Podcast Episode 10: a Historical Look at Napa Valley with Richard Mendelson & Glass with a Grower, Ren Harris

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, Executive Director and host Caleb Mosley celebrates the Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 50th anniversary with two in-depth conversations highlighting the region's rich history, agricultural legacy, and future challenges.
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The episode begins with Richard Mendelson, a renowned wine lawyer, author, and historian. Richard discusses the pivotal moments that shaped Napa Valley, from the 19th-century wine pioneers to the post-Prohibition revival and the creation of the Agricultural Preserve in 1968. He emphasizes the critical role of human influence in terroir, the importance of resilience in the face of climate change, and the need to preserve Napa’s agricultural heritage. 

The conversation continues with Ren Harris, one of the founding members of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and a celebrated vintner. Ren reflects on his early days in Napa, the region’s shift from prunes to vineyards, and his instrumental role in creating the Napa Valley Grapegrowers organization. He shares stories about his work advocating for farmworker rights, creating health insurance plans for vineyard workers, and establishing marketing orders and appellation rules that shaped Napa’s identity. Ren also discusses the evolution of vineyard practices, his family’s Paradigm Winery, and the significance of preserving Napa’s community spirit and agricultural lands amid climate and economic changes.

This episode is brought to you by Pulido Walker Estate Vineyards. 

Episode Highlights

"The secret to Napa Valley's success is people, not just terroir. Terroir includes the natural elements, but it also includes the human element — the people who plant the vineyards, work the fields, make the wine. Without that, it's not a complete picture." – Richard Mendelson

"The Agricultural Preserve was a bet on Napa’s future before anyone knew what was coming. It was about preserving the land for agriculture at a time when many didn’t believe in the potential of wine here. It remains the most important decision in Napa's history." – Richard Mendelson

"Social justice is now a part of terroir. When I traveled the world to protect the Napa Valley name, people asked me how we treat our farmworkers. It’s become clear that how we care for our community is just as important as the land itself in defining our identity." – Richard Mendelson
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"You make your wine in the vineyard. I always tell Heidi Barrett, 'We're bringing you really good grapes — just don’t screw it up!' It’s all about even ripening and meticulous farming, and you can’t achieve that by cutting corners." – Ren Harris

"Two dirt farmers from Napa got the federal government to change appellation laws for the entire country. We used the tools we had — connections, common sense, and persistence — to ensure that if it says Napa Valley on a bottle, it means something." – Ren Harris