Viader
Delia Viader
Owner/Winemaker
Argentine-born Delia Viader came to the United States as a post-graduate college student in the 1980s. She holds a doctorate in Philosophy from the Sorbonne University in Paris, France and pursuedadvanced business Studies at three American universities. At the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Delia studied Executive Programs in Financial Management, Corporate Strategy and Negotiation. She then moved to California and at the University of California Berkeley studied Financial Management, Corporate Market-Focused Organizations and Masters Program in Business Administration. Delia has four children ranging in age from 13 to 28 year of age, and even with the great feat of raising a family, has also managed to create a successful vineyard and winery. Delia’s family and fascination with fine wines has been her primary motivation for starting her beautiful winery overlooking the Napa Valley. After founding VIADER in 1986, Delia pursued programs in Enology and Viticulture offered at University of California Davis to better learn the practical theory behind making fine wine.
Alan Viader
Director of Operations
Having spent his childhood on the VIADER Estate, his love for this unique terroir is augmented by the academic knowledge he received during his four years in college. Alan has visited the many wine regions in France, and he also gained incredible experience by working a harvest with the producers of Achaval-Ferrer in Mendoza, Argentina, in February 2005. Today, as Delia's right-hand, Alan has the opportunity of overseeing production of Viader wines from start to finish. Alan has been managing the vineyards at VIADER since 2002, but has worked in all areas of the cellar and the vineyards. As the Director of Operations at Viader, Alan has now moved into the position of winemaking, while he continues to closely supervise the projects in the vineyard. Alan and Delia make the winemaking decisions together, such as when to rack, and which barrel lots to blend together and when. Each brings his own ideas to the table, but because their core values are in sync, they make a wonderful family winemaking team.
Janet Viader
Sales and Marketing
Janet Viader grew up in the Napa Valley on the vineyards of VIADER which was founded in 1986 by her mother, Delia Viader. Janet has been involved in the family business since a very early age and has witnessed firsthand the growth of the business and brand. Janet completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley and Sciences Po University in Paris, France. She has spent time in the wine regions of western Europe, Argentina, and back home in the Pacific Northwest improving her wine education, language skills and palate. Before officially joining the family business, she dedicated six months to a political research project in Argentina, where most of her family resides. She then spent a year working at Napa Legal Aid, providing free legal services to low-income families, seniors and immigrants. In January 2007, Janet joined the family business as the director of sales and marketing. She currently serves on the Board of "NG: The Next Generation in Wine," a collaborative marketing group of second generation family winemakers. Janet is also one of the youngest Board Directors elected to represent the Napa Vintners Association, the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation with a membership nearing 400 Napa Valley wineries.
Mariela ViaderExecutive Chef
Mariela was born Mariela de la Cerda, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Mariela and VIADER's winemaker, Alan Viader, were married in 2006. Mariela has always shown a passion for cooking, and was professionally-trained at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon (Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts). After finishing her studies she pursued her dream of being a chef and was contracted as an intern at Bouchon in Yountville, a sister restaurant of Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in the heart of Napa Valley. Upon completing her internship at Bouchon, she was curious to explore other types of cuisine, and started working at Chef Hiro Sone’s Asian-inspired restaurant Terra in St. Helena. Simultaneously, Mariela cooked at Redd restaurant, under Chef Richard Reddington, formerly of Auberge du Soleil. Proving herself as a talented chef she was given an opportunity to help test and develop recipes for a number of cookbooks. In late 2006, she decided to leave the restaurant world to pursue a career as a private chef found herself cooking events all over the Napa Valley. Currently, she actively participates in the family business, as Director of the Culinary Program at VIADER, happily preparing anything from hors-d’oeuvres, to casual picnics, lunches and elegant 3- to 5-course dinners for our guests. With her own organic vegetable garden on the VIADER estate, and another in her own backyard, Mariela always uses the most fresh and seasonal organic produce for all her wine-pairing dishes
Cante Swearingen
Hospitality Director
Cante Swearingen was born at the St. Helena Hospital just about 2 miles from VIADER. He grew up in the Napa Valley, and used to ride the school bus with Alan, Janet and Paul. He first got involved with fine wine and food doing sales with Chef Michael Chiarello. He also worked in a small family winery as Tasting Room Manager, where he was often called upon to help with winemaking in the cellar when customers were not tasting wines. Cante then spent eight years at Mumm Napa where he was managing the tasting room employees and operations while also happily waiting on over 100,000 guests per year. Cante's first day at VIADER was September 13, 2006 single-handedly running the Hospitality Program, and he has successfully coordinated with Mariela and her Culinary Program. For any wine tastings or special events, Cante is the best contact. He prides himself on having many satisfied customers who he likes to call: "VIADER Ambassadors." Cante is also a Bocce Ball fanatic, playing every season and recently winning the local Spring League Championship with his team the Hone Dogs. They are one of the most decorated teams in St. Helena Bocce history. Cante is an avid sports fan and also grew up mountain biking around the Napa Valley and could probably tell you a few secret rides around the area, if you ask. We are proud to call Cante a member of the Viader family.
