Full Transcript
Doug Shafer:
Hey everybody, it's Doug Shafer. Welcome back to another episode of The Taste. Um, we have a couple special guests today, but, before I introduce 'em, I need to tell you about this, um, fantastic little vineyard. You're just a few miles north of Shafer, up the Silverado Trail, right about where Oakville Crossroad hits the trail, if you know the area. Year in and year out, some of the best Cabernets in Napa Valley come from this hilltop. It's a gorgeous location. It's top of the world, the eastern hills of Oakville, and they've got this red dirt and I love the red dirt, grapes that come from red dirt. And it's the home of Dalla Valle, and, uh, we'd like to welcome Naoko and her daughter Maya, Dalla Valle today. Welcome, guys. Thanks for being on.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Thank you, for having us.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Thank you so much for having us.
Doug Shafer:
Uh, a lot going on with your story. There are three stories. I think there's, Naoko's, there's Maya's, and then there's Gustav's. And, I think we need to start with Gustav. And before I turn you too loose, I've gotta tell ya a memory I have, uh, a vivid memory. In the mid '80s, at this, the June Wine Auction, where we used to have the barrel tasting at the Wine Service Co-op. We'd have, pour barrel samples or, Elias and I would always be at the barrel. And it was, I don't know, it was '84, '85, '86, but, two or three years in a row, there's this guy. And he'd come up, and he was bigger than life, and long silver, white hair, always had a tan and just, uh, just the most, uh, engaging ... You just wanted to be with this guy. And we didn't know who he was. And he back every year, so every three or four ... Every year in June, we'd see him for three or four years running. And he'd come up, he goes, "Ah, you two, you two, you two make great wine, you know?" An-and we'd talk and talk, and it's like ... And he'd walk away like, "Who is that guy?" And then a couple years later, he's making wines. He's my, our neighbor. But, uh, that's my very vivid memory, wonderful memory of Gustav. But, uh, tell us about Gustav, Naoko, where, where, what's his story? Where'd he come from?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh so, you can tell, already, he's Italian.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs). Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So he was born, uh, (laughs), ... Yeah. He was born in the Northern Italy in the fr-, in the mountain, and, uh, he grew up skiing and all that, and then, eventually he fell in love with the sea. So he started, he came down the mountain, and, uh, he started, you know, getting into, um, diving. In those days, there was really no scuba diving and, uh, um, that's how he got into, um, to create his, uh, diving, uh, sports diving equipment empire. But at the, on the side note, um, yes, so yeah, so he, you know, he started making wine because his, uh, family in Ita- long time ago, was in, uh, wine business as well. So-
Doug Shafer:
Interesting.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And he's really colorful as you can recall. He was a very unique, very flamboyant, cosmopolitan. He spoke so many languages and he loved people, and he clearly loved you guys too.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs)
Naoko Dalla Val:
I know he loved you. Yeah. (laughs). Yeah, so he loved a g- great wines. I mean, that was a good sign, right? So, yes, yeah, that's, that's Gustav, and he, his interests was in art as well, antique, artifact. I mean, he, he had a many interests, but, uh, later on his, in his life, wi- wine became his true love.
Doug Shafer:
But, I was fascinating 'cause I did a little research, there's the whole scuba thing. He started this company, I think it was called SCUBAPRO, and-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
... based in Los Angeles and this was-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
... this was back in the, f-f-f 40s or 50s, I guess? Or 60s? It was kinda like the first big-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah actually-
Doug Shafer:
... scuba company.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... Yeah. I think it's like, uh, 60s, I think, I have-
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... I have to really do my math right.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Uh, yes, yeah. And then-
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
... Yeah. And then he created the brand, um, and they became, at the one point, like, second largest in the world.
Doug Shafer:
Amazing.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So he, he created the, the international brand, and, uh ... Yeah. And then, later on he sold it, and he retired in the West Indies. And, and then, I come in at that time. (laughs). So.
Doug Shafer:
Oh yeah, well, let's, lo-, well let's, let's get to you. So, before you ran into this crazy, wonderful, beautiful man, well, tell me your story. Where, yo- where'd you grow up?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh, I was born and raised in Japan.
Doug Shafer:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Um, I'm originally from Kobe, Japan, and, uh, I mainly grew up in Kobe, and, uh, spent some time in Tokyo as well. And, uh, I was interested in art, so he, I went to study in London for a little bit and I came back, and then I met Gustav.
Doug Shafer:
Interesting.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So, um, then, that's the end of the story, I usually call it.
Doug Shafer:
(laughing). Well, uh, you got married and you both, you moved to ... When, after you got married, you moved to the Caribbean, is that correct?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Uh, I did, yes.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Because he was already there.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. He already had a house there, so.
Doug Shafer:
Great.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. So, we, yeah. We used to dive every day.
Doug Shafer:
Boy, eh, why, why didn't you stay there? Why'd you come to Napa Valley? Can't dive every day here. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right, but the, uh, (laughs)-
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. But also, you know, I wanted to have a family, and, uh, West Indies not was not really my-
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... ideal place. Because my family can never visit me.
Doug Shafer:
Ah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And then, that the, um ... Yeah. One of the investment opportunity brought us to Napa Valley.
Doug Shafer:
I see it. 'Cause you say, yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
I was curious about how you guys ended up in Napa from the Caribbean.
Doug Shafer:
... was, was he looking for wine or something else, you think?
