Winemaker
Chrissy Wittmann
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- St. Helena, California, United States
i. Biography
Chrissy Wittmann is Vice President, Luxury Winemaking at The Prisoner Wine Company in St. Helena. The work centers on blend-making rather than formula: testing combinations, weighing each component against the whole, and building toward balance. As Wittmann puts it, “I don’t put limitations on my winemaking style and look at all combinations to make the best blend that either showcases the variety or blend as a whole.” That approach puts composition first, with each decision made to serve structure, texture, and the final shape of the wine.
The Path
The progression through California wine country shows a career built by taking on more responsibility at each stop. At Courtside Cellars, Chrissy Wittmann worked as winemaker and Laboratory Manager, holding both cellar and lab duties at once. She then served as Assistant Winemaker at Scheid Vineyards from 2005–2007, a period that added another layer of technical discipline. At Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards in Paso Robles, she moved from winemaker (2007–2013) into General Manager and director of winemaking (2013–2016), expanding from production into broader oversight. Since 2016, Wittmann has held the role of director of winemaking at The Prisoner Wine Company, carrying that accumulated experience into a position centered on final blend decisions.
The Work Today
At The Prisoner Wine Company in St. Helena, Chrissy Wittmann’s priorities are stated without ornament: “Our goal overall is balance,” she says. In practice, that means keeping structure, texture, ripeness, and freshness in view at the same time. The role of Vice President, Luxury Winemaking sits at the point where those elements have to be reconciled, and Wittmann’s work is to keep the wine coherent as it moves from component selection to finished blend.
Signature
Wittmann's signature wines include The Prisoner Red Blend, Saldo, The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Prisoner Chardonnay. Read together, they point to a winemaking style that works across formats while keeping the same underlying aim in view: wines that hold together as complete blends.
In Their Words “I don’t put limitations on my winemaking style and look at all combinations to make the best blend that either showcases the variety or blend as a whole.” “”
Acclaim
Wittmann describes her approach as open and progressive: “I am pretty open minded and progressive.” That outlook tracks with the experience gathered at Courtside Cellars, Scheid Vineyards (2005–2007), Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards (2007–2013; 2013–2016), and The Prisoner Wine Company (since 2016), where adaptability and judgment have remained central to the work of balancing a wine.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Chrissy
What is Chrissy Wittmann's current role?
As of 2026, Chrissy Wittmann is Vice President, Luxury Winemaking.
Where did Chrissy Wittmann work before?
Chrissy Wittmann's earlier career included Courtside Cellars, Scheid Vineyards, and Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards.
Where did Chrissy Wittmann train?
Chrissy Wittmann trained at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
