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Martin is an international wine consultant, winemaker, importer, educator, and frequent speaker and moderator recognized for his expertise in sustainability. As cofounder and copresident of the nonprofit diversity initiative Wine Unify, a cofounder of RISE Climate & Wine Symposium, and a first-generation American and the first Master of Wine of Mexican descent, and one of Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 “Top 40 under 40 Tastemakers,” Martin is definitely in the know about wine.
As someone who lives south of all the Napa magic, I’ll succumb to bias and suggest you start your adventure at a winery that’s both geographically and emotionally close to me. Nestled along the southernmost Napa portion of Highway 29, RD Winery sneaks up on you before you’ve even reached Napa. For several years I made wines at RD and watched and admired how the inspiring and thoughtful Mailynh Phan, the first Vietnamese CEO of a California winery, has led the growth of RD. She and her team have quietly created something special here. The Vietnamese-inspired tasting room is ample and aesthetically rewarding, but you can also enjoy their small-lot lineup on their handsome, sun-dappled patio. As you savor these delectably honest wines, don’t be surprised if you begin to feel like you are in on a secret, slipping into that coveted sense of being ‘in the know’ with a twist: a complete absence of snobbery.
Naturally, remember to ask your tasting host about RD Winery’s 360 commitment to being a Napa Green Certified Winery, which includes… while strongly emphasizing social equity. Finally, before you leave, do yourself a favor and enjoy a contemplative stroll through its botanically bitchin’ grounds. RD Winery feels like a cork in a haystack. They aren’t just fermenting grapes; they’re cultivating a refreshing approach to Napa wine culture that is relaxed, inclusive, and accessible. In fact, it’s plainly stated in their motto, “Making wine for every table.” I hope you welcome them on your table.
Darn right, there is an actual —and beautiful—grove of 200 ft tall Sequoias. Isn’t that enough to visit? No, seriously, if your love for nature mirrors your passion for wine then you can’t miss soaking up the energy of the wines and the trees at Sequoia Grove. A four-decade-long fixture on the famed Hwy 29, smack in the middle of wildly famous neighbors, Sequoia Grove shares intelligent, stimulating wines. As if that weren’t enough, the hospitality crew has garnered some rocking street cred, having been named “People’s Choice” for best tasting room by Napa Valley Life Magazine for several years. Their innovative tasting lineup changes every few months, never straying from an inviting educational air. Indeed, a recent “ditch the pairing rules” theme caught my eye. But whatever you do, don’t forget to stroll into the fairy ring.
The winery also boasts sustainability cred… Sequoia Grove knows what matters: a return to the joy of gathering around food and wine framed by preservation and celebration of the natural world. The winery’s approach to sustainability is not just lip service; it is a heartfelt story that will resonate with anyone who visits.
This long-revered sparkling producer, nestled in the forested foothills of Diamond Mountain, should be on your bucket list if you haven’t visited. This is true especially if you think Champagne has a monopoly on breathtaking sparklers. In fact, I’ve been to enough double-blind tastings where Schramsberg bests some of the top Champagnes, that the qualitative question is settled for me. So, let’s discuss the bucket. Offering both an adorned tasting room visit or a cave tour experience, Schramsberg is a perfect place to end your day. If you opt for the cave tour, you’re in for a visual treat. Instead of familiar rows of barrels, you’ll walk through beautiful, labyrinthian tunnels (the oldest wine caves in the Napa Valley) lined floor to ceiling with millions (yes, millions) of bottles, sometimes stacked 12 or 15 rows deep! it’s as if you’ve been transported to Epernay after all. The tasting staff is knowledgeable while conveying a refined, timeless experience; the wines complete the magic by seeming to whisk you away to a different era.
Speaking of time, the Davies family has a long and deep history of sustainable commitments; their efforts are myriad and hard to summarize in a short paragraph, but they include water and energy efficiency, solar renewable energy, comprehensive recycling, and organic and regenerative farming practices.
