Anne Vawter 
Winemaker & Owner

Anne grew up in Eastern Washington while the wine industry was expanding rapidly around her. She was the daughter of a dairy farmer, from whom she attained her love of the land. Her father gave her more than just an appreciation for farming; he instilled in her an interest in wine.  He introduced her to Leonetti, L'Ecole No. 41, and other great wines from that region. He also inspired her to reconsider a career in dentistry and enroll in the University of California at Davis' Viticulture & Enology program.  

Anne graduated with a Bachelor's in Science in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis a few years later. She went to Napa to cut her teeth, not knowing what was ahead.  She formed her winemaking style through apprenticeships at the Oakville based Paradigm, Robert Mondavi, and Rutherford based St. Supery.  

Anne was fortunate in her time as Assistant Winemaker at Paradigm to be mentored by world-renowned winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett.  It was a small operation, and Anne got to be hands-on through the whole process, from vineyard management to bottling and sales.     

With this experience and with Heidi's help, Anne launched a successful career making wines for small boutique wineries in the Napa Valley. Oakville Ranch and Ziata are just some of the brands for which Anne has made wine during her career.  In addition to helping many Napa-based clients and founding Red Mare Wines, Anne has also consulted on several winery projects in the up-and-coming Okanagan Valley of Canada. 

The magic of Anne's winemaking style lies in the simplicity and framing of silky tannins, which her wines are known for. Anne reminds us not to pursue fads or heavy oak masking but to celebrate the site and the vintage in its own right. Her wines are elegant and balanced, excellent with food, and expressive of place.  But, it is the magic of those silky tannins which identify Anne's style. 

"Designed to present a measure of austerity and refinement," is how James Laube has put it.

Anne and her family split their time between the Napa Valley and their ocean-going sailboat, which can be found in many a far-flung port.

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