Viognier Press Release

(NAPA, Calif.) April 29, 2021 -- Cecil Park, Napa’s only female Korean winemaker, today announced the release of her 2020 INNOVATUS Viognier. Grown in the Riverbend Vineyard in Yountville AVA soils known for producing big, bold cabernet sauvignons and buttery chardonnays, Park has coaxed the land to take on a Napa Valley Viognier from the vineyard. The wine is noted for its unusual depth and profound flavor, described as “sensuous.”

“I am extremely excited to add Viognier as a signature white wine to our INNOVATUS portfolio,” said Park. “Viognier is known to be a chef’s favorite because of the floral, fruit forward taste and the clean finish. The grapes are difficult to grow, the goal is getting the right notes through fermentation without becoming overpowering.”

According to Napavinters.com, less than 2% of all the grapes grown in Napa are Viognier, due in large part to the demand and premium price for the region’s bold reds and chardonnays. The devastating 2020 wildfire season added additional constraints.

“We were very fortunate to have harvested these grapes two days before the outbreak of the Glass Fire Napa which damaged over 67,000 acres of vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties,” said Park.

After immigrating from Korea in 2001, Park became enamored by the challenges of making wine while working in the hospitality industry.

“As someone with a background in biotechnical engineering, I was drawn to the technical aspect of wine making and the beauty of the vineyards, and fell in love with the culture,” said Park. “So, I decided to pursue a degree in Viticulture and Enology. 14 years and thousands of barrels later, here I am.”

Overseeing 80 vineyards in Napa and Sonoma, Park commands vast knowledge of site specifics and grape varieties grown throughout the valley. As the only Korean female winemaker in Napa, Park is accustomed to blazing her own trail, and using her broad educational background to bring out an excellent tasting experience from the ground, to the barrel, to the glass.

As the chief winemaker of INNOVATUS wines, she expanded her passion of winemaking to the small - to medium - sized estate winery and vineyard development. Recently, she welcomed Jeannie Kim aboard as Partner/CEO, to handle the day-to-day operations and business development. A fellow Korean immigrant, Kim is a well-known name in the San Francisco restaurant and catering industry where she has launched several successful restaurants, including SAMS American Eatery, Fermentation Lab, and Divine Indulgence Catering.