Naoko Dalla Val:
No, actually, not the wine at all. So what happened was, a good friend who has a, um, Relais and Chateaux Class Hotel in Martinique and France, they wanted to open up beautiful resort and, uh, with the restaurant in Napa Valley. So we started coming here to, to scout the location and, in the meantime, we just fell in love with this place. And we, we bumped upon this property, which was not this size, much smaller.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And we bought it and then, um, yeah, my husband immediately said, "We're gonna make wine."
Doug Shafer:
Wow.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Which I did not know-
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
... he was born in the winery at that time. So.
Doug Shafer:
So he kind of surprised you with that one?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah. Very much so.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs). Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right. Yeah. Because it was August in, uh, '82 and, uh, he said that, "Yeah, I gonna make wine." You know, you know, you're a winemaker, so how bad the timing is. (laughs). You know?
Doug Shafer:
You're right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
All the stuff in the August-
Doug Shafer:
You're right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... you wanna make wine? (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Just like that.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Well, that's, um, that's, that's, that's just crazy. So they, so you, they walked away-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... from the hotel resort idea and, and, uh, bought a vineyard.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
What was, uh, your first vintage was when?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Actually, our first commercial vintage is '86.
Doug Shafer:
Okay. '86.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah. We finished that, the, uh, construction of the winery and we started crushing that year.
Doug Shafer:
That's great. And that's up on the Hill. So the only, the other, were there other vineyards up there or w- ... There wasn't an existing vineyard you bought, correct?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Uh, right. Well, actually, it came as like, uh, less than five acres of vineyard-
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... and then we purchased more land and we planted more-
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... and we built the house and the winery. There was a vineyard but it was not really known this area. And actually, we were sort of criticize, you know, making wine using the hillside grapes. Because they said, "Well, you are spending, same amount of money, um, farming the-the-the, the land on a valley floor, and you are getting less grapes."
Doug Shafer:
Right, right. That's-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... that-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. You-you-you your
Doug Shafer:
My father, John, your, your good friend, John Shafer-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right. Good. Yeah, he was a good man.
Doug Shafer:
... had the same experience. And, um, that's why the two of you and, and Gustav, obviously knew something that everybody else didn't know that, uh, you know, the qual- ... At that time, the qual- ... Yes, you got less quantity and tonnage from the hillsides, but the quality was just, uh, um, very, very good. And then-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Exactly.
Doug Shafer:
... what's been fun over the last 20 or 30 years is, uh, people have learned how to grow that quality grapes on flatland, on heavy soils, by, you know-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
... low rigor rootstocks and cover crops, things like that. So.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right. Oh sure. Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Which-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Things have changed and improved, yeah-
Doug Shafer:
Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... since then. Right.
Doug Shafer:
I'm with you. And your first wine makers, your were ... Who was making the wines?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Joe Cafaro.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Joe Cafaro.
Doug Shafer:
I know Joe.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah. He was ...
Doug Shafer:
I know-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. I'm sure you know Joe. (laughing). And, uh, he was, uh, yeah, he was our first winemaker and he was making our wine for first couple of years. But, he was getting a little bit busy with the construction with another winery.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So he, so he introduced us and gave us the Heidi Barrett.
Doug Shafer:
Oh, okay. That's right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So Heidi started ... Yes. Yeah. And then she just had her second baby and uh ... Yeah she started making wine for us. And then also, we hired, um, her father, Dr. P- uh, Dick Petersen.
Doug Shafer:
Yes.
Naoko Dalla Val:
He was our consultant as well.
Doug Shafer:
Oh, that's-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Uh, which was great.
Doug Shafer:
I didn't know that. I've had Dick on the show and he's fantastic. I love his stories.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh, he is.
Doug Shafer:
He, he's, (laughs)-
Naoko Dalla Val:
He is. He is a great man.
Doug Shafer:
He's a wonderful-
Naoko Dalla Val:
He was a ... Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... wonderful guy. Oh, that's-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... well, you guys had some great help and you came right out of the shoots with some gorgeous wines, got wonderful reviews and, you know, you haven't looked back.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
So, really, really exciting. And, jumping in, poor Maya seeing her going, you know, "Geez, all these people talking about themselves. And what about me?"
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs)
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs)
Doug Shafer:
Ma- so Maya, Maya
Maya Dalla Vall:
Oh no, I'm happy to listen. (laughing).
Doug Shafer:
There you go. Well, Maya, so, talk to us. When did you jump into, into the whole scene? You were born when?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I was born in '87, so one year after our first commercial vintage. And growing up, I really wasn't interested in the wine business. I think, when you're surrounded too much by a good thing, you know-
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
... you don't really consider it as an actual career and jobs.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I think it took me leaving, to start realizing, um, how special Napa Valley is and, how much actually I really do, um, love the wine business and, and wanted to be a part of it.
Doug Shafer:
... but tell me about growing up though, around the winery? So were you, local, d-d- local schools, high school, was that .. Were you here in Napa or somewhere else?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. I, uh, went to, um, elementary and middle school in St. Helena. At the elementary school and then Montessori, and then I went over the Hill or mountain to high school in Santa Rosa.
