Winemaker

Trace Brueske

Discipline: Winemaker
Based in: Santa Ynez, California, United States
Venue: Koehler Winery · Winery

i. Biography

He is a Wisconsin-born winemaker whose résumé is built from formal study and repeated time in the vineyard and cellar. Trace Brueske’s profile is less about spectacle than about range: wine-and-viticulture training, then years of practical work before stepping into a broader estate role. That kind of foundation matters in wine, where the finished bottle still depends on the discipline behind it.

The Climb

Training at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo set Trace Brueske on a path through California wine country, where technical work and agricultural work were kept in close contact. He worked as winemaker at Goldeneye Winery in Anderson Valley (until 2022), wine and viticulture worker at Bien Nacido Estate in Santa Maria Valley (until 2022), and Assistant Winemaker at Stephen Ross Cellars in Edna Valley (until 2022). Each role added another piece of the same trade: vineyard judgment, cellar decision-making, and the day-to-day repetition that builds consistency. Today, Trace Brueske is winemaker and Vineyard Manager of Koehler Estate (since 2022), a role that puts vineyard and cellar responsibility in one place. That kind of remit demands attention to both the fruit in the field and the wine in production, with each choice carrying into the next stage. His background fits that structure: a single workflow, handled from both sides.

Today

At Koehler Estate (since 2022), Trace Brueske works across the full sequence of the wine’s development, from vineyard oversight to cellar execution. The job requires translating what the site gives into finished wine without losing the specifics of place along the way. In Santa Barbara County, that kind of coordination is part of the craft itself.

Career - Winemaker and Vineyard Manager — Koehler Estate (2022–present) - Winemaker — Goldeneye Winery, Anderson Valley (until 2022) - Wine and viticulture worker — Bien Nacido Estate, Santa Maria Valley (until 2022) - Assistant Winemaker — Stephen Ross Cellars, Edna Valley (until 2022) Education: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Signature

Trace Brueske's signature wines include 2024 Koehler ‘Santa Barbara County’ Pinot Noir, 2023 Koehler ‘Peake Ranch’ Pinot Noir, 2023 Koehler ‘Peake Ranch’ Grenache, 2023 Koehler ‘Ballard Abodes Vineyard’ Grenache, and 2023 Koehler ‘Santa Ynez Valley’ Sangiovese. Read together, they show a winemaker moving across varieties and sites with restraint, letting vineyard source and vintage stay visible in the glass.

In Their Words “I expect my drive to make ultra-premium wine and my intuitive approach to show up in strong wines from Santa Barbara County. I'm very eager to be leading the winemaking program at Koehler Winery.” “This keeps it fun, and it helps differentiate ourselves.”

FAQ What is Trace Brueske's current role? As of 2026, Trace Brueske is Winemaker and Vineyard Manager. Where did Trace Brueske train or study? Trace Brueske trained at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.