Delia Viader
Whenever I visit Napa Valley, I try to visit as much wineries, both the ones I work with and other that I admire and hope to work with, within the short amount of time I have there. On a recent visit, I made a point to visit Viader because it was just over 10 years since I last visited it. When I arrived and met Delia, it was as though the 10 years between us didn’t exist. She is still the beautiful, gracious, intelligent, and courageous woman that I have known and respected. This amazing lady made wines that were listed in Wine Spectator’s Top 10 wines of the year in the late 1990s for two vintages in a row while bringing up her four children on her own. With those amazing vintages, the uniqueness of Viader Vineyard was recognised as a first growth property and received the reputation of being the Cheval Blanc of Napa Valley.
The same children when I first met running around in her small winery office, now work and manage Viader Vineyards and Winery with her. Alan Viader is the Director of Operation and Winemaking, Janet Viader is the Director of Marketing & Sales, and Mariela Viader (married to Alan) is in charge of the Culinary Program. Michel Rolland (family friend) came in 2006 as the Winemaking Consultant. Delia hosted lunch for me and the group I was with, with lunch prepared by Mariela. Other than tasting current vintage of Dare, V and the new Viader Black Label, Delia found Viader 1999 (#44 WS Top 10 in 2002) and Viader 1998 (#3 WS Top 10 in 2001) for us to savour over lunch. It was drinking beautifully and elegantly, as Delia noted the chocolate and mocha flavours that she strives to achieve vintage after vintage. This is the consistency that you will always find in Viader.
I am now into the 11th vintage with Viader with the 2008 vintage. If you are curious about the “Chocolate and mocha” Delia was referring to, or simply a loyal fan and wouldn’t want to miss a vintage, check out a special Viader offer on the Promotion page or click Viader Special
