Diminutive and slight, its difficult to imagine Delia Viader taking on Napa Valley with her namesake, Viader Vineyards, in the early 80’s. But take it on she did. Dominated by testosterone & tradition, Napa Valley was a man’s realm. There were few women (if any) starting up a winery and doing their own farming and winemaking. Particularly young female upstart Vintners. But this well educated (Ph.D.), single mother of four, had a mission. That mission was to provide a legacy for her children. She came armed with multiple degrees and a passion for success. She was comfortable with the challenge no matter how difficult.
"Wine is a work of art when you are able to shine a light on its best parts. The sun-drenched days, the foggy days, they’re all in the bottle. You can feel the sun, the dry volcanic rock, in the wine. It’s this part of the creative work that fascinates me."
She looked at the business of wine in the early 80’s. It was not going to be a glamorous gig. All wine growing is farming. Hard farming. Automation was still an idea for daydreamers. Everything required a hands-on approach. She asked her father if he could help support her with an investment. The response was one she dreaded. He looked at her and said, “After all the money I poured into your education? All you want to be is a farmer?” Delia had three degrees and a doctorate. Her tone was one of conviction. This was not something she did on whimsy. She had carefully researched the opportunity and what it would take to get the project off the ground. Well aware of the calculated risks and the potential she pushed hard. Dedication and optimism would carry her far, but she also had the brains. She told him she would prove the value of the investment to him. She took her ideas and developed a proposal. In the end, she knew she would get his support. But he wouldn’t gift the money to her. This would be a business transaction. She returned the investment and made good on her word. It would still take her 20 years to convince him the wine business was a good career choice but prove it she did.
"When you jump into winemaking, wine growing you become so passionately engaged in what you are doing. The creative part speaks to the nurturing part of a woman. It has never let me go. "
Finding the right property did not take long the challenges would be in the terrain. The steep hills of the 90 acres on Viader Vineyards is a challenge for anyone set on farming. It’s hilly, with a 30%+ incline. Rocky, but that’s a gift. Vines love rocks. It presented a challenge to plant and harvest. When Delia purchased the land, dynamite had to be used to excavate and prepare the land. That was the tip of the iceberg. Next, it had to be cleared and prepped for planting. She got to know every inch her 98 acres and with that a visual understanding of how the vineyards should be established.
Her convictions were not always welcome. To take advantage of the long hours of sunlight, she chose vertical planting. This plan would muster opposition from those who had worked the vineyards for years in Napa Valley. She decided to “Follow the path of the sun.” in her son, Alan Viader’s words. The entire valley was planting horizontally or terracing on hillsides. She would go vertical. Bucking convention. This was her property, her dream, her vision. They warned her of loss of soil due to erosion. She had done her homework, knew of the risks and made the decision she recognized as best for her vineyards. Delia stuck with her vision. In the long run, it paid off. “We never incurred erosion”, said Alan Viader.
“In many ways I chose wine. But wine also chose me.”
One can’t embark on an adventure of this size without getting some guidance or sage advice along the way. In the realm of winemaking, Delia Viader is a bantam fighter in size. A Goliath in fortitude. Moving barrels and doing heavy lifting was a huge feat. She relied to some degree on the workers she had access to, but most would fall on her shoulders.
The invitation to taste at Robert Mondavi’s Winery was a turning point for her. It was a mecca for those who needed advice or guidance on challenges. Delia went to the event with enthusiasm. It was a place to taste wines, share ideas, discuss and debate. She became friends with interns and the winemakers who attended. The relationship she would cherish the most was the friendship with Bob (Robert Mondavi). Known as an innovator and a source of inspiration for so many in the Valley since he started Robert Mondavi Winery in 1966.
“He was an amazing force. I was there the day he received a contraption that would save hours and hours of time racking barrels”, Delia Viader mused. She was facing a weekend of racking with one helper because that was all she could afford. She asked him if she could use it. Robert Mondavi (Bob, as he preferred to be called asked his team if they needed it for the weekend. The answer was no. He told her to take it for the weekend. This part of giving was so much of Mondavi’s legacy. “So many people related to Bob as this generous spirit. Viader said smiling, “We used to call it the ‘University of Napa Valley’ because he was so open to sharing information with any student or crazy person that wanted to know about it
On Success
I asked Delia about her success and when she first realized she was going to be successful. “I had been receiving great reviews, but somehow this was different. It was the 1997 Vintage. One of those years you would call it a big gift from God. When the wine was first being considered for Wine Spectators Top 100 list. That’s when it hit me. I’m there, almost there.” It was 2001 and her 1997 vintage of …. would be single out at California’s sole wine to make it into the top 10 of the top 100 list.
