Congratulations to our superstar Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen for being named one of North Bay Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 for 2023! Let’s raise a glass and thank you Heidi for your commitment to opening doors for the next generation of women industry leaders.

North Bay Business Journal

April 24, 2023

“North Bay Forty Under 40 Awards Winners Announced”

“In Sonoma County, I discovered my love of winemaking. I realized my talents as a winemaker, worked hard, and pushed myself to be successful across many disciplines in the industry,” says Heidi Bridenhagen. “In addition to making wine, I have always encouraged others success and have spent time on my leadership style and leadership opportunities for others.”

Bridenhagen has been working with MacRostie Winery since 2013, when she was named their third winemaker in history. She has filled the role of director of winemaking for more than a year now. Bridenhagen names her longevity with the company as one of her greatest professional accomplishments.

A major career achievement began in 2017, when she and her team began developing an unplanted parcel of land in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Petaluma Gap appellation, one of Bridenhagen’s favorite wine regions.

They called the vineyard Nightwing, in honor of the property owner, a former WWII pilot who built a landing strip on the site, and as a nod to the indigenous bird population. “To be able to sculpt this stunning site from the ground up was a remarkable opportunity to apply everything that we have learned about cool-climate viticulture at MacRostie over the past 35 years,” says Bridenhagen

In a business sense, what is the greatest thing about being under 40; and then what is the worst?

“The best thing about being under 40 is that I have just scratched the surface of opportunities in my career. Figuring I’ll be working into my 60s, I have quite a few more vintages to experience.

The worst thing about being under 40 – I’m not sure I have one. I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in my thirties. I hope my forties bring on more challenges and experiences.”

April 3, 2023

“North Bay Forty Under 40 Awards Winners Announced”

“The names are in.

These are the individuals who are already shaping the future in a host of industries and organizations and the North Bay Business Journal’s winners of this year’s Forty Under 40 Awards.

Scroll through the gallery above to see those worth watching for what will be their contributions to the business community in the future.

The recipients are scheduled to be recognized Tuesday, April 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Saralee and Richard’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.”