POST CARD FROM NAPA

     Working for wineries here in Napa can be fun, and the rewards are many.  The seasonal natural beauty, the perfect climate, and the romance of wine are responsible for attracting many talented and well-rounded people to the Valley.

     I work in sales and hospitality at Laird Family Estate Winery, a winery in Napa that is home to many small, ultra-premium labels.  Getting to know some of the winemakers behind the labels has given me a new appreciation of the human element of winemaking.

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Mia Klein

    Mia is one of Napa's most respected winemakers.  Her twenty year winemaking career has included association with Araujo, Spottswoode, and Viader.  At present Mia represents BresslerVineyards, Fisher Vineyards, Dalle Valle Maya, and her own Selene label.  Her 2001 Selene  Carneros Hyde Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is pure nectar, and the Merlot  2000 is rich with flavors of cherries, raspberries, and chocolate.

     Mia's interest in wine can be traced back to her late teenage years when she worked at a Southern California seafood restaurant.  The staff would sip and talk about wine after work.  After working in a San Francisco wine shop, Mia enrolled in the winemaking program at UC Davis and worked with Tony Soter at Robert Pepi Winery early on.

     Away from the cellar Mia practices martial arts and rides her motorcycle.  Her Selene wines are available at fine shops and restaurants. In case you are wondering, "Selene" is the name of the Greek Goddess of the full moon.  Mia has a keen sense of the moon, stars, and planetary influences on agriculture.

Doug Barr

     Hollywood and Vine Cellars, makers of the "2480" brand, is a project of two college roomates from years ago, Doug Barr and Bruce Orosz.  In the 1980's Doug acted on television as Lee Majors' sidekick on the "Fall Guy", and later on "Designing Women", which is still shown on cable.  Bruce is a Los Angeles events producer.

     The two Hollywood and Vine partners hired Celia Masyczek as their winemaker and contracted to use the Laird facilities.  The wine style of the incredible 2001 "2480" Chardonnay is fruit and more fruit.  Some of America's best restaurants have placed this wine on their lists, including the French Laundry, Gary Danko, and Patina.  The 2000 Cabernet is also fruit focused, with ripe cherries, raspberries, plums, and currents on the nose and tongue.  The finish is lingering and seductive.

Peter Franus

     Peter came west and pursured a career in journalism at UC Berkeley, eventually studying enology.  After working for years with William Hill, Franciscan Oakville Estates, and Mt. Veeder Winery, Peter started  the Peter Franus label and began working for himself. 

     Peter is very down-to-earth.  He uses words like "delicious" to describe a good wine, instead of wine culture jargon.  He has an old white pickup and a little black dog.  Peter talks about wine having soul.  From tasting Peter's Zinfandels and Cabernets I must agree.  They are delicious and soulful, the artistic expressions of a nice guy.

Christina "Chris" Benz

     Chris is the choreographer of Laird Family Estate Winery.  I don't know how she does it.  She is responsible for coordinating the logistics of moving grapes to the press, juice to the tanks, wine from the tanks to barrels, and barrels to bottle for 40 labels.  During the busy harvest season she directs this agricultural symphony with super-human organizational skills. 

     Chris teaches wine classes and is involved in martial arts, which undoubtedly helps her maintain focus and prioritization when most people would be overwhelmed. She is truly an amazing artist.