Andrew Backlin

Originally from Lake County in Northern California, Andrew worked in wine production under mentor, Jed Steele of Steele Wines as well with the Duckhorn Portfolio.

After realizing that working for a brand making over 2 million cases wasn’t what he wanted to do, he found himself in Michigan. Owners of Modales, Jim and Carol Gonzalez had purchased a vineyard and began selling their grapes to other wineries. After realizing that they could be making wine from their grapes, Andrew helped make the first release of Modales in 2016.

Working with over 15 grape varieties such as Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, newly planted Gamay, experimental plantings of Petit Manseng and Tannat to name a few, Andrew is steadily pushing the boundaries of Michigan wine.

In a recent article by Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher Andrew says that the Gonzalezes give him “Carte Blanche” to create terroir driven, low-intervention wines that show the excellence that is possible from Michigan grown grapes.

Under Andrew’s leadership, Modales is now the first USDA Organically Certified Vineyard in Southwest Michigan.