Before you go, a word of advice: Be sure to make a reservation. Schramsberg can only accommodate a limited number of guests each week and fills up fast. This is not a revolving door visit; each group is given ample time and attention. It’s all part of the intimate, curated experience. Then again, isn’t that how you prefer to enjoy a wine country experience? Thoughtful experiences require thoughtful planning. Enjoy.
Martin Reyes, MW | Partner, WineWise Importer
A first-generation American, Martin has held influential roles in many sectors of the wine industry since 2002: wine director, importer, educator, international judge, winemaker, climate activist, and writer. His wine story began with an over-indulgent Parisian dinner as a Stanford undergrad; soon he was stocking shelves at his local wine wine shop. In 2011, Martin became the principal buyer for national wine club programs including The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, Williams-Sonoma and was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top Forty under Forty Tastemakers in 2015. After working harvest at Solomon Undhof in 2016, he became the winemaker for Sonoma-based Peter Paul Wines for seven years.
Highlights from Martin’s multifarious career include: becoming the first Master of Wine of Mexican descent in 2018, winning Best Paper at Vienna’s 2019 AAWE Conference for his research in consumer purchasing behavior, twice producing one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “US Best Cabernets” under the Peter Paul Wines aegis, and twice being named one of Wine Business Monthly’s Industry Leaders for co-founding Wine Unify, empowering diversity, equity, and inclusion in wine, and co-founding Napa RISE – a groundbreaking, community-driven symposium accelerating meaningful sustainability and climate action leadership in Napa County. In 2022, Martin became a Partner at WineWise, a well-respected importer responsible for bringing producers like Lopez de Heredia, Filipa Pato, and Tissot into the California market.
During his spare time, Martin occasionally writes (his work has been featured in JancisRobinson.com and Napa Valley Viticultural Society’s Journal), co-hosts the James Beard-award winning FourTop podcast on the culture and future of our industry, judges for several international competitions, attempts to become fluent in a fifth language, and unfortunately for dinner guests, is an incorrigible purveyor of dad humor.
We all know that sheep are the cutest but why are they in so many vineyards?
Cori Carlson, owner of @napapastureprotein shared the ecological goals of grazing a vineyard, along with this one key takeaway at our recent @napagreen workshop.
🐑 🐑 🐑
#woolyweeders #regenerativevineyard #soilhealth
Join us on April 9, 2026 @charleskrugwinery to explore climate smart opportunities, sustainable glass, closures and more ways to green your supply chain.
We will share case studies, hear about climate-smart and alternative packaging, clarify what materials are truly recyclable, and identify new ways to divert more waste from the landfill.
With speakers from Verallia, @naturalcorkcouncil, @cork_supply, Treasury Wine Estates, @freeflowwines, @revinobottles, @keystonecapsules, Wine Industry Zero Waste Collective, @naparecycling and more!
➡️ ticket link in bio!
#winebusiness #wineindustry #supplychainmanagement
Discover four exceptional wineries united by a commitment to sustainability, community, and thoughtful hospitality.
These wineries are not only @napagreen certified but also @bcorporation certified, and through their “B Collaborative” partnership this month, they are offering a special tasting experience: wine club members receive two complimentary tastings, and non-members can enjoy a two-for-one tasting.
Learn More by visiting these wineries.
@artesawinery
@cliffamily
@spottswoodewinery
@troisnoixwine
#winetasting #visitnapavalley
Learn why Natalie Bath, Winemaker at @ruddestate considers @napagreen an important part of their commitment of land stewardship.
#SoilHealth #WomenInWine #RegenerativeViticulture
@napagreen has had a number of growers looking for organic solutions to dealing with nematodes where vines are planted. Our partners at @lallemandplantcareusa have an OMRI approved biological solution.
Learn more in this short video!
#soilhealth #vineyardmanagement #wineindustry
Join us March 17th @grgichhillsestate to connect with cover crop expert Keith Berns, with @greencoverseed, and experienced viticulturists, to leans how you can incorporate soil health practices in your vineyard!
➡️ Registration link in bio.
#soilhealth #regenerativevineyard #covercrop
What is biochar and why is it so cool?
Hear from @napa.char to learn more.
#climateaction #soilhealth #biochar
🐝 “If you build it, they will hum” - Erin Arnsteen, Western Program Coordinator @monarchjointventure
We are grateful for everyone who attended our Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop last week! It was an amazing day @grgichhillsestate filled with bees, birds, butterflies, a community passionate about biodiversity, and experts providing resources for building biodiversity in YOUR vineyard.
#regenerativeag #biodiversity #worldwildlife #regenerativeviticulture
Join us in congratulating Megan Scott (@love.dream.breathe), our Operations Director, on 6 years at @napagreen. Megan’s positive attitude and “can do” approach to problem solving has greatly contributed to the success of Napa Green and our members.
Thanks for your work and dedication to sustainability!
📸 @brianamarieweddings
📍 @trefethenfamily
#womeninwine #womeninstem #climateaction
Thanks to the @naparegister for publishing this Climate Connection contribution from @napagreen’s Vineyard Program Director, Ben Mackie (@soilrainandhope) highlighting the biodiversity @grgichhillsestate.
If you loved this article, you’ll love our Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop happening today!
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
Friday night dinner dilemma?
Order takeout from @southsidenapa using promo code DONATE and 20% of your order will be donated to @napagreen.
It’s a win: win! You get dinner and @napagreen gets funding to contribute our impactful climate action work in Napa Valley.
Order online or preorder your Fried Chicken Friday pickup for February 27, 2026. Don’t forget to pair it with Napa Green certified wine! 🍽️ 🍷
#dineanddonate #nonprofit #napavalley
Join us Thursday, February 26 to learn about biodiversity in the vineyard.
🍇 Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production at @grgichhillsestate, will welcome us to the beautiful property and illustrate the various implementation of habitat diversity they have undertaken at the American Canyon ranch.
🍇 Jo Ann Baumgartner & Sam Earnshaw from @wildfarmalliance will provide insight on how to maximize bird habitat and establish hedgerows to support the local ecology.
🍇 Erin Arnsteen from the @monarchjointventure will outline how pivotal vineyard acreage can be to support the dwindling Western Monarch populations.
🍇 Cori Carlson, owner of @napapastureprotein, will explain the ecological goals of grazing a vineyard.
🍇 Ruby Stahel from the @naparcd will join us to discuss the various resources that the RCD has to support habitat enhancement on Napa properties.
🍇 @soilrainandhope from @napagreen will talk about bees!
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
Learn about the herd of cattle calmly grazing the vineyards @ruddestate, contributing to soil health and biodiversity, in our latest post from @soilrainandhope.
➡️ Link in bio.
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regnerativeviticulture #soilhealth
Thanks to @naparegister and @kcuz for this great article about the @regenerativeviticulture and @napagreen #OneBlockChallenge field day @celaniwines.
We had a great time engaging with attendees about opportunities to implement regenerative practices in their vineyards!
If you’re regenerative curious or want to learn more head to the link in our bio!
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
Congratulations on @napagreen Vineyard Certification to @shadybrookestatewinery!
Nestled in the picturesque heart of Coombsville, Shadybrook Estate, has shown a deep commitment to regenerative viticulture and climate action. Visit to see the natural beauty of this hidden gem.
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture #napagreen
We love the biodiversity in this @grgichhillsestate American Canyon Vineyard!
Come learn how to integrate biodiversity in your vineyard on February 26 at this workshop with @napagreen, @grgichhillsestate, @wildfarmalliance, @monarchjointventure, @napapastureprotein and @naparcd.
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#Biodiversity #RegenerativeAg #RegenerativeViticulture