Doug Shafer:
And high school interests, were you into sports activities? What were you into?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I grew up, through and through, a horse girl, I loved riding horses. Uh, there was a barn, just down the road on Silverado Trail that I grew up riding at with other friends, like Alicia Mondavi, Amanda Harlan, uh, Lizzie Neyers. So we, you know ... we all grew up together, yeah, riding and that was, that was our passion. That's, that's still my passion. Um, and I also played, uh, basketball 'cause I have, had the height for it, so. And I, and it was fun. So.
Doug Shafer:
Good.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
And so, uh, after high school, what happened then?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So after high school, I went to University of Washington, um, which is then when I started to contemplate what I actually wanted to do with my life. So I studied International Relations because, I, my parents obviously, um, both come from different countries and I g- have a very international background. So I thought, oh, that would be something I wanted to explore and see, pursue a career in either, an NGO or, uh, something in foreign service. So, I then graduated, uh, during the recession in '09. So, I mean, what do you do?
Doug Shafer:
Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
You can always work harvest, right? (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Right. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
So, uh, Bruce Neyers was kind enough to give me, uh, an internship at his winery, uh, Neyers Vineyards. And that's where I really fell in love with winemaking, working with Tadeo, their winemaker there. He really showed me all the ropes and really gave me a solid foundation in winemaking. And that's kind of where the, the path continued from there.
Doug Shafer:
Interesting. All right. So I'm gonna put you on hold for a minute and jump back to Naoko. Because, right, Maya was just a little baby in 1988, you guys came out with a wine called, Maya.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right.
Doug Shafer:
So, so, and which is, uh, wine you folks are so well known for. Tell, tell me about the origins of Maya?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Well, so in 1987, we planted the Maya's Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So, you know, we knew that gonna be, because she was born that year, and I was pregnant that year, so I th- ... Yeah, we decided that gonna be a vineyard. And then, it turned out to be the best Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. And then also, um, interesting thing is, we are also now known for producing that, uh, uh, one of the top Cabernet Franc, although we don't really bottle them by themselves. So we wanted to create something unique. Um, and, uh, with Heidi and my husband, and we just sort of came up with the idea, to create this blend, at that time was 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Cabernet Sauvignon-
Doug Shafer:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Naoko Dalla Val:
... and then named it Maya. And, uh, we worked on the label because, you know, my husband has that art background too ... and with, uh, graphic, graphic designer. We came up with that label. And, um, you know, first vintage is '88. And in a few years, we got recognized immediately by our friend, um, the very famous wine critic. And then we receive, I think, it's, tha- as a Napa Valley wine, uh, we are the second 100 points, uh, from the Wine Advocate, I guess.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. I think-
Naoko Dalla Val:
It was '92-
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah, yeah. '92 vintage. And, uh, when it came out, um, yeah, that was the year my husband passed away but, at least, Bob was very kind and he sent that Wine Advocate, uh, with FedEx and-
Doug Shafer:
Aww.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... it was a nice note. Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Aww, sweet.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So he knew.
Doug Shafer:
He knew.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. So that there was really ... Yes, he knew. That was great.
Doug Shafer:
Well, it's, uh, it's, uh, always been a fantastic wine to this day, every vintage.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Thank you.
Doug Shafer:
So, and, and, you know, I, it's just so cool. It's so cool to see the length of time and the years and the history. And, and then you mentioned, yeah, '95, we lost Gustav. And so, that was probably, well, obviously a very tough time, but, for you, for personally-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... but for the business, what, what did you do? What, what, how did you, what'd you think about doing with the winery? Um, how'd you decide to carry on?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Well, I got the very good advice, "Don't change for one year." And then also I knew, I don't want to go back to Japan. And then also, the people were so wonderful and, um, I have, uh, lots of challenges, but, uh, um ... And then also, I had to replant my vineyard. That was ahead of me.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So then, the, the Tony, Tony Soter, came in, brought the Mia Klein and Tony, as you may know, he called himself wine grower, not the winemaker.
Doug Shafer:
Yes. Yes.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And he was very helpful in the replanting program and many other things. And then of course, Mia was making wine and, uh, and then also, I had a very loyal crew and a group of friends and, um, you know ... I was really, you know, I was very fortunate. I was very much helped by, supported by those wonderful people. And it was definitely tough- I, I just never even thought of leaving here. It was very, you know, um, it was very rewarding. I really enjoy that at the same time.
Doug Shafer:
That's so good, that's so good to hear.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh, thank you.
Doug Shafer:
... And Tony Soter's name has come up on this podcast many, many times. Um-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Hmm.
Doug Shafer:
... and most of my folks who know me and listen to me know that I think the world of him. He helped us, he helped Elias and me back in '87 for two, about a year and a half or two, and really got us, kind of, on the right path, as far as making top quality wine. And, uh, Mia, who helped Tony for years, wonderful winemaker, and she was a classmate with Elias at UC Davis. So.
Naoko Dalla Val:
That's right. Yes.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. Small-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. I remember that now. Yeah. Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
... small world. Definitely.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
But no, it's, it's great to hear that you had a lot of local support and friends and, and they-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
... were pulling for you. And you had a, a, a little girl-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Thank you.
Doug Shafer:
... who was running around the house, you know, going crazy, right? (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughing).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Oh, yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
I-I agree you quiet said that, but yeah, she, but she was a good girl and, uh, she loved to, to ride horses and that was a very useful tool for me. I had to only say, "If you wanna continue riding, you do this." Right? So, you know-
Doug Shafer:
Very, ah, that's, that's good. Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). That was good leverage.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
I didn't have to do, stay too much, it was very, (laughs), effective.
