In this episode of Barrels and Roots, I sit down with Maya Dalla Valle of Dalla Valle Vineyards in Napa Valley to talk about what it really takes to grow grapes and make world class wine when you only get one shot per vintage. 

We get into how she found winemaking after studying international relations and chasing a diplomat path, why wine is a living piece of history, and what it feels like to taste legendary bottles like 1911 Chateau Latour and 1945 Chateau Lafite and realize you are literally drinking a moment in time. Maya breaks down the behind the scenes reality of vineyard work, the skill and decision making in pruning that impacts not just this year but next year too, and the high stakes pressure of blending when you cannot uncouple the lots once they are combined. We talk about her years living in Bordeaux, what she learned from European multi generational wine families, biodynamic farming, old vines, and how Napa can stay authentic while still connecting with younger wine drinkers through transparency, sustainability, and stories that make wine feel less intimidating. 

We also have some fun with it, comparing grape varieties to horse personalities, calling out Cabernet Franc for its chaotic energy, and ending on a real note about slowing down, staying present, and building a legacy that still tastes like a place, a season, and a family 20 to 30 years from now.