Heidi Peterson Barrett is an American winemaker and entrepreneur who has been responsible for some of California's most notable cult wines.[2] Her career has included stints at Screaming Eagle,[3] Dalla Valle Vineyards, Paradigm Winery, Grace Family Vineyards,[4] Amuse Bouche, Lamborn Family, Showket Vineyards, Revana Family Vineyards, Vineyard 29 and Fantesca Estate & Winery. Barrett is a consultant for Elizabeth Spencer and has her own wine label, La Sirena.[2]
Heidi Barrett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Heidi Peterson Berkeley, California |
| Education | B.Sc. in Fermentation Science, 1980 |
| Alma mater | University of California, Davis |
| Occupation | Winemaker |
| Years active | 1983 - present |
| Employer | Barrett & Barrett |
| Spouse | Bo Barrett |
| Children | Remi and Chelsea [1] |
| Parent(s) | Richard and Diane Petersen |
Early years and education edit
Barrett was born in Berkeley, California to parents Richard and Diane Peterson. Her father was an influential winemaker who worked for several wineries including E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California and Beaulieu Vineyards in St. Helena, California where he worked under Andre Tchelistcheff.[5]
Barrett attended grade school in Modesto before her family moved to the Napa Valley.[6] and graduated from UC Davis in 1980 with a B.Sc. in Fermentation Science.[7] She was one of only four women in her graduating class of 30.[8]
Career edit
Following internships in both the German and Australian wine industries, Barrett became head winemaker for Buehler Vineyards in 1983 at age 25.[9][10] In 1988, at age 30, Barrett left Buehler and struck out on her own as a winemaker consultant.[8] Her first consulting client was Dalla Valle, and she worked with her proprietor Gustav Dalla Valle to earn her first two 100-point scores from Wine Advocate's Robert Parker.[8]
After achieving success with Dalla Valle, Barrett began working with Jean Phillips of Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley.[8] Phillips was the realtor for her first client Gustav Dalla Valle, and began working with Barrett on a casual, hourly basis.[8] This brand took off in the early 1990s, and following the 1992 vintage of Screaming Eagle, Barrett became a "winemaking star".[11][12]
Barrett then began working as winemaker for Ren Harris of Paradigm Winery, and continued to grow her career from there. As Barrett's children grew up, she was able to devote more time to her winemaking career.[8]
Wine critic Robert Parker has awarded her wines 100 points five times and called her "The First Lady of Wine" as well as "the Queen of Cult Cabernet."[7][9][13]
Personal life edit
Barrett is married to Bo Barrett, the winemaker at Chateau Montelena[14] She has two daughters; Remi and Chelsea.[10] She is an avid scuba diver, painter, and helicopter pilot.[15][16]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Winemaker Profile". Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Laube, James (October 9, 2003). "Merlot for Your Amusement". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012.
- ^ Glynn, Amy (February 21, 2017). "Decanted: A Winemaker's Journey". Paste. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- ^ Fish, Tim (June 12, 2001). "California Cult Producer Grace Family Vineyards Hires New Winemaker". Wine Spectator.
- ^ "Screaming Eagle: An American masterpiece". Christies Auctions. August 16, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Intardonato, John (September 16, 2004). "Barrett passion shines from vineyard to studio". Napa Valley Register. Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ a b "Amuse Bouche Wines - Winemaker Heidi Barrett". amusebouchewine.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Orbison, Willie (November 3, 2015). "Napa's Most Famous Winemaker Rides a Helicopter to Work". Munchies. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- ^ a b "Heidi Peterson Barrett". Calwineries. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Lander, Jess. "Heidi Barrett of Calistoga: Napa Valley's queen of cabernet". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- ^ Laube, James; Sogg, Daniel (March 21, 2006). "Screaming Eagle Sold". Wine Spectator.
- ^ "Heidi Barrett: Napa Valley's queen of cabernet reflects on wine, pirates, helicopters and what 100-point scores really mean". Napa Valley Register. Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc. March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
- ^ Ofenloch, Melanie (May 27, 2018). "DLynn Proctor and Duane Hoff from Fantesca Winery". DallasWineChick.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Franson, Paul (October 2007). "Winemaker Interview: Heidi Peterson Barret". Wines & Vines.
- ^ Smith, Melissa L. (August 2, 2021). "Dream Cellars: Heidi Barrett". enotrias. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Our Team". Aviatrix Wine. Retrieved September 4, 2023.