Doug Shafer:
That does work well. I, I have to confess-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
... I have a, my youngest daughter is also into horses in a big way. And I've, um-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Aww.
Doug Shafer:
... no, I've, I've, I, I don't like to use that card often, but, uh, it works really well if you have to. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Exactly. Right. You don't have to use it too often.
Doug Shafer:
No. Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So I'm sure she's a wonderful, yeah, good girl. (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. No, it's great. Um, very responsible. It's um, it's fun, but she's-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Um, so back to Maya, this is, it's always fun, it's like playing ping pong, going back and forth like this.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
So-
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
... so Maya, you say you worked at crush at Neyers or for a whole, like a season? You, so how'd that work again?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I worked, um, two back-to-back harvest at Neyers.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
And then, in between I worked, um, in the tasting room at Robert Mondavi Winery. So, those kind of pinging back and forth between the two, before I decided, I really wanted to pursue a career in winemaking. And so, I told my mom, "Um, I really love, you know, making wine and I would love to be the winemaker here one day." And she said, "That's nice." And, you know, (laughing), like, "Every other, you know, even the interns that we take care of, they all have an Oenology degree, so you're going to have to earn it as well, if, if you want a spot here."
Doug Shafer:
Way to go, mom. I like that.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughing).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Tough love.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And I meant it too.
Doug Shafer:
Of co- yeah. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
I had a similar conversation with my father one time. He said, "Come on back to Napa, but I don't have a job for you." He was like, actually I looked at him and said, "I don't wanna work for you anyway." So, we got along really well.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughing).
Doug Shafer:
I was a little older though.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
So, okay. So-
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
... you had to earn. So h- so how do you earn it? What do you do?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I made the decision to go back to school. So I had to take all the prerequisites for, to apply for a master's degree, um, in viticulture and oenology. And I ended up going to Cornell, on the East Coast because, I wanted to see what it was like to grow grapes and make wine in an extreme climate. Um, so I would never complain about making wine in Napa again. (laughing).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Uh, so I did, I did my masters there and completed it in 2013 ... and then decided to start, you know, building experience, um, and have, take the opportunity to travel and, and work in other, in other wineries and wine regions. So ... that's ... yeah. That's when I went to Ornellaia in 2013, it was my first international harvest.
Doug Shafer:
Wow.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
That must have been fun. Well, just Tuscany period, you know?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. It's a beautiful place and it's, uh, I mean, the wines are amazing and it was my first experience working in a, uh, a larger scale winery, than what I was used to. And, um, seeing quality wine made on a, you know, very organized and a much larger scale, is really impressive. I really got to know the team very well there, and, uh, it was a really fabulous experience.
Doug Shafer:
Well, you know, I'm, I'm jealous because, I keep running into folks like you've done that and I've never had that experience. Maybe I'll take a sabbatical and go work, crush, (laughs), somewhere else-
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). You should.
Doug Shafer:
.. sometime.
Maya Dalla Vall:
You should.
Doug Shafer:
It maybe really fun. I'd love that.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
But I gotta-
Maya Dalla Vall:
It's a great workout. (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
I have to interr- ... It is. I have to interrupt quickly because, uh, Naoko, you probably don't know, but my father went to Cornell, John Shafer. And, uh, he had 17 grandkids and he tried to get somebody to go to Cornell and no one ever bit.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
So Maya, thanks for going there for him. I appreciate.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). I know.
Doug Shafer:
(laughing).
Maya Dalla Vall:
And, you know- and he alw- he always remi- always loved to talk about Cornell with me-
Doug Shafer:
Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
... and I really, I really cherish those moments 'cause yeah, he was so proud, (laughs)-
Doug Shafer:
That's good. Well, yeah, he-
Maya Dalla Vall:
... that I had gone there. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. Well, he was like, "Yeah, none of my, none of my own grandkids went, ga- darn it!"
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
It was very funny.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
It's really cold. The winters are brutal. (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Well, it's c- ... Yeah, and it's dark, right?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
I mean, it's dark like-
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah, it's dark.
Doug Shafer:
... it's dark.
Maya Dalla Vall:
It's really dark and very cold.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs). Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Like, really cold.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. Very cold. (laughing).
Doug Shafer:
Oh. But what I, you know, how thoughtful to go say, "You know, I'm gonna go make gra- grapes and wine in an extreme area." Because, in Napa Valley, I mean, we've got it made here with the weather. So to-
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... have that experience is great, to have that under your belt. Because, you just see more things that can happen. So you're ready when it happens here. It's nice.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Exactly. You're exposed to so many different pests and mildews and disease, (laughs), and-
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Maya Dalla Vall:
... challenges that you wouldn't normally see, um, in a typical year or growing season in Napa Valley. So, it was, it was very invaluable in that sense.
