Napa Valley Female Winemakers & Woman-owned Wineries
The vast majority of wineries in California, and Napa Valley, have male winemakers. Only 12% of Napa Valley wineries report female winemakers, according to a 2021 report from Santa Clara University.
However, a small but increasing number of females are breaking into the upper echelons of the wine world as owners and winemakers.
Here is a list, by no means exhaustive, of a few favorites from Napa Valley. These are active owners living locally, working at the winery, and in many cases making the wine, too.
Tres Sabores Winery: Owner/winemaker Julie Johnson is often seen around the winery, chatting with hosts or working with a pair of gardening shears. A leader in the Organic Farming movement, Julie tends her vines and wine with care is actively involved as she lives full-time at her home just next to the winery.
St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery: An urban oasis in Downtown Napa, St. Clair Brown is the winery/brewery/culinary garden vision of longtime friends and colleagues Winemaker/Brewmaster Elaine St. Clair and President Laina Brown. It’s a beautiful garden and greenhouse with beer, wine, and nibbles to satisfy everyone.
Crocker & Starr Winery: Tucked on the southern edge of St. Helena, Crocker & Starr is the passion of founding winemaker/owner Pam Starr. Welcoming hospitality and a strong focus on sustainable growing practices, and small batch winemaking make Crocker & Starr a boutique winery worth visiting.
Redmon Wines: Owner/Winemaker Lisa Redmon, who grew up in St. Helena, makes a mere 1000 cases of delightful wines sold direct-to-consumer wines. Redmon hosts guests in her little tasting room (across the way from Crocker & Starr!) and is the perfect, intimate stop for guests looking for fabulous, small-batch, micro-lot Cabernet Sauvignon (and Chardonnay and Merlot).
Corison Winery: One of the iconic women winemakers in Napa Valley, Cathy Corison has been crafting celebrated wines in Napa Valley for 35+ years. Enjoy a current release tasting or delve into their library vintages to see the full expression of fine Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
La Sirena: A cult winemaker with a huge reputation, Heidi Barrett’s own wine brand, La Sirena, can be tasted in Calistoga. With five major 100-point scores to her name, Heidi Barrett’s wines are iconic and her personal label La Sirena is worth exploring.
Dark Matter & Aloft: The Mondavi sisters have a well-known last name in Napa Valley. Their brands Dark Matter & Aloft showcase a collaboration of the 4 women whose great-grandparents Mondavi originally came to Napa Valley. With tastings conducted by one of the sisters, they look toward the future of luxury winemaking.
There are so many more female owner/winemakers! Explore and message others I should put on the list next time.