On Breaking Blends:
She put 40% of Cabernet Franc in her Cabernet Sauvignon and received immediate pushback from other winemakers in the Valley. Shocked, they asked her why she was putting that “bastard grape” in the Cabernet. She saw it completely different. Her love for Cabernet Franc came from its beautiful elegance, the aromatic fragrance, and its exquisite feminine touch. The tiny berries produced from the Cabernet Franc would be a challenge to grow and harvest. They’re fickle in their own right. The different dimensions it provided her blends were worth it. “It’s artistic. You cannot be bound by norms. What I do in the cellar is take the nicest, brightest, juiciest parts and put them in the bottle.” she explained.
What she celebrates the most about her life on the vineyard?
The ability to have her family with her… she’s built a dynasty of sorts. Her family is always supporting her. The rewards are tremendous because she sees this as a way of creating something 100% on her own. She also recognizes that this life is not for everyone including her children. To have her children decide to go into the business gave her validation that what she’s built has merit. They see that value as well.
Advice on living your best life.
“Never give up on your dream. Never be fearful, If you want it, go for it. It’s your life. No one can tell you hot to live your life. Don’t listen to the criticisms and silly double talk.” Delia Viader
Winemaker and son, Alan Viader remembers when they came to look at the future home of Viader Vineyards back in the 1980’s. They were traveling along a dirt road which was bottoming out here and there. His mother, Delia, turns to him and says, ” This is going to be a vineyard. I am going to make wine and this is going to be our legacy.” Alan recalls tasting grapes when he was eight years old in their vineyards. At 18 he was picking grape samples and tasting the nuances of the grapes. He learned to discern the different nuances from one lot to another.
Alan started managing the vineyards in 2002. He’s studied viticulture in Bordeaux France and traveled the globe to important wine regions to learn new techniques and processes of winemaking and sustainable, organic and biodynamic processes. His intimate knowledge of the vineyards has been instrumental in today’s winemaking process at Viader. Now he’s engaged full time in winemaking. His favorite part is creating wine. He’s an artisan as well, but his true art is in the winemaking.
Visit:
Viader.com https://viader.com/
1120 Deerpark Road
By Appointment
Alice Tetienne of Champagne Henriot Organic is important, but not necessarily the best. It is but one part of the equation. We have to be
Barodlino has a rich history in both wine and culture. There is no better Rosé that takes the beauty of the region and expresses it than Chiaretto Rosé.
Could it be that this region, today known as the Fastest Growing Wine Region in the United States is the world’s next Napa Valley? This is Idaho Wine Country.
The 55 judges awarded silver, gold and grand gold medals to wines from 25 countries.
At the beginning of March, in the @paysdocigpwines region of Southern France, over 1,200 #rosé wines from across the globe competed for the highly coveted @concoursmondial de Bruxelles medals. The @vinolok_global international Revelation Trophy was awarded this year to a rosé wine from #Italy – Y by 11 Minutes Rosé – produced by @pasquawines in #Veneto. Well done!
The Winners of the International Wine competition on Rosé for 2023 are in:
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an international wine competition that takes place annually and is considered one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world. The competition is held in a different location each year, and it attracts thousands of entries from winemakers around the world. The focus of the competition is on identifying wines of high quality that are representative of their region and grape variety.
In recent years, the competition has added a separate category for rosé wines, recognizing the growing popularity and diversity of this style of wine. The competition judges rosé wines on their color, aroma, taste, and overall balance, with the aim of identifying the best examples of the style from around the world.
Winning a medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles can have a significant impact on a winery`s reputation and sales, as it is widely recognized as a mark of quality and excellence. The competition also provides an opportunity for winemakers to receive feedback from a panel of international experts, helping them to refine their techniques and improve their wines.
