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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.
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@mvino1 has spent her career in the wine business telling the unique stories of wineries and as a Sommelier and Vintner. Here she has created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. Check it out to experience the whole systems, regenerative practices at each of these @napagreen certified wineries that are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley.
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @bcellars
📍 @boeschenvineyards
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Central Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @ballentinevineyards
📍 @barnettvineyards
📍 @cliffamily
📍 @freemarkabbey
📍 @grgichhillsestate
📍 @mummnapawinery
📍 @pejuwinery
📍 @rombauervineyards
📍 @rutherfordhillwinery
📍 @schweigervineyards
📍 @stsupery
📍 @tressabores @tressaboreswinery
📍 @vsattui
📍 @whitehalllane
📍 @zdwines
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
We love working with @mcecleanenergy to not only help you save energy but also money!
Hear from Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero to hear how much they saved from a lighting change then connect with the Napa Green or MCE team to learn more.
🎥 @robot_productions
#energyefficiency #climateaction #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablewine
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Check out these stunning @napagreen certified wineries in this itinerary from @evyncam that takes you from the bay to the forest to explore the wide range of ecosystems that Napa Valley has to explore.
📍 @bouchaine_vineyards
📍 @ruddestate
📍 @seaveyvineyard
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Southern Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @antinorinapavalley
📍 @artesawinery
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
📍 @odetteestate
📍 @pineridgewine
📍 @priestranchwine
📍 @robertcraigwinery
📍 @robertmondavi
📍 @stagsleapwinecellars
📍 @truchard
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
Find out what being @napagreen certified means to @joshwidaman and the team @pineridgewine, then go for a visit and taste the love in every bottle!
#sustainablewine #regenerativeviticulture #winetasting
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Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations.
📍 @larkmeadvineyards
📍 @silveroakcellars
📍 @vsattui
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This is not your typical itinerary by @abrittain – wetting your palate for wine producers that are difficult, perhaps impossible, to visit. However, if you are a wine connoisseur seeking exceptional wines from sustainability and climate leaders you should absolutely put in the effort to secure wines from these @napagreen certified producers.
📍 @dominusestatewinery
📍 @lailvineyards
📍 @adamvs
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This itinerary is ideal for a girls’ trip or a day out with friends! Discover the sustainable side of Napa with @goodfriendsgoodfood itinerary, which celebrates diversity and offers wines tailored to a range of palates.
These @napagreen certified wineries provide beautiful settings to connect over fantastic wine, all while supporting positive change within the wine industry.
📍 @domainecarneros
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @trefethenfamily
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This itinerary by Sommelier and Vintner, @danpetroski, showcases a rich variety of regional efforts from @napagreen certified wineries with a diversity of style, size, production and profiles, where each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate.
Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary to complete your visit!
📍 @ashesxdiamonds
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
@closduval’s bottles from Verallia are 30% lighter than traditional bottles, which represents a 34% reduction in carbon emissions from glass production alone!
Lightweight glass saves natural resources, lowers transportation costs and emissions, and reduces the risk of employee injuries. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, it’s also beautiful!
Get a bottle (or several) of this @napagreen certified wine to feel and taste the commitment sustainability from soil to bottle.
#winetasting #wineindustry #climateaction #lightenup #lightweightglassbottles
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Get insider information and tips to make the most of your trip to some of @reyeswine.mw’s favorite Napa Green certified wineries with this exclusive in-the-know Itinerary.
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @sequoiagrove
📍 @schramsberg
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This itinerary, by Master Sommelier, @andrearobinsonms, will take you to @napagreen Certified wineries, where we can see and taste the commitment to our planet and our community that pays off now in great wine, natural beauty and soil health, while paying it forward.
📍 @chandonusa
📍 @grgichhillsestate @grgichhills
📍 @troisnoixwine
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @twentyrowswines for @napagreen Winery Certification!
Twenty Rows crafts small lots of their Napa Valley wines, at the @fiordisolewines certified sustainable facility. These wines are not only made with environmental impact in mind, they reflect honest varietal character and showcase the terroir where the grapes were grown.
#sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #napavalleywine
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This itinerary by @abrittain will take you to @napagreen certified, tucked away spots, run by some powerhouse women, deeply dedicated to the stewardship of the Napa Valley.
📍 @tressabores
📍 @viadernapavalley
📍 @spottswoodewinery
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @etudewines for achieving @napagreen winery recertification!
Etude Wine’s sustainability initiatives encompass everything from cover crops, solar powered facilities, recycled water use and water-wise landscaping, wetland and habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, stunning pollinator gardens and more. For a truly immersive sustainability experience with expressive wines with a holistic winemaking approach.
#climateaction #winetasting #wineindustry
