Naoko Dalla Valle

Founder, Farmer and Proprietor

Since founding Dalla Valle Vineyards in 1986, Naoko has been the guiding force behind the property, quietly earning a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most respected vintners. While doing so, she has established Dalla Valle Vineyards as one of the New World’s most beloved wineries.

Born and raised in Kobe and Tokyo, Japan, Naoko grew up surrounded by a deep appreciation for culture, the finer things in life, and exceptional food and wine—a sensibility that has shaped everything she has built at Dalla Valle Vineyards. Giving back is equally central to who she is. As Naoko says, “Easy access to good healthcare is a basic human right- I believe if everyone gives back a little this world will be a much better place.”

Naoko is a farmer at heart. Convinced that great wine begins in the vineyard, she has devoted herself to her land with uncommon dedication—and it shows. Under her stewardship, the Dalla Valle estate has earned an outstanding reputation for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Naoko can be found walking the vineyard rows nearly every day, bringing her four decades of winegrowing wisdom to every decision shaping the property.

In 2017, Naoko was joined at Dalla Valle Vineyards by her daughter, Maya, a gifted winemaker who learned her craft working at some of the world’s most iconic wineries. “I have long admired the great multigenerational wineries of Europe, so having Maya join me at Dalla Valle Vineyards was always a secret dream,” says Naoko. “As a mother, working beside my daughter to preserve the vision and values that have always defined Dalla Valle Vineyards is truly inspiring.