vineyards, both in Napa.

John completed his MS coursework from the University of California at Davis in Viticulture & Enology and a received a BS from the University of California at Davis in Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior.

The purpose of the Advisory Board is to give the winery advice on all aspects of its operations and future.  Advisory Board members include:

• Kevin Atticks, Ph.D., Executive Director, Maryland Wineries Association
• Joseph Fiola, Ph.D., Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, University of Maryland
• Fred Frederick, Principal, Frederick, Seibert & Associates
• Gary Glocker, The Glocker Group
• Suzanne Glocker, The Glocker Group
• Don Hill, Assistant Head of School, The Mercersburg Academy, Retired
• Jim Lutz, Director of Sales, Flying Dog Brewery; Former President, Wild Goose Brewery
• Tom Riford, President and CEO, Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau