Mother-Daughter Team at Dalla Valle Vineyards in Napa

Maya and Naoko Dalla Valle are an incredible mother-daughter team at Dalla Valle Vineyards, one of the rare female-owned and operated wineries in Napa Valley. The multi-generational winery has earned acclaim, with Naoko paving the way for her daughter, Maya, to take the reins as Winemaker in 2021, carrying the legacy forward with a fresh perspective.

Originally from Japan, Naoko and her late husband, Gustav Dalla Valle, founded the winery in 1986. After Gustav’s passing, Naoko took full control and her hands-on approach—from managing the vineyard to overseeing winemaking—has cemented Dalla Valle’s reputation as one of Napa’s most prestigious estates.

Naoko takes immense pride in seeing her daughter build upon the foundation she established nearly four decades ago. “Maya’s knowledge and strong connection to the academic and wine communities have taken our winemaking and winegrowing to the next level,” she says.

Growing up at the estate with two legendary winemakers as parents, Maya was determined to earn her place before joining the family business. She left home to earn degrees from Cornell and Bordeaux Science Agro, refining her craft at renowned wineriesabroad including Ornellaia e Masseto and Château Latour. When Maya finally returned, she quickly made her mark by earning four perfect 100-point scores for Dalla Valle’s 2021 vintage – her first vintage leading the estate as Winemaker.

Now one of few second-generation female winemakers shaping the future of Napa Valley’s wine scene, Maya feels incredibly fortunate to have her mom’s guidance. “There’s a reason our business has been successful, and it’s because of the vision my mom created and stayed true to,” she says.

Beyond their dedication to quality winemaking, Maya and Naoko are committed to giving back to the community they love, supporting numerous charitable organizations and community initiatives. They contribute to causes like the Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena & Calistoga, Family House, and the Napa Valley Education Foundation, while also participating in key fundraising events, including the Pathways for Kids Annual Gala and the Providence Community Health Foundation’s gala.

Naoko plays an active role in community health initiatives, serving as the Board Chair for the OLE Health Foundation which provides vital healthcare services to Napa County residents, ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has access to quality medical care.

The Wines

The estate wines produced by Dalla Valle Vineyards originates in specific vineyard blocks, imbuing each with a unique sense of place. There are three wines produced each year from the estate: 

Collina Dalla Valle, Italian for “Hill of the Valley”, is a red blend created from the younger vines on the property and offers a more approachable profile in its youth. This is the introductory wine into the brand. 

Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine created from the estate in 1986. The Cabernet expresses the beauty of Dalla Valle Vineyards terroir and is always blended with a small fraction of Cabernet Franc.

Maya, named after founders Naoko and Gustav’s daughter, is a special blend of Maya’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and the best selected blocks of Cabernet Franc.

Dalla Valle Vineyards Team

Naoko and Maya Dalla Valle work alongside an illustrious team that includes Winemaker Andy Erickson, Vineyard Manager Edgar Alfaro, as well as Consulting Winemaker Michel Rolland. This dedicated group stewards every aspect of the viticulture and winemaking with a level of meticulous care and detail reserved for the great First Growths, to ensure Dalla Valle continues to thrive for generations to come.