Renée Ary

Renée Ary, the accomplished winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards, embodies the perfect blend of artistry, science, and profound respect for the viticultural essence of winemaking. Her journey from the East Coast to California, where she earned degrees in chemistry and art at Saint Mary’s College, eventually led her to embrace winemaking as her life’s passion.

Renée’s odyssey in the world of wine began at Robert Mondavi Winery’s laboratory, where she spent four enriching years. Simultaneously, she enhanced her winemaking acumen with courses at UC Davis and Napa Valley College. In 2003, she joined Duckhorn Vineyards under the tutelage of winemaker Mark Beringer, immersing herself in viticulture intricacies and the estate’s winemaking program.

With relentless dedication, Renée climbed the ranks, becoming the custodian of Duckhorn’s Sauvignon Blanc and Monitor Ledge Vineyard wines. Her winemaking philosophy revolves around humility and allowing the vineyards to articulate the essence of the wine. Renée’s artisanal approach champions intuition over formula, with each of the nearly 200 distinctive lots aged separately and attentively.

Renée’s wines proudly showcase the diverse appellations within Napa Valley, reflecting Howell Mountain, Carneros, Yountville, Rutherford, and St. Helena. She upholds Duckhorn Vineyards’ four-decade legacy of crafting distinctive wines by starting with the finest grapes, whether sourced from the Napa Valley’s premier sites or their own esteemed estate vineyards.

Renée Ary is committed to producing classic wines that capture the unique character of each vineyard’s terroir and microclimate. By treating each vineyard block as an individual canvas, she ensures that grapes are harvested at their flavor peak and tannins at their most supple. Renée Ary’s role as winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards not only continues a storied tradition but also adds a new chapter to the winery’s legacy of excellence.