Meet Winemaker Mari Wells

Mari Wells started college working on a science degree, which eventually became the science of winemaking and enology.  She graduated from UC Davis in 2000, eagerly beginning her career by working two vintages at the Gloria Ferrer Champagne caves.  Mari then traveled to New Zealand to follow her passion for pinot noir, landing in Central Otago and working a vintage at Chard Farm winery near Queenstown.  In 2001 she studied under Merry Edwards, pinot noir guru, in the Russian River Valley. 

After experiencing the Sonoma area, she realized that the mountains of the Sierra Nevada were an ideal setting, where she could enjoy skiing and river rafting as well as her work.  Active in the local wine association, Mari enjoyed being in a pioneering region similar to that of Central Otago, New Zealand.  She worked 4 years at Chatom vineyards in Calaveras County before landing at David Girard Vineyards and calling El Dorado her home.  Grenache has now become her Pinot Noir, and she looks forward to producing David Girard Vineyards’ first estate Rhone varietals.  Mari enjoys participating in an established region of the foothills, and would like to be part of El Dorado County’s wine industry as it gains worldwide recognition.  When she’s not working in the cellar or sipping wine, you can find Mari rafting, skiing, hiking and enjoying the outdoors with her family and friends.