Winners link is: https://resultats.concoursmondial.com/en/results/2023
Congrats to all the Rose producers who participated!
#WineCompetition #winetasting #rosé #winelover #trendingwine #whattodrink #concoursmondialdebruxelles #paysdoc #montpelier #france #Veneto #winemedals #thewinesiren #wineoclock #winerating #winejudge
When great viticulture is an obsession you chose wisely and well. @vitnerd for @lecole41 on sustainability, great viticulture and award winning passion for vines.
WATCH WITH LINK IN BIO: SADIE DRURY - VINEYARD MANAGER
Sadie Drury is a Walla Walla native who has been passionate about agriculture since her first job of picking strawberries at the age of 12. In 2007, Sadie decided to combine her passion for agriculture with her love for wine by attending the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College and pursuing a career in viticulture. In 2008, Sadie started an internship at Ciel du Cheval Vineyard where she moved up the ranks to Assistant Vineyard Manager. Sadie joined the North Slope Management team in early 2013 and took over the reins as GM later that year. She currently manages 6 vineyards including the famed Seven Hills Vineyard. Sadie is the current Chair for the Washington State Wine Commission. She is the 2019 Power’s Sabbatical Recipient, the 2020 Washington Winegrowers Erick Hanson Memorial Grower of the Year, and a 2021 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker.
#WashingtonWine #WallaWalla #lecole #Viticulture #sustainable #Sustainability #Vine #winelover #DrinkSustainable #TheWineSiren #SevenHills #wineeducation
https://www.youtube.com/live/PiWKkhnre94
The Ritz, Paris.
A destination since 1898, the Ritz Paris is one of the most iconic hotels in Paris.
There is no better place to return with a couple of my most cherished friends and begin our dinner and catch up session with an exquisite bottle of Extra Brut
Champagne Barons de Rothschild. Made from Chardonnay 60%;Reserve wines, the majority of which
are kept in their perpetual reserve (solera) 40%,
Pinot Noir 40%,
Grands and
Premiers crus 85%
Dosage 1.5 g/L
Ageing 4 years minimum
Exquisite perlage enhanced by notes of minerality and salinity, the brioche like aromas reveal notes of pear and fig. Delightfully well balanced its arômatic finish satisfies. This beauty is cellar worthy and will reveal its riches for years to come.
The stunning facade has a place in history since 1705. Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the most famous architect of the Baroque period, drew the initial design for Louis XIV.
The luminaries who frequented the hotel were many, Marcel Proust, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Many are the writers and artists inspired by the Ritz in their work as well. Hemingway for The Sun Also Rises and F. Scott Fitzgerald for Tender is the Night. In fact, the hotel’s “Bar Hemingway” was named for the author.
For 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren a return to the Ritz is a return to the incredible history of Paris and a moment of great drinks and bites with dear friends. From the moment you cross the threshold the inviting aroma and views of luxurious surroundings envelope you.
Do you Ritz?
Photos
1. The Ritz Paris champagne. Pure deliciousness. Notes below.
2. The stage is set at your entrance. Visuals and aroma envelope your senses.
3. Cherished Parisian friends to share the experience with.
4. The stage is set at @barvendome
5. Fresh truffles with French fries
6. Probably the best steak tartare on the planet. Served mild, spicy or extra spicy . Texture and rich flavor abound.
7. Just one of the lovely cocktails served.
8. The vibe at Bar Vendome
9. The Hemingway Bar . Very few seats and always packed.
10. And the regroup at the end of the evening. This is where memories are made.
#Paris #ritzparis #TheWineSiren #champagnerothschild
From Carcassonne to Montpelier the beauty of @paysdocigpwines shines through. I`ll share more on my newest discoveries when I`m back in the US .
The bar @hotelricherdebelleval .... incredible. Have you been?!
#winetravel #winetraveler #thewinesiren #kellymitchell #wine #winelover #ginlover #barsofinstagram #beautifuldestinations #wheretofindme #france #montpellier #justdrinks #cocktailtime
Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
2 Responses
After growing up in the Valley I finally made it up to Viader back in December, what a gorgeous slice of heaven! Great post, can’t wait to get back and try some more wines!
-Caroline
Its so so nice to see such a family dynamic here! Wonderful post