Inside MocToe: Andrew Lee Schultz on Farming, Philosophy, and Washington’s Next Benchmark Cabernet
- 1 day ago
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What does it take to make a wine that defines a region? For Andrew Lee Schultz, the answer isn’t in the cellar — it’s in the vineyard.
For nearly two decades, Andrew has been farming some of Washington’s most celebrated vineyards, contributing to multiple Top 100 and 100-point wines. MocToe is the culmination of that experience: a single-block, own-rooted Cabernet Sauvignon grown at 1,500 feet on Elephant Mountain, produced in just ten barrels per vintage. Each bottle represents years of observation, labor, and a disciplined philosophy that puts the vineyard first.
Recently, Andrew sat down with Carl Giavanti and Wine Characters to share the story behind MocToe — a conversation that reveals not only the craft of winemaking but the people and values that make it possible.
Vineyard-First Philosophy
Andrew’s approach is simple, yet demanding: small yields, precise farming, and hands-on stewardship. “Wine is agriculture first,” he explains.
“Before scores, or allocations, it begins with disciplined vineyard labor — the people who know each vine season after season. Their accumulated knowledge determines quality more than anything that happens in a cellar.”
MocToe’s Elephant Mountain Cabernet is built on this principle. Every decision, from irrigation to pruning, is made with the goal of letting the site speak for itself. No blending. No compromise. Just one block, one place, and one vision.
People, Craft, and Stewardship
What sets MocToe apart isn’t just the vineyard — it’s the team behind it. Andrew emphasizes the importance of respecting labor, creating pathways to ownership for those who steward the land, and ensuring sustainability across generations.
“If we don’t protect the people closest to the land, we don’t deserve the luxury of the bottle,”
This philosophy extends to the MocToe community through The Boot program, which returns 10% of proceeds to the crew and celebrates the work that happens long before the wine reaches the glass.
The First Boots Founders Initiative
Andrew invites a small group of wine enthusiasts to stand alongside him from the very beginning. The First Boots Founders experience is about more than tasting wine — it’s about contributing to the creation of a vineyard-driven, state-defining wine. Founders gain early access, insight, and influence as MocToe grows and matures, shaping the next chapter of Washington Cabernet.
Read the Full Conversation
The full Wine Characters interview dives deeper into Andrew’s vision, philosophy, and the stories behind MocToe’s first vintages. It’s a conversation for anyone who values authenticity, craft, and the people behind great wine.
