After earning a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis at the age of 36, Don began his career in wine making at Joseph Phelps Winery in Napa Valley earning his dues doing “grunt” work in the cellar. From there he worked as assistant winemaker for Vichon, Ehler’s Lane, and Merryvale. In 1992 he became the winemaker at William Hill Winery and began what was to become a long friendship with Bill Hill.After a European group acquired the William Hill Winery, Don continued on with Bill and together they created the Chilean Morning Star label or Hill and Thoma Wine Estates. They traveled to Chile together to seek out the finest fruit available for Morning Star, and Don’s interest in making wine internationally was born.

In 1998 Don accepted an opportunity to work in Chile as project manager and winemaker for Kendall Jackson’s newest international project, the Vina Calina Winery. Once there, Don oversaw every aspect of the project from land acquisition to the construction of what was to be a 350,000 case production winery. After the Vina Calina winery was complete, Don returned to California in 2000, refreshed and inspired by his international experience and renewed his relationship with long time colleague Bill Hill. As the former winemaker for Bighorn Cellars, Don worked closely with Bill to create the style of wine they are both passionate about- elegant and balanced with the fruit showing the way.

When it comes to wine making, Don Baker believes that wine should be an expression of varietal purity. The fruit should shine first and foremost without being overwhelmed by too much oak or malolactic fermentation. To Don, wine making is about bringing “perfect balance in the cellar to what Mother Nature has created in the vineyard.” His goal is to simply guide his wines through fermentation, utilizing only the finest fruit and the gentlest handling possible.