Doug Shafer:
Smart. Smart.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
And then, after Ornellaia, you went some oth- you worked other places internationally, I think. Yeah?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yes. So after Ornellaia, I went, um, to work at Michel Rolland's winery in Argentina, um, outside of Mend- Mendosa. So it's called Clos de los Siete and his winery inside of the Clos, is called Bodega Rolland.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I worked, uh, yeah, Southern Hemisphere vintage there. Um, I've never worked so hard in my life. (laughs). It was, it was a lot of physical work. Um, but it's one of the most incredible places, um, in the world, I think. They just having the Andes as a backdrop and just to see, Malbec doesn't grow anywhere else really, like it does there, so it was pretty special to experience that. Um, and then I was ready to come back actually to Napa, and, uh, a friend, uh, a family friend said to us, "You know, you should really, uh, uh, do an experience in Bordeaux. I think that, it would be very, um, important for your career." And I've kind of thought, "Well …” I had never been to Bordeaux-
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Maya Dalla Vall:
... um, and I didn't, I, you know, I knew the wines, but, I was ready to just keep pursuing my career in Napa Valley. So, I decided, "Okay. Um ... I just gave him my CV and he then came back two weeks later and said, "Okay, um, Patreus will take you, will you, will you go work there?" I said, "Absolutely. I will not say no to that."
Doug Shafer:
(laughs). Yeah, yeah. (laughing). Uh-huh(affirmative). Cool.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So, um, yeah, I, so then I decided, you know, okay, I'll do this. So I went to work there and worked harvest at Patreus in 2014. And it was absolutely incredible and the people who work there and the vineyard and the wines are out of this world. Um, and then I ended up staying in Porto, (laughs), for three years after that. So, I ended up, I, I just fell in love with the region and, and the people and the culture. And I did a second masters there as well.
Doug Shafer:
Wow.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Um, yeah. At the, uh, Bordeaux Science Agro in, uh, Vineyard and Winery Management.
Doug Shafer:
That's so cool.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
I'm curious about, you've had these experiences at, Ornellaia and Petrus and, you know, in Argentina, as a intern working crush, what are the, you know, do you, they just make you do all the grunt work, cleaning and rolling barrels and filling barrels and washing tanks, or do you get to actually have some experience, you know, sampling grapes, making wi- you know, wine decisions, additions, that type of thing? What, how does that usually work?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. It's a little bit of everything. I mean, it depends on the, the size of the winery. Um, at a smaller winery, you obviously carry a more responsibility because there's less people. And, I think you, they rely on you to be more multi-tasking. Um, and then, in larger wineries, um, it can be doing more things like, more lab work and grape sampling. Um, and then ... Yeah. But, in every place is definitely a lot of cleaning.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
I tell every person, (laughs), who applies to be an intern with us, I say, "Look, it's, you know, it's a lot of cleaning." Like, you clean a lot and, it's, you spend a lot of time being wet and your shoes are wet. But, they, you also, the trade-off is getting to have those one-on-one time and, uh, conversations with these great winemakers and people who have worked in the, these vineyards for so long and can really share a wealth of knowledge that you wouldn't otherwise be able to experience from, from reading a book per se, or taking a class. So, I think that's, that's really the trade-off and getting to see the transformation from the vineyard to the glass and getting to experience the, you know, the ma- you know, what the magic of, of making wine.
Doug Shafer:
Right. Right. And, uh, the old rubber boot thing. I remember when I first started out working in cellars and even as a winemaker, I mean, it was like a badge of honor to be, you know, have those rubber boots, you know? So you'd like, go to town and do an errand or get a sandwich and you'd keep those boots on. 'Cause you're like, um, you know, "I work in a cellar, I got the rubber boots on." And then after a few years, it's like, you have to go in to a harvest with the, the wet and you, you know, when you take those boots off at night, your feet, you know, are shriveled up and they're falling apart.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
And, you know, and toes, and toes almost falling off. It's like, "Man, I'm gonna minimize the time I have to wear these boots, you know? And put my-
Maya Dalla Vall:
I know.
Doug Shafer:
... sore." But, uh, it's pretty funny.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Oh, has that flashed on that one? I remember one ni-
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
... night, I think it was, you know, two in the morning, I'm home taking my boots off, out in the back door and, you know, I know, I knew I'd gotten water in my boot, my skin, you know, my, my sock was wet and all that, but no, sure enough, I'd pull it out and it's like, I had a purple foot. I had a bunch of grape juice in there. So it was like, "Wow, it finally happened. I've got purple feet." (laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). Purple feet. Yeah. It's not, it's not a myth.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
No. So, after those experiences, you come back, um, so when did you come back to the Napa Valley?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So I moved back, um, in the beginning of 2017.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So that was a, um, pretty memorable year for sure.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Um, and that was my first full growing season at the, at the winery, um, working, working for my mom. So, from the-
Doug Shafer:
Oh, she, she took you ba- she took you back? Naoko, uh, so, was she, was she-
Maya Dalla Vall:
She took me back. Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs). I have no choice.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. Yeah. Was she ready to-to have, to have an interview or something?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Well, uh, uh-
Maya Dalla Vall:
That's a great question. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
No, I ask it to do all things and then I didn't ask her to get the two masters, so.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
And she went to Ornellaia and, uh, Petrus, Chateau Latour and, uh, all those places. What can they do? I have to take her back. (laughing).
Doug Shafer:
I th- uh, I think she kind of earned it like big time. So-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
... that's-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. Yeah, she did.
Doug Shafer:
... that's great.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah, absolutely. Mm-hmm(affirmative). Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. My mom said, "Please, don't be too hard on me now." (laughs). She's like, "Now you're overqualified. So you need to come back." (laughing).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. Yes. Yeah. I, yeah. Overqualified was the, uh, the word I used. (laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
That's great. Yeah. That's great.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So yeah, I came back to work with, for my mom at the, at the property. Um, and so, yeah, it was really exciting. We were building the new barrel building. Um, and that was where my office is as well now. And, um, yeah, uh, finally out of the drought and then, yeah. It was like really, um, extreme year. I mean, if the summer was super hot and then, and then, the fall, of course, we all remembered the fires in, beginning of October.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So, but we, you know, we, we did it, we made it through and it was, uh, yeah, a year I'll never forget.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Um, and then, we've been working together ever since then.
