Clos du Val's fifty-plus years of family leadership across three generations might seem like a long time. Still, set against the grand arc of wine's rich history, it is only a drop in the barrel. With any intergenerational endeavor, there are the twin tasks of preserving and persevering.
Celebrate great vintages past while believing the best vintages lay ahead. Guard traditions while setting forth a new vision. Find the line that connects past, present, and future and hold fast.
California’s adventure-filled 1970s was an ideal time to break the unwritten rules of wine. Most notable by adorning a wine label with three “naked ladies”.
“When I arrived in 1972, the Napa Valley was beautiful. Farmer’s country. Down to earth. Simple. One of the reasons why I stayed was the pioneering spirit. Everyone helped each other.”
A pioneering spirit of adventure is alive and well at Clos du Val today. A dynamic grandson imbues the winery with the same purpose and harmony that wrote its first chapter so many years ago. With winemaker Carmel Greenberg and viticulturist Ryan Decker, third-generation owner Olav Goelet understands the power of a common goal and creates a place that draws in people who care deeply about understanding and improving this small but meaningful corner of Napa Valley. Clos du Val is a place for humility, purpose, harmony, and wonder.
“In the early ‘80s, my grandfather, John Goelet, commissioned cartoonist Ronald Searle to create a series of illustrations capturing the quirks and charm of the wine world. John and Ronald had become close friends through their shared love of the arts and humor and wanted to bring joy and laughter to the world of wine. I remember fondly my childhood leafing through a series of books that documented these illustrations. Something I keep at my desk as a reminder that wine should never be taken too seriously and that humor will always liven the mood. We wanted to share this as a way of remembering my grandfather, and bring some joy and humor to our world of wine without compromising the focus and attention we bring to our craft.”
–Olav Goelet, Third-Generation Owner
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