Diane Wilson

Wilson Winery is fortunate that Diane Wilson has always been a quick study. Combining her passion for cooking with her educational background in biochemistry, Diane’s style of winemaking is equal parts of science, passion and art.

Approaching winemaking with the same proven techniques that have wowed people with her culinary skills, Diane uses common sense along with her other senses to craft her wines. “Looking at the color, smelling the wine each step of the way and tasting it throughout the process are my best tools, just as they are in my kitchen,” says Diane. “My philosophy of winemaking is to maximize the fruit flavor in the grape. Make sure each wine has a front, a middle and a back so you produce a full, rich mouth feel.”

“To do this, it is all about balance–having the right amount of skin contact during fermentation to extract flavor and color without getting too much tannin, leaving the wine to age in barrels for the ideal length of time to soften the tannins and add the flavor of oak without overpowering the delicate flavors of the fruit.                                   

“Some of my colleagues may find my methods unorthodox, but they work for me. From cooking I have learned my sense of smell and taste are my strongest tools. Because of that, I try to randomly smell and taste from each lot every month.” By doing this, Diane knows each lot so well that when it is time to blend and bottle, she always has a good idea of what the “recipe” should be.

Along with her winemaking duties, Diane is also the general manager, marketing director, events coordinator and strategic planner of Wilson Winery. You will often find Diane helping out in the tasting room and she hosts every winery event. To add to her busy schedule, Diane has three teenagers at home who her keep her on her toes.

“For me the winery is not a job, it is a part of my life, my passion. Every year, Ken and I take the children to a family vacation spot in Canada for several weeks. It gives us time to relax and bond with the kids. When we return home, the first thing I do is check on all my wines. They are also a part of my family. I produce them, I nurture them and when it is time, I let them go. I guess the winery is helping me prepare for that day when our children leave home.”

Diane blends her roles as winemaker and culinary wizard in ways that we all benefit–enjoying the sensory pleasures of Wilson wines.

Wilson Winery
1960 Dry Creek Road Healdsburg, CA 95448
Phone: 707-433-4355 Fax: 707-433-4353
Toll Free: 800-433-4602