OUR TEAM
Rich Rorden
Owner & Winemaker
Rich has been involved in winemaking for as long as he can remember, and has learned much of his method from his father, Bud. In making wine for Cantiga Wineworks, Rich continually searches for ways to preserve the integrity of the family method while mediating this with the unique requirements of a somewhat larger-scale, commercial production. Before Cantiga, Rich worked as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry. A Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, Rich worked for TRW in Manhattan Beach for over a decade, designing satellites for both commercial and government projects. He applies the same meticulous attention to detail to his winemaking!
Christine Rorden
Owner & Manager
Christine handles the company's marketing and administration, as well as assisting with wine making alongside her husband, Rich. In addition to running the company's office, she takes care of Cantiga's next generation of winemakers. In her previous life, Christine worked as an ethnomusicologist and educational writer. She received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in early music, particularly the Renaissance lute. She then graduated with an MA in ethnomusicology from UCLA, where she specialized in Balkan and Near Eastern music. Christine can sometimes be found playing one of her exotic instruments at Cantiga's special events, accompanied by Rich on hand drums.
Seth Picker
Assistant Winemaker
Seth, pictured here with his wife, Nicole, has been part of the Cantiga Wineworks family since 2010. With a background in Environmental Science (Feather River College), Seth is a big proponent of natural wine making and sustainable agriculture. Seth is equally adept in both the tasting room and the cellar, and customers thoroughly enjoy his perspectives and insights. When he is not making wine, Seth enjoys brewing craft beer and hiking, camping or skiing in the high Sierras.
Bud Rorden
Co-founder &
Inspiration
The patriarch of the Rorden family, Bud Rorden was instrumental in the founding of Cantiga. He was a highly accomplished engineer, businessman, and winemaker. He was known for his pioneering work in the satellite-building industry and CEO of a successful company, Develco. As a serious amateur winemaker, Bud developed methods of producing wines of exceptional quality and character over the years. Much of his winemaking knowledge, passed on to his children, forms the basis for the methods used in Cantiga Wineworks. Bud passed away in 2018 and is greatly missed.
Judy Rorden
Co-founder
Judy has been involved in the Rorden wine operation for many years and has served as Cantiga's wholesale agent. A gourmet cook, she brings knowledge of wine and food pairing to the venture. She also has a finely tuned palate and can detect the slightest hint of malolactic fermentation or other processes with a single whiff or taste. Judy, who has a long and distinguished career as a public health nurse and a developer of educational programs, also brings expertise in business and health issues.
Peggy Shippen
Co-founder
Peggy Shippen is the mother of the Rorden brood, and has been intimately involved in the family wine operation from its inception. A graduate in English and Literature from Stanford University, Peggy raised her four children with an appreciation for the arts and the natural world. Peggy spent many years singing with the California Bach Society. She continues to sing at her church, and she also enjoys attending the Carmel Bach Festival each year. Additionally, Peggy is one of the Stanford Cardinals' most enthusiastic fans and rarely misses a game!