Ghostnote Wines

Ghostnote Wines is the work of me, Brad Friedman. There’s plenty of wine in the world— so when I finally decided to make something of my own, above anything else, I wanted it to have purpose. A creative outlet, but one rooted in the truest form of the craft. Wines that are naturally made, quietly serious, and cut through the noise. Above all, wines that are simply delicious.

By day, I’m the Assistant Winemaker at Thomas Fogarty Winery, where I’m a part of the team to help craft Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varieties of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s a place that’s shaped my approach and understanding in wines of the world. Ghostnote Wines is my small, independent project — a space to explore and create something distinctive.

I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where my dad, Larry, first introduced me to wine. He works in distribution as a sommelier and fine wine specialist, and his passion for the craft set me on this path. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work vintages across Napa, Sonoma, Australia, Portugal, Austria, New Zealand, and South Africa — and to hold winemaking roles at Big Basin Vineyards and Ridge Monte Bello.

Ghostnote Wines is my way of staying connected to the craft — an expressive shaping of time, place, and rhythmic freedom.