Richard Schumaker

Richard Schumaker joined the Quilceda Creek team as Assistant Winemaker in 2023, where he works closely with Director of Winemaking Paul Golitzin and Winemaker Mark Kaigas. As Assistant Winemaker, Richard aids in all aspects of Quilceda Creek’s precision winemaking from the vineyard to the cellar.

With a B.S. in Bioengineering from Washington State University, Richard began his career in 2016 doing technical research on the peppermint genome. However, a life in the lab wasn’t for him and he recalled the excitement he had felt during his college bioengineering internship at Merry Cellars Winery. This passion prompted him to trade in his desk for the vineyard and his computer for the wine glass. Richard applied and was accepted to the viticulture and enology program at the University of California, Davis, where he graduated with a master’s degree in 2019. Upon finishing the acclaimed wine program, Richard worked a harvest at Dierberg & Star Lane Vineyards and found a mentor in Santa Barbara winemaker Tyler Thomas. Following harvest Richard spent time as a Cellar Master at Sta Rita Hills’ Alma Rosa Winery before returning to Dierberg where he quickly worked his way up from Cellar Technician to Assistant Winemaker.

Despite Richard’s success in Santa Barbara, when the opportunity to work with Quilceda Creek arose, he promptly pursued it, excited to move back to his home state and work with Paul and Mark. Richard believes that winemaking is a blend of art and science and is looking forward to bringing his unique background to the team to make the best Cabernet Sauvignon possible.

Outside of the cellar, Richard loves to spend time outdoors, exploring the best hikes that Washington has to offer, skiing and practicing Kung Fu.