The Owner :

Hi!  My name is Linda Neal, and I am the Owner of Mellowood Vineyard.  I have been involved in agriculture since High School, getting my start with the FFA, Future Farmers of America.  My path led me to the Napa Valley, where I was the co-owner of a Vineyard Management company for over 20 years.  I am a grape grower, and am thrilled to be able to share the fruits of the vineyard with you. 

I bought the 25 acre parcel on Mellowood Drive in September of 2000, and have been working steadily since then toward creating delicious wines that would bring you to the incredible Sierra Foothills with each sip.  While the majority of the wooded parcel remain native, I carved out 9 acres and planted Zinfandel and Syrah, both perfectly suited to the growing conditions of this unique appellation of Fair Play. The vines were planted in 2002, and the first Mellowood wines were bottled in 2008. Now, the Mellowood tasting room is open for you to enjoy the soft, elegant, balanced wines.

I still own a small vineyard in Oakville, where I have grown Cabernet Sauvignon since 1987.  I love both regions.  While there are striking differences, one major constancy is the commitment to quality grapes and wines.

The Winemakers :

Mellowood has been blessed with three fantastic Winemakers, each taking the lead in different vintages, but always collaborating to maintain our unique style.  We strive for a balanced wine, that shows off the fruit and highlights a sense of place.  David DeSante and Alejandro Alfaro worked together on the 2008 through 2010 vintages, and welcome Sam Patterson to the team in 2011.

It takes a Village:

Clearly one person cannot do it alone.  I look forward to bringing you information about the many people who help me an make Mellowood a great place to visit.