As I live in Napa Valley, it seems that you often run into winemakers at every corner. Some of the typical occurrences include: meeting them at a sponsored wine event, standing behind them at the supermarket checkout, or sitting beside them at a local restaurant. I've met quite a few winemakers since I've lived in Napa, but the most memorable ones include several women whose winemaking style, palate and grace have stood out over the past decade. They have raised the bar by bringing "cult wines" to the forefront of collectors' wine lists.
One winemaker that I especially remember meeting and whose wines I had the chance to pour was Heidi Peterson Barrett. A gracious smile and vibrant personality are a few descriptors that come to mind of our first meeting. Moreover, Heidi has been characterized by her passionate drive to create beautiful, elegant and timeless wines. At that first tasting, I remember Heidi was featuring the new vintages of her private label called La Sirena and I have been a fan ever since.
Heidi Peterson Barrett (La Sirena,
Amuse Bouche, Paradigm,
Barbour Vineyards, Jones Family, Showket Vineyards,
Lamborn Family, Revana Family and Lynch)
Past clients include
Dalla Valle,
Screaming Eagle,
Grace Family,
Vineyard 29, Oakford Vineyards. In addition, Heidi has done a limited amount of consulting work for Diamond Creek Winery and Niebaum-Coppola (Rubicon).
Robert Parker has dubbed Heidi Barrett "the first lady of wine."2004 Amuse Bouche – Proprietary Red (IWC 91, WA 90) $299
2003 Amuse Bouche – Proprietary Red (WS 93, WA 92) $325
These days there are many winemaking styles and women are being noticed not only for their skill as winemakers, but also as vineyard managers and at all levels of winemaking. In addition to Heidi Peterson Barrett, below are some other great “women of California wine” that you should know more about and whose wines you should experience.
Celia Masyczek (
Mah-chess-key)
(Scarecrow, Husic, Keever,
Cornerstone, Rocca Family, Hollywood & Vine, Kelly Fleming)
2004 Husic – Cabernet Sauvignon (VF 94) $120
2005 Keever – Cabernet Sauvignon (VF 92-94) $68
2004 Rocca Family – Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville (VF 95, WS 93) $70
2003 Cornerstone – Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (VF 92, WS 88) $85
Kathy Joseph (
Fiddlehead Cellars) Santa Barbara, CA
2004 Fiddlehead – Pinot Noir 728 Fiddlestix Vineyard (VF 92, IWC 89) $42
Helen Mawson (
WINTER,
Hundred Acre (Assistant Winemaker))
2004 Hundred Acre – Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard (WA 94, IWC 94) $275
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