Cathy Corison:a legendary Napa Valley winemaker
Each week, as regular readers know, Terroirist poses 16 questions to a winemaker. This week, we’re featuring Cathy Corison, the legendary Napa Valley winemaker who has been at the helm of her eponymous winery since 1987.
Corison arrived in Napa Valley in 1978, where she landed a harvest internship with Freemark Abbey while pursuing a Masters in Enology from UC Davis. In 1980, Corison took a job as winemaker at Chappellet Vineyards, and over the next few years, she would also work at Staglin Family, York Creek, and Long Meadow Ranch.
Corison’s wines are some of the best in Napa Valley. Late last year, Jon Bonné sang their praises, describing Corison’s “restrained style [as] a model for less being more.” I agree. On my recent trip to Napa Valley for the annual Wine Writers Symposium — where I tasted hundreds of wines — her 2001 bottling was one of the knockouts.
After reading Talia Baiocchi’s recent profile of Corison in Eater, it became obvious that Corison has a great story to tell…
What’s open in your kitchen right now?
A 2008 Reverdy Sancerre and a 2002 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett from the Mosel.
How did you decide to pursue a career in wine?
I took a wine appreciation class on a whim while I was a sophomore studying biology at Pomona College in Claremont, CA in the early 1970s. Wine grabbed me by the neck and ran with me. I’m still studying biology 38 years later! Wine is alive.
How did you learn to make wine?
Mostly by making it. I do have an M.S. in winemaking from UC Davis, which was a good technical foundation.
How do you spend your days off?
Hiking and camping with my family. I see a lot of live theater.
Who are your favorite winemakers in history?
Andre Tchelistcheff, Lalou Bize-Leroy, Marcel Guigal, Paolo De Marchi, and many others. These people all stand for something.
What new winemakers are you most excited about, and why?
Anyone dedicated to making wines that speak of place.
What mailing lists, if any, do you purchase from?
I participate in “clubs” with both K&L Wine Merchants and Kermit Lynch.
What’s the best wine you’ve ever tasted? The most interesting?
The most memorable was a 1962 Gelin Chambertin Clos de Bèze at Milt Eisele‘s house in the late 1970′s.
What’s the oldest bottle in your cellar? The most expensive?
The oldest and most expensive would be a 1953 Chateau Lafite given to me for a big, round-numbered birthday several years ago.
If you had to pick one red and one white to drink for the next month with every dinner, what would you choose?
The white would be a snappy dry Riesling from the Mosel, and the red would be a Burgundy from the Côte d’Or.
What’s your biggest challenge as a winemaker?
Keeping up with all the paper that needs to be shuffled in order to keep up with all the red tape. On the production side, Ma Nature’s vicissitudes.
What’s your favorite wine region in the world — other than your own?
Burgundy, just to be consistent. Also love Côte Rotie and Brunello.
Is beer ever better than wine?
Not very often.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I’m a lapsed glider pilot.
If you weren’t making wine for a living, what would you be doing?
Marine Biologist? Stage Manager in a regional theater?
How do you define success?
Making wine that is full of life and gives pleasure.