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Founded in 1986 by Delia Viader, VIADER is located 1200 feet above the Napa Valley floor just northeast of St. Helena on the steep, rocky slopes of Howell Mountain. Emulating a European design quite rare in California, the vines are oriented up and down the steep hillsides, a planting method that optimizes sun exposure, vine density and erosion control. Planting on such a steep grade of 32 % is a challenge and requires meticulous hand farming.
The first VIADER wine was produced in 1989 and with that vintage a proprietary estate blend was established that features Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon as its base element. At the time, this blend was a daring diversion from other Cabernet-based wines being made in Napa Valley. This blend has come to be the signature wine from VIADER.
Over the years, the winery has grown to include an estate Syrah and a Petit Verdot Blend labeled "V." The “V” is a reserve Bordeaux-style blend featuring Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon fromt the VIADER estate. The DARE line features three distinct wines – 100% Cabernet Franc, 100% Tempranillo, and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – incorporating fruit from selected vineyards.
Born in Argentina, Proprietor Delia Viader spent much of her formative years in Europe and especially in France. She developed an international approach to business and a long range vision of success. Delia came to the United States as a post-graduate student and earned her PhD. 
While raising four children on her own, Delia forged
the vision and design for this unique estate vineyard property, wine blend and brand.
Because of Delia’s dedication, persistence and attention to high ideals, VIADER was recognized early on as a first growth property and the wines have been highly coveted since inception. In the last few years, Delia’s children have come back to help manage and operate the business making this a true family concern. Alan Viader is Direction of Operations and Winemaking, Janet Viader is Director of Marketing and Sales. Mariela Viader (married to Alan) is in charge of the Culinary Program. In the winter of 2006, Michel Rolland, the world-renowned enologist, and family friend, was brought on as a winemaking consultant.
Delia has earned the reputation as a pioneer for planting the vines running directly down the mountain, in a style normally found in Bordeaux. After receiving initial cirticism, eventually Delia’s vineyards on Howell Mountain were regarded as an ideal model for growing super-premium quality grapes. The original focus on Cabernet Franc as the main blending component, thought to be radical upon release, was a natural harkening back to Delia’s European roots and her love of Cheval Blanc. The idea of a single woman running a successful winery business while raising a family of four children on her own was a rare happening in Napa Valley’s developing fine wine business in the late ‘80’s.
Over the years, Delia has remained true to her vision. Today Viader Vineyards is a thriving family business producing world-class wines from a magnificent, mature estate vineyard property complete with small bonded winery, underground caves, and a Hospitality Center which offers tours and tastings by appointment and a sophisticated wine and food pairing Culinary Program.
Argentine born Delia Viader came to the United States as a post-graduate college student. Even before establishing VIADER, Delia Viader found she was decidedly more attracted to Old World wines. She was particularly impressed by the wines of Chateau Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion, from which she based the idea for her first blend, the 1989 VIADER (40% cabernet franc, 60% cabernet sauvignon). Always "daring to be different," Delia decided to bring the Bordeaux style of winemaking and vineyard cultivation to the California hillside by planting the vines in rows going up and down the mountain, following the path of the afternoon sun down the steep slopes of 
Howell Mountain. At the time, she met against strong opposition and criticism for planting her vines in this way, simply due to the fact that it had never been done before. However, soon after successfully releasing her first vintage, it was clear that her efforts to develop the vineyard were worthwhile. With optimal sun exposure, and unique soil that allows for natural drainage, the vines struggle to survive in the rocky terroir and produce fruit of exceptional quality.
Delia's story illustrates the importance of education and understanding coupled with following one's instincts. VIADER Winery and her wines have consistently reflected these strengths.
Since childhood, Alan has assisted in the vineyards at VIADER, primarily working during his summer vacation. Today he looks back fondly on those early summer mornings when he was responsible for manually clearing the piles of rocks from between the rows to allow the tractor to pass… In college, he formally pursued his interest in viticulture with a hands-on program in Sonoma and he learned the fundamentals of winemaking at UC Davis. There, he accumulated more knowledge and respect for the organic farming principles he grew up with at VIADER. Alan also spearheaded the biodynamic project with consultant Phillipe Armenier, integrating the biodynamic calendar and several herbal treatments to the vines and in the cellar with fervor. Alan has been managing the VIADER vineyards
since 2002, but has worked in all areas of wine production, and also national sales. In 2005, looking to gain more winery experience, Alan worked the harvest in Mendoza, Argentina 
with close friends Manuel Ferrer Minettti and Santiago Achaval from Bodega Achaval-Ferrer. While in Argentina, he was picking fruit from hundred-year-old Malbec vines, and soon after, out of his appreciation for the Bordeaux varietal, he installed 174
vines of Malbec at VIADER to have “something to play with.” The following year in 2006, Alan started dedicating his time to both vineyard management and winemaking, and would later become the Director of Operations, responsible for the 2005 wines at VIADER. As Delia's right-hand, Alan has the opportunity of overseeing production from start to finish. And having inherited his mother’s passion for winemaking and expressing the terroir, Alan is looking forward to many exciting vintages in the family business.