Doug Shafer:
And, and you've, we've got some news, Naoko you wanna tell us the news? Just, just it was released, uh, recently, that you have a new title.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Competition.
Doug Shafer:
Maya, Maya has a-
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
All right. Yes.
Doug Shafer:
... Maya has a new title.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Oh, yeah?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah. Now, now that the starting this year, yes, Maya is, that, uh, Dalla Valle's winemaker and the director. Yes-
Doug Shafer:
Wow!
Naoko Dalla Val:
... she, she got that. She earned it.
Doug Shafer:
Congratulations. That's so cool. Congratulations.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
Way to go.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Thank you. (laughs). Thank you. It feels good.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. Now you're in for it though. That's okay. (laughing).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Oh, yeah.
Doug Shafer:
No, no, I'm teasing, I'm teasing, teasing.
Maya Dalla Vall:
I'm ready.
Doug Shafer:
It's great being a winemaker.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
And speaking of winemakers, do you guys still have ... You've had different people consult through the years. I think Andy Erickson is still working with you guys. Is that correct?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh yes. Absolutely.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
Good.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. He is.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. I've, I've gotten to know him. We're both on the Vintner board right now and he, what a great guy.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh my-
Doug Shafer:
Great guy. We've had some wonderful chats.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah, he is.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. Yeah, we have, we really enjoy working with him and, um, he's really helped me a lot as well in my journey to, to where I am today. So, I'm very thankful for that.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
And tell, and tell me about the property today. You've got, how many acres and grapes up there?
Maya Dalla Vall:
So we have 20 acres of grapes.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Uh, it's a 26 acre property. So not everything is, is under vine. We have a little orchard and a, a big garden. And, of course, my mom's house is here. Um, in addition to the winery.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So, all, all in one place.
Doug Shafer:
Okay. And, uh, production? Some people might not know about the wines you guys make. Could you run through what you guys make? The different, uh, different f- different, uh, brands, labels.
Naoko Dalla Val:
We make, we make Maya as a top wine and the Cabernet Sauvignon in close second.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And we make Coll- We make Collina Dalla Valle, which is a little bit more easy access to wine.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And, uh, yeah. And that's, those are the three wines. And we make other wines not every year, but, uh, it's called MDV. So that's a, that's 100% Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon. Because we always blend our wines, but that one is, just 100%.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. I'm not too fami- I'm not too familiar with MDV. Tell me about that a little bit. What's that? What's the story there?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Well, the story is, actually, um, th- the, I have a very good friend who visits, um, before, at that time, he was living in Shanghai, and, uh, he, he loves wine. He's a collector. And, uh, I just really felt like I run out of the wine to taste. And then I found this bottle of wine, '99 MDV, which actually we donated at the barrel auction, at the Auction Napa Valley, long time ago.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And then I, we opened it and this, and then that was like, oh, maybe 10 years ago. And then, I thought, "Oh, Oh, this is holding up really well. And, uh, this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and, and we never really do this. But, this come from Maya's Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard." So maybe we should do that." And then we started making in, uh, 2013, is the first vintage. And, uh, we, since then we haven't done '16 and '18, so we don't do every year. Also because, this comes from Maya's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, so we don't wanna take too much. So we just make few barrels and just for fun.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. I like to make wines for fun sometimes. So this, best idea. Best idea.
Doug Shafer:
Me too. You know, I wanna make wine in my garage, I've never done that.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
I t- I wanna make-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh.
Doug Shafer:
... I wanna be like, "One barrel in my garage, homemade wine." Infa-
Naoko Dalla Val:
I would recommend that because we started that way with Gustav and we have a very f-
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
... very funny video. I shouldn't even mention what's in it. (laughing).
Doug Shafer:
No, go ahead. Tell me about that.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Doug Shafer:
What happened?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh, no. I mean the, the, so we had the, like Trudy in the garage in a car port to here making wine.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
I mean, not the commercial wine, of course.
Doug Shafer:
Sure.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So then, that, uh, oh, we had this big half open-
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
... um, cask, you know, with that, uh, Pinot Noir.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
You know, we have, uh, we had, we are, we are literally stumping grapes, to make wine. And then, this one particular video is ... Actually, probably I shouldn't have said this. Maybe I'll, well, okay, I'll tell you now.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
But, um, so-
Maya Dalla Vall:
You're already too far in to it. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. So far into it. So, so, of course ... I mean, Gustav was such a colorful man, funny man-
Doug Shafer:
Yes.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... so he, he was ta- taking video. And that, that was a day of bottling.
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And, uh, it's the bottling, right? But it's just a little, those three bottle fillers, all manual, right?
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And then he, we have filling and then he over fill it. And then, he just-
Doug Shafer:
He just-
Naoko Dalla Val:
... he just, he just drinked all the wine out of the bottle.
Doug Shafer:
Of course he did. (laughing).
Naoko Dalla Val:
And he said, "These wines are so good that those that individually tasted."
Doug Shafer:
(laughing). I can see him doing it.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Quality control.
