Heidi Barrett

Heidi Peterson Barrett is an American winemaker and entrepreneur who has been responsible for some of California's most notable cult wines.[2] Her career has included stints at Screaming Eagle,[3] Dalla Valle Vineyards, Paradigm Winery, Grace Family Vineyards, Amuse Bouche, Lamborn Family, Showket Vineyards, Revana Family Vineyards, Vineyard 29 and Fantesca. Barrett is a consultant for Elizabeth Spencer and has her own wine label, La Sirena.[2][4]

"Heidi Peterson" redirects here. For the actress and politician, see United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2010.
Heidi Barrett
Born
Heidi Peterson

Berkeley, California
EducationB.Sc. in Fermentation Science, 1980
Alma materUniversity of California, Davis
OccupationWinemaker
Years active1983 - present
EmployerBarrett & Barrett
SpouseBo Barrett
ChildrenRemi and Chelsea [1]
Parent(s)Richard and Diane Petersen

Early Years and Education

Barrett was born in Berkeley, California to parents Richard and Diane Peterson. Her father was an influential winemaker who worked for several wineries including E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California and Beaulieu Vineyards in St. Helena, California where he worked under Andre Tchelistcheff.[5]

Barrett attended grade school in Modesto before her family moved to the Napa Valley.[6] and graduated from UC Davis in 1980 with a B.Sc. in Fermentation Science.[7] She was one of only four women in her graduating class of 30.[8]

Career

Following internships in both the German and Australian wine industries, Barrett became head winemaker for Buehler Vineyards in 1983 at age 25.[9][10]

In 1988, at age 30, Barrett left Buehler and struck out on her own as a winemaker consultant.[8] Her first consulting client was Dalla Valle, and she worked with her proprietor Gustav Dalla Valle to earn her first two 100-point scores from Wine Advocate's Robert Parker.[8]

After achieving success with Dalla Valle, Barrett began working with Jean Phillips of Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley.[8] Phillips was the realtor for her first client Gustav Dalla Valle, and began working with Barrett on a casual, hourly basis.[8] This brand took off in the early 1990s, and following the 1992 vintage of Screaming Eagle, Barrett became a "winemaking star".[11][12]

Barrett then began working as winemaker for Ren Harris of Paradigm Winery, and continued to grow her career from there. As Barrett's children grew up, she was able to devote more time to her winemaking career.[8]

Wine critic Robert Parker has awarded her wines 100 points five times and called her "The First Lady of Wine" as well as the "the Queen of Cult Cabernet."[7][9][13]

Personal life

Barrett is married to Bo Barrett, the winemaker at Chateau Montelena[14] She has two daughters; Remi and Chelsea.[10] She is an avid scuba diver, painter, and helicopter pilot.[15][16]

See also

References
  1. "Winemaker Profile". Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  2. Laube, James, Wine Spectator (October 9, 2003). "Merlot for Your Amusement".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Glynn, Amy. "Decanted: A Winemaker's Journey". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  4. PR Newswire (2023-04-18). "LONGTIME RIDGE VINEYARDS PRESIDENT, DAVID AMADIA TO JOIN FANTESCA ESTATE & WINERY IN NAPA VALLEY AS COO". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  5. "Screaming Eagle: An American masterpiece". Christies Auctions. 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  6. Intardonato, John (September 16, 2004). "Barrett passion shines from vineyard to studio". Napa Valley Register. Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  7. amusebouchewine.com Heidi Barrett bio
  8. Orbison, Willie (2015-11-03). "Napa's Most Famous Winemaker Rides a Helicopter to Work". Munchies. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  9. Calwineries. "Heidi Peterson Barrett".
  10. Lander, Jess. "Heidi Barrett of Calistoga: Napa Valley's queen of cabernet". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  11. Laube, James and Sogg, Daniel, Wine Spectator (March 21, 2006). "Screaming Eagle Sold".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. "Heidi Barrett: Napa Valley's queen of cabernet reflects on wine, pirates, helicopters and what 100-point scores really mean". Napa Valley Register. Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc. March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  13. Ofenloch, Melanie (2018-05-27). "DLynn Proctor and Duane Hoff from Fantesca Winery". DallasWineChick.com. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  14. Franson, Paul, Vines & Wines (October 2007). "Winemaker Interview: Heidi Peterson Barret".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. Smith, Melissa L. (2021-02-08). "Dream Cellars: Heidi Barrett". enotrias. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  16. "Our Team". Aviatrix Wine. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
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