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.” 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
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.
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.
Marco Antonio Cruz
Vineyard Foreman
Starting with VIADER in February of 1996 as our vineyard foreman, Marco is in charge of leading the crew in the day-to-day activities: from pruning to spraying to harvest. He works with Alan on following the biodynamic calendar, making sure the generally stressed and thirsty vines get the amount of water they need. Marco has been instructing our crew on hand farming techniques for over 10 years, and can be found going all over the property usually on the 4x4 quad motorcycle. He is also a fan of the Chivas soccer team, and therefore cannot talk soccer with Maurilio, who sides with the rivals, the Monarcas.
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.
Cante Swearingen
Valaree Martinez
Blanca Aviña
Maurilio Camarillo Canchola
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. 