Naoko Dalla Val:
I mean, it's a horri-
Doug Shafer:
I can, you know, I-I-I-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. It's horrifying story.
Doug Shafer:
... I ... No, it's not. It's total, I get it.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
I, I totally get that. I'm not going to dump it on the floor, I'm gonna just take a little swig and make room enough for the cork.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Um, oh, I-
Naoko Dalla Val:
And, yes. That was-
Doug Shafer:
... I, I-
Naoko Dalla Val:
... that was fun, I recommend it. (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Well, well, I remember, um, coming home from college and dad was like, he was making this ... He made some '77 Cabernet. Our first commercial wine was a ‘78.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Hmm.
Doug Shafer:
He dragged me down to this little basement in this little funky house we were living in, on the ranch here. And he had, you know, these five or six, you know, glass, five gallon, Demijohns, you know, of wine. And he had a little thief, he pulled it out. He was so proud of it. And, you know, it's, I've got a picture on ... So, there's a picture of, you know, historic pictures here in the winery in one place, and, uh, there's a picture of him doing that. And then, uh, when we were cleaning out his wine cellar, a couple of years, I found this bottle ... You got to love this, Naoko.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
It was a bottle of Robert Mondavi, red table wine. Like-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh.
Doug Shafer:
... and there was no date on it. It was really old. And then the corner, and written in ballpoint pen, in the corner of the label, was, was Upper, U7, which stands for Upper seven, that was his first Cabernet, Hillside fingered.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
U7, 1977 CS.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh.
Doug Shafer:
So basically what he did was, he bottled his, (laughs) ... So he took a bunch of old Mondavi, red table wine bottles, and, (laughing), and he probably, hopefully washed them out a little bit.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
And then he, um, he filled them up with his ‘77 homemade wine. So, uh-
Maya Dalla Vall:
That's amazing.
Doug Shafer:
... we found, we found that one bottle. It's a pretty cool and fun, not sure what we're going to do with it.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Doug Shafer:
But, it's, it's-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Aww, that's, that's really cool.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. It's really neat.
Doug Shafer:
But, moving ahead, you know, we had the announcement of the new winemaker there, Maya, congratulations again.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). Thank you.
Doug Shafer:
But, like literally, two days ago, I'm like going, "Oh, this is good timing, another announcement comes out."
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughing).
Doug Shafer:
So, you two wanna tell us all ... You need to tell the world about this. What's going on?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. So, um, after working at Ornellaia in 2013, uh, I've just continued onwards, um, but we kept a friendly, you know, relationship and contact, uh, with the team. And, and my mom was already friends, um, with the team at Ornellaia before I had worked harvest there, as well. Um, and so, they approached us in 2015 about working together and doing a project together in, in Napa. So, um, at first I think my mom was a little bit hesitant, but then we talked about it and, um, decided that we would, we would give it a try and go for it. And we, I actually worked with Axel as my, um, advisor and mentor for my thesis when I was in Bordeaux. Um, because he actually went to the same school as I, as I wa- was at, in Bordeaux. So, uh, he helped me get through my, you know, do my thesis and complete my master's. And then, uh, in '17 we started selecting sites and then making wine.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So we actually have-
Doug Shafer:
Wow.
Maya Dalla Vall:
... it's funny, (laughs), to talk about something that you already made four vintages of, um, and keeping quiet-
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
... (laughs), or so long. But-
Doug Shafer:
Okay. Yeah. Good secret. I like that.
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs). Yeah. So it's, uh, it's great to finally be able to talk about the collaboration with Ornellaia. It's called DVO-
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Maya Dalla Vall:
... and it's a Cabernet Sauvignon wine, um, that we do add a little bit of Cab Franc as well, to blend it. And, uh, we're releasing the first vintage of, of 2018 this year. So, uh, we're very excited to be able to share this wine.
Doug Shafer:
Very exciting.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
And the grapes come, uh, the grapes from your place up on the Hill or are they different, other locations?
Naoko Dalla Val:
No, no, no.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
No. (laughing).
Doug Shafer:
Oh.
Naoko Dalla Val:
That was very clear in the very beginning, it's not gonna be coming from my, yeah, our vineyard. (laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
No, it's from site that we selected. Yeah. (laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
It's from -
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
So we selected sites together, that we wanted to reflect a little bit of a, more restrained style of wine making.
Doug Shafer:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Maya Dalla Vall:
So we picked cooler more mountainous sites, um, in Oakville, Mount Veeder and Coombsville and work with selected sites there and, uh, blend together, um ... We work, we both work with Michel Rolland for Ornellaia and Dalla Valle-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right.
Maya Dalla Vall:
... and so he, M-Michele also helps us in creating the blend.
Doug Shafer:
How exciting and, I mean, it must have been tough to keep that secret for four years. That would be crazy. But-
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah. It was really difficult. People were asking, "Oh, what are you gonna do with these grapes?" And I say, "Oh, I'm just working on my own personal project,"
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
That's right. Yes. Yeah. We, I have to make sure that it was not waiting, for the Dalla Valle. So, yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Good. I'm glad you kept that straight.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Um, so you guys working together, family business, um, what, what, in your, both of your opinions, what makes it work? What makes it sucst- succeed? How's, how's that happened?
