As an individual, Peterson is unapologetic and walks to the beat of a different drummer, yet understands the regiment and dedication required of a winemaker to make wines that satisfy the palette of the consumer. There is no doubt that his Fifes and Drums experience was influential on his life.

The cork represents an important time in Peterson’s life: as a boy, he was a drummer in the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums corps. Drummer has found its following especially in the Southeast, where he grew up. “I did this for the carnivores starting in 2005, in Manhattan and D.C…it did very well out east, but it wasn’t new world enough for the west coast, it lacked that pop of fruit.” Peterson is OK with that: as an East Coaster he’s glad S.P. The latter has a cult following on the east coast and is sold exclusively as a magnum. Drummer: a Napa Valley Chardonnay and a meaty Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc. Drummer in the late 1990s, as an homage to his youth and the complex journeys that life takes us on. Michelle, and eventually quitting the corporate wine world to be a consultant for various clients in Northern California and Argentina. Jean, Ironhorse, among others, and he eventually settled in Sonoma County, working as winemaker at Kendall Jackson, Chateau St. His first internships were with Chateau St. It was the middle of harvest and their crusher had broken down, grapes and bees were everywhere, and there were a bunch of guys in shorts and boots with long hair and playing reggae music and I thought to myself ‘You can make a living doing this?’” Peterson quit his job as a cook and started at the University of California, Davis, where he received his degree in Fermentation Science. Peterson’s introduction to winemaking started with a chance encounter with winemakers at Plymouth’s Santino Winery (now known as Renwood Winery), “It was the first winery I ever went to, I was 20. He is your host in the tasting room, and brings a boisterous, welcoming East Coast attitude that is refreshing amongst the often coy and refined nature of Northern Californians. The back of the tasting room is where Peterson mixes, tastes and blends, creating works of drinkable art for his own labels and an additional seven other labels for four clients. A beautiful wooden bar co-designed by Peterson and handcrafted by Petaluma artisans serves as the focal point for his two labels: Rumpus Cellars and S.P. Colorful abstract art by acclaimed American artist Martin Johnson decorates the walls. Winemaker Scott Peterson calls it the “Rumpus Room,” with good reason. Posted on Maby Sonoma Valley Sun Scott Peterson holds court at the Rumpus Cellars tasting room

Rumpus wine