With the arrival of the first clusters of Chardonnay at Far Niente’s historic stone winery in Oakville, the 2025 harvest season has officially begun. It also marks a milestone for the winery’s distinguished winemaker, Nicole Marchesi, who is celebrating her 20th anniversary with the iconic Napa Valley estate.
Balancing tradition, innovation and a desire to always push for higher quality, Marchesi has helped shape one of Napa Valley’s most storied estates since joining Far Niente in 2005. She was named head winemaker in 2009 and has been dedicated to further elevating the revered estate’s reputation for producing world-class Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, wines known for their layered complexity, impeccable balance, and graceful aging potential.
“Everything we do, whether in the vineyard or the cellar, is grounded in quality,” said Nicole Marchesi, Director of Winemaking. “We’ve spent the past few weeks watching the weather and monitoring the sugar, acidity and flavor in our vineyards so that when harvested, we had all the potential for an outstanding wine that reflects the integrity of the vineyards and the beauty of this specific vintage.”