Naoko Dalla Val:
Well, so probably, the, the, one of the best thing is, we are in a different buildings. (laughing). My office in the, the older part, Ma-Maya's in the new part. But anyway, joking aside, I think we both have the passion for wine. Um, wine-making. And, uh, also, you know, even when she was young, and she may not agree with me, but I always respected her in her own way. So, you know, so, I think that the mutual respect helps as well. And, of course, this Japanese very polite way of bringing up kids.
Doug Shafer:
Right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. So I don't know, Maya may have a completely different opinion.
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
But Maya, what do you think? (laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Um, I mean, yeah, I, I agree. Um, it is important to have mutual respect. I think it's also important to always keep an open dialogue and an open mind. Um, my mom has been very open-minded with a lot of different ideas that I've brought back, um, when, from my travels and, and experiences working in other regions and other wineries. And so, like things like, adding, you know, starting to farm bio-dynamically, um, she came on board with, after some convincing. But, she a- you know, she was always open-minded, but she always, you know, wants things to align, you know, with the vision that we have.
Naoko Dalla Val:
So, we, were already organically farming, so.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Right. So, we just wanted to be sure that, you know, this was the logical next move for us and, and what we wanted to do. Um, and also, it helps having a really simple hierarchy. There's only two of us, (laughing), so it's, there's really no, no doubt and questioning about who is, who's the head.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
So, you know, as long as-
Doug Shafer:
Oh, I've-
Maya Dalla Vall:
... I think, yeah, as you probably know.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes, per now. (laughs).
Doug Shafer:
Yeah, I got that lo-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Per now.
Doug Shafer:
... I got that loud and clear today. That's coming through strong.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Oh, yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
(laughs).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Uh-huh(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
Um, well, you guys, and, you know, I just, I flashed on Gustav. I mean, he would just be so happy, you know? And proud isn't the word, pr- of course he'd be proud, but he'd just be able to be, he'd just be so happy and that's, um-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh, thank you.
Doug Shafer:
... I just think that's really neat. I just think that's really neat.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Thank you.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. Thank you very much.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Do you, do you guys feel his presence in the wines still? Do you think there's a part of that still carrying on?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Absolutely.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah, sure.
Maya Dalla Vall:
I mean, there's a really special feeling and energy to this place and, I think, uh, for me personally, you know, as I becoming an adult, you start to see, realize, you know, I'm an only child and if I don't take on this opportunity, then, eventually it will be sold. And then it will ... You know, this place has a lot of sentimental value for, for me, it's where I grew up. Um, you know, it's what my, something my parents started together.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
And even though my father is no longer with us, it's, uh, yeah, it's still, he's still, you could still very much feel his presence here.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah. We built this place together, basically. So every corner of the property, you know, that, yeah, have a memory. And, uh, yeah, it's, it's a very special place.
Doug Shafer:
No, I, I, I totally understand. I've got this similar thing with my dad, you know, walking around this property.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
You know, especially at harvest-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... from out sampling, it's really hits you in the s- sampling in the morning, you know, before the sun comes up.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Oh, sure.
Doug Shafer:
You know, 'cause we used to sample together, you know, all the time.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Maya Dalla Vall:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
So those are the, those are the knots. But it's all good, right?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
It's not, it's not a sad thing. It's a, it's a, it's a good thing.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Doug Shafer:
So, it carries on.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
Yeah. But you guys, thanks for sharing that. Um, if p-people want to find your wines, where should they go? What's the best way to find your wines?
Maya Dalla Vall:
Mom?
Doug Shafer:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Well, oh so we have a ma- ...
Maya Dalla Vall:
(laughs).
Naoko Dalla Val:
... Well, of course mailing list, (laughs), they're welcomed to signed up. And, uh, yeah. Other than that, our wines are distributed, you know, all over United States. Not in all States, because we are very small.
Doug Shafer:
Right, right.
Naoko Dalla Val:
And, uh, um, also ... Yeah. In the Asia and in Europe globally. So, uh, yeah, you can find out wine, I mean, locally too, they, they carry our wine here in Napa Valley and uh ... Yeah. So.
Doug Shafer:
Great. Good.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes. Yeah. And then, if there's any, yeah, any questions, you know, they're welcome to contact the winery and then we can-
Doug Shafer:
Okay.
Naoko Dalla Val:
... you know, answer the questions. Yes.
Doug Shafer:
And what's, what's your website, while we're on?
Maya Dalla Vall:
It's Dallavallevineyards.com.
Doug Shafer:
Perfect. That's easy. Yeah.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yes.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Mm-hmm(affirmative).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Yeah. D-A-L-L-A V-A-L-L-E.
Doug Shafer:
All right. Well you guys, thanks again for taking the time, this has been really, really fun. And it's fun to get, (laughs), the two of you together and hear the back and forth. (laughing).
Naoko Dalla Val:
Thank you.
Doug Shafer:
It brings back, I just love it. So it's like, good old family stuff. But, uh-
Maya Dalla Vall:
Oh yeah.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Thank you. Yeah.
Doug Shafer:
... so, thanks for the time. And, uh, hope to see you around and things are getting better.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Likewise.
Doug Shafer:
So hopefully we'll be a-
Naoko Dalla Val:
Right.
Doug Shafer:
... able to see each other at restaurants soon. So, take care and good luck.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Let's hope so.
Doug Shafer:
Thanks for everything.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Thank you so much.
Maya Dalla Vall:
Thank you.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Same to you.
Doug Shafer:
All right. See, you guys.
Naoko Dalla Val:
Okay. Bye-bye.