Article: Meet the Maker: Tino Paccione of Madson Wines
Meet the Maker: Tino Paccione of Madson Wines
Madson Wines, named after founder/winemaker Cole Thomas's Danish grandmother, began in 2018 with the goal of producing wines that reflect the coastal vineyards and rugged landscapes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Before becoming a winemaker, Cole studied agroecology at UC Santa Cruz and worked as an organic vegetable farmer, edible landscaper, and seed librarian. His path into wine led him from Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard to harvests in Australia and New Zealand, experiences that deepened his commitment to thoughtful agriculture and site-driven winemaking.
The winery farms or directly oversees the vineyard sites it works with, all of which are farmed organically with an emphasis on regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and long-term soil health. In the cellar, the goal is to preserve the character of the fruit rather than shape it, using native fermentations, minimal additions, and a gentle approach to aging and bottling. The resulting wines are vibrant, energetic, and distinctly coastal, capturing the freshness and natural acidity that have made the Santa Cruz Mountains one of California's most exciting wine regions.
