Makers' Stories
Trevor Durling
— It’s important to allow the wine to express the region it’s from, rather than to over-manipulate the production process.
What advice would you offer someone trying to get into the Napa Valley wine industry?
My advice is simple – just make sure to enjoy what you’re doing and don’t lose sight of that at the end of the day.
If you weren't a Napa Valley vintner, what would you be doing?
I would be a musician or a professional baseball player. My dream would be to play as a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants if I could only break 90 MPH.
What are you doing at your winery to help preserve and enhance Napa Valley for the future? (e.g., sustainable practices, family succession plan, community service, etc.)
At BV, we’re making a significant effort to honor and highlight the past, while thinking about what’s next for the brand. In terms of sustainable practices, we’re making sure we know where our waste goes, having a better understanding of water conservation, and holding ourselves to a certain standard to improve our water and energy usage annually. Our goal is to approach zero waste.
Which wine was your "a-ha!" wine – the one that made you love wine or inspired you to get into the industry?
Early in my winemaking career, I recall trying the Beaulieu Vineyard 1968 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with a family friend, and it not only left an indelible impression on me, but it shaped the path in which I wanted to take my career and the wines I wanted to create.
Our motto at the NVV is "cultivating excellence." What does this phrase mean to you and how do you cultivate excellence at your winery?
I think cultivating excellence has two separate meanings for the winery and for the land. When it comes to the winery, it’s about the team and empowering employees to do their best, giving each member a sense of ownership and cultivating a meaningful environment within the team. The other meaning references the natural viticultural aspect. It’s important to start with the vineyards, nurturing the highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It’s important to allow the wine to express the region it’s from, rather than to over-manipulate the production process.
How many years have you been in the Napa Valley wine industry?
I just finished my 9th vintage in the Napa Valley, although that was my 15th vintage overall.
What's one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at Camden Yards. It was an exciting moment being such a huge baseball fan, and I even threw a strike!
What do you think makes Napa Valley unique compared to other wine regions?
The number one differentiating factor is the weather because it’s among the best in the world! Napa Valley isn’t big; however, the terroir and soil profiles are so varied. The west has more iron and foliage on the mountains while the east is more volcanic with magnesium in the ground.
Est. 1900
Beaulieu Vineyard
03
The Makers