Delia Viader, Alan Viader, Dany Rolland (Michel's wife) Rolland works with two other independent consultants, Athanase Fakorellis and Pascal Chatonnet. His wife Dany runs the company laboratory and many aspects of the family wineries, Chateaux Le Bon Pasteur, Fontenil in Fronsac and La Grande Clotte in Lussac. |
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Janet, Alan, Mariela and Delia Viader |
Janet ViaderJanet 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 from a very early age and has witnessed firsthand the growth of the business and brand. Throughout high school, Janet spent summers working in the winery office and hosting winery tours. While in college, she represented VIADER at special events in Europe and across the United States. In 2004, Janet received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in Political Science after a year long student exchange at Sciences Po University in Paris, France. Janet has spent time in Burgundy, Bordeaux and Tuscany improving her wine education, language skills and wine tasting palate. After graduation, she dedicated six months to a political research project in Argentina, where most of her family resides and where she immersed herself in the Mendoza wine region. She then spent a year working in the non-profit sector back home in Napa, providing legal services to low-income families, seniors and immigrants. In January 2007, Janet joined the family business as the director of sales and marketing for the United States and Canada. She also serves on the Board of of "NG: The Next Generation in Wine," a collaborative marketing group of second generation family winemakers.
Mariela was born Mariela de la Cerda, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Mariela has always shown a passion for cooking, and was professionally-trained at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mariela met Alan Viader in July, 2004 and they were married July 8, 2006. 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.
Paul Viader
Alex ViaderAlex Viader is the youngest of the Viaders. His earliest experiences with wine involve his mother dipping his pacifier in red wine at dinner. At six, he started traveling with Delia to the vineyards in Tuscany. Alex helps the family business during harvest and bottling. He plays both lacrosse and soccer at school.
The Pets |
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| Holly Viader | Kodiak Viader |
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| Emma Viader | Lady Viader |
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| Nikki Viader | The Pet Gang |
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Delia, Janet, Alan, Mariela Viader, Valaree Martinez, Blanca Avina, Cante Swearingen (and dogs Lady and Kody) |
Cante Swearingen
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
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.” During her time in Napa, she met her husband, Edgar Humberto Martinez to whom she has been happily married one year since May (and counting!). After almost a year with the restaurant, covering any and all “front of the house” positions, Valaree learned of an opportunity at VIADER and decided to apply for the position, at the suggestion of Janet Viader who was also working weekend nights at the restaurant. 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
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.
Born in Gallinas, in Michoacán Mexico, Maurilio has been with VIADER f
ull 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.
Gabino Martinez HernandezGabino 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.
Planted on the lower reaches of Howell Mountain at 1200 ft elevation, the soil for the vineyard at VIADER is mainly the rocky remnants of this former volcano. The volcanic loamy soils offer superior drainage for each of the VIADER estate varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. The lack of topsoil stresses the plant and forces the grapevine to concentrate all of its resources into the production of the fruit.
The Vineyard was planted in order to best represent the distinctiveness of this incredibly challenging terroir. The vine rows are orientated East/West, running down a steep 32º slope. These characteristics give the optimum conditions for the ripening of the fruit. The afternoon sun shines directly over the top of the canopy of the grapevines, which filters the light and prevents the grapes from receiving direct sunlight which can damage the fruit. In addition, the mountain breezes can easily flow between the rows, which are positioned up and down the mountain, as opposed to the traditional method of close-to-contour terracing. This is especially important in the hot months before harvest, and during the last months of winter, when temperatures drop and there is threat of frost. Moreover, the volcanic rock component in the ground absorbs the heat, and releases it after sunset. Spacing in the VIADER vineyard is 2,200 vines per acre, planted every 5' x 4' -- approximately four times the average planting density.
Furthermore, VIADER prides itself in producing wines that are organically grown, hand-farmed, with very low yields per acre. Average yields are fewer than 3 tons per acre.