Alan Viader, Director of Operations & Winemaking

Alan Viader has spent a lifetime immersed in the vineyards of Howell Mountain, where he grew up on his family estate and began his first harvest at the age of nine. Early hands-on experience in the vineyard and cellar, combined with formal studies in Viticulture Management, Wine Business, and a BS in Business Administration, laid the foundation for a career devoted to terroir-driven wines, sustainable farming, and innovative winemaking practices.

Alan joined VIADER® as Vineyard Manager in 2002, stepping into the role of lead winemaker in 2006 after a formative harvest at Achaval-Ferrer in Mendoza, Argentina. Today, he oversees all aspects of vineyard management and wine production, continually experimenting with organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices, as well as new technologies to elevate the quality of VIADER® wines. His global perspective is informed by study and travel in Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France, including advanced viticulture coursework at the University of Sciences Agro in Bordeaux.

Active in both the Napa Valley wine community and public service, Alan serves on multiple industry committees and is a volunteer firefighter and search-and-rescue team member. At home, he shares his love of the outdoors with his wife Mariela and their three children, exploring mountains, deserts, and remote landscapes on enduro motorcycles and camping adventures. A hands-on steward of the land and the family legacy, Alan continues to craft wines that reflect the unique character of VIADER®’s estate vineyards, ensuring each vintage carries the passion of the Viader family forward.