Viader Vineyards & Winery

Viader Vineyards and Winery is the most intellectually provocative estate on Howell Mountain, a property founded by Argentine-born Delia Viader, who made the controversial decision to plant her vineyards vertically up the slope rather than along the contour, a technique common in the steep vineyards of Europe but almost unheard of in California. Founded in 1986, the estate produced wines that immediately challenged conventions and earned both fierce criticism and passionate admiration. Delia, who holds a PhD from MIT and studied viticulture in Bordeaux, brought an academic rigor to every decision that distinguished Viader from the more intuitive, seat-of-the-pants approach of many early mountain producers.

The estate covers 22 acres of steep, south-facing hillside at elevations above 1,200 feet on the volcanic slopes of Howell Mountain. The vertical row orientation, which many neighbors predicted would cause erosion, actually allows for better drainage and more even sun exposure than the traditional contour planting. The thin volcanic soils and extreme slope create conditions of profound natural stress, producing tiny berries of extraordinary concentration. The vineyard survived the 2017 wildfires that devastated other Howell Mountain properties, testament to the firebreaks and land management that Delia implemented.

Winemaker Alan Viader, Delia's son, now crafts the wines with the same scientific precision and creative ambition that his mother brought to the vineyards. The flagship VIADER proprietary blend, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc combination inspired by the Right Bank of Bordeaux, is the estate's signature. The Dare Syrah showcases the variety's potential at mountain elevation. The V bottling, a lighter, earlier-drinking expression of the estate terroir, provides a more accessible entry point. The wines are structured, complex, and built for aging, reflecting both the intensity of the mountain fruit and the family's patience.

Tastings at Viader are by appointment and conducted on the estate, with the vertical vine rows providing a dramatic visual backdrop. The experience includes a tour of the controversial vineyard, where the logic of vertical planting becomes apparent when standing on the slope, followed by a seated tasting of the current portfolio. Delia's presence and intellect have made the estate a favorite among visitors who want their wine tasting to include genuine intellectual engagement. The $95 tasting fee reflects the quality and the one-of-a-kind nature of the experience.

Viader's importance to Napa Valley lies in Delia's willingness to challenge orthodoxy with evidence and conviction. The vertical planting decision was not a whim but a calculated bet based on her study of European viticulture, and its success on Howell Mountain has influenced vineyard design throughout the valley. Her journey from Argentina to MIT to Napa Valley is one of the most compelling personal stories in American wine, and the wines she and her son produce are worthy of the extraordinary woman behind them.