Valaree Martinez
Administrative Assistant
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Valaree Martinez first moved to Napa in August of 2005 seeking a “dramatic” change after high school. Soon after, she found an interest in fine dining facilities and became part of the opening staff for the downtown Napa restaurant called “n.v.” After almost a year with the restaurant, covering any and all “front of the house” positions, Valaree learned of an opportunity at VIADER at the suggestion of Janet Viader, who was also working weekend nights at the restaurant. During her time in Napa, she met her husband, Edgar H. Martinez to whom she has been happily several years and they enjoy raising their young son Noah. Valaree started with VIADER in fall of 2006, and has shown herself to be a hardworking and positive member of the VIADER team.
Blanca Aviña
Shipping Manager & Quality Control
When Blanca first came to work for VIADER, she was not actually involved with the winery operations, although she had previous experience. In 1994, she was hired to help care for Delia’s youngest, Alex Viader, who was less than a year old at the time. Little by little, Blanca started taking on more responsibilities, when she had free time. She started reorganizing the Viader family’s home and the winery office. After seeing at the winery that Delia could not supervise everyone, Blanca offered to assist and teach the labeling and bottling teams. This led to her being offered a full-time position at the winery, doing quality control and also directing the shipping department which sends hundreds of orders each week out of the winery. By this point, Alex was in elementary school with Blanca’s daughter Jessica. The children feel like siblings, and Blanca is actually Alex’s godmother. Blanca came to California from the town of Atachéo, in the state of Michoacán, Mexico in 1991. Although most of her immediate family is in the Napa Valley, she tries to visit her hometown at least once a year, and has even taken Alex there for Christmas! Blanca is a kind and generous friend, loved dearly and appreciated by everyone in the Viader family.
Connie Caven
Brand Ambassador
Maurilio Camarillo Canchola
Cellar Assistant
Born in Gallinas, in Michoacán Mexico, Maurilio has been with VIADER full time since January 2003. His first experience at VIADER was actually in 1997 during the installation of the Syrah vines– a mere 7 acres on one of the steepest locations of the VIADER Estate at 1300 feet. Maurilio was responsible for putting in the row end posts, and worked with such dedication, that Delia offered future employment should the need arise. In 2003, he was hired as an extra hand in the cellar, but is really our extra hand for everything. He and Blanca joke about being the “mil-usos” or “jack of all trades” at VIADER because they participate in every aspect of production as well as shipping. Maurilio is also a fan of Mexican soccer, and supports the Monarcas of Morelia, Michoacán, a team which rivals the famous Chivas.
Starting his day early mornings with his cousin Maurilio, Efrain is responsible for the cellar work, and takes great care with all his tasks in the VIADER cellar. From topping the barrels, to racking, preparing equipment for harvest or bottling, he is a dedicated and detail-oriented member of the winemaking team. Efrain is often heard whistling or singing songs from his native Michoacán, Mexico down in the caves. He moved to Napa Valley fifteen years ago with his family, and soon found that the liked making wine. He was hired as a cellar hand, and Efrain also helps in the vineyard, with the Wine Club and labeling. On his days off, he plays soccer with Maurilio in the Napa Adult Mens Soccer League, and their team often takes first place.
Gabino Martinez Hernandez
Groundskeeper
Gabino was born in Oaxaca, and started at VIADER in 2003 along with his younger brother Anastacio who works with our vineyard crew. Gabino cares for the extensive gardens throughout the property, including Mariela’s organic vegetable garden. Gabino also has an artistic side, creating rock walls, planters and paths out of the endless piles of rocks displaced in the 1980s when the soil was tilled for planting. He also lends a hand to everyone around the property, whether it's the shipping department, the vineyard, or the kitchen. What is also impressive about Gabino is that he knows how to prepare the signature sauce from Oaxaca, a chocolate marinade called mole, and that he never loses his smile.
