Winemaker
Marco Gressi
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Napa, California, United States
i. Biography
Marco Gressi works as winemaker at The Napa Valley Reserve in St. Helena, where the cellar is treated as an extension of the vineyard rather than a separate answer to it. His approach is built around a vineyard-first reading of the craft: fruit, soil, and season set the terms, and the winery follows with restraint. As Gressi puts it, “I often say that 85 percent of wine is made in the vineyard.”
The Climb
Early on, Marco Gressi worked as winemaker at The Napa Valley Reserve, building a practice shaped by precision, patience, and respect for what the raw material already carries. The work was not about force or embellishment; it was about reading fruit closely, making measured decisions, and letting judgment accumulate vintage by vintage. At The Napa Valley Reserve, that meant daily attention to the rhythms of winemaking and a style grounded in discernment, where the task was to reveal the vineyard’s character clearly rather than override it.
Today
Marco Gressi serves as winemaker for The Napa Valley Reserve in St. Helena, continuing to work from a vineyard-first reference point. His method reflects the long arc of the craft: what happens in the rows, what is chosen in the winery, and the balance between discipline and instinct that underpins thoughtful winemaking. The aim stays consistent—preserve purity, structure, and a sense of place.
Career - Winemaker — The Napa Valley Reserve
Signature
Marco Gressi’s signature wines include Napa Valley Reserve Blanc 2014, 2005 Napa Valley Reserve, and The Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet. Each wine sits within the same working philosophy, but with its own register. Napa Valley Reserve Blanc 2014 points to a bright, considered hand; 2005 Napa Valley Reserve carries the weight of a specific vintage within the estate’s identity; and The Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet reads as a direct expression of the house style he helps shape. Together, they describe a style that is composed, deliberate, and more interested in clarity than display.
In Their Words “I often say that 85 percent of wine is made in the vineyard.”
FAQ What is Marco Gressi's current role? As of 2026, Marco Gressi is Winemaker. Where did Marco Gressi work before? Marco Gressi's earlier career included The Napa Valley Reserve.
