Kathleen Heitz Myers
President & CEO
Years of hands-on experience in every facet of the family business
inspired Kathleen Heitz Myers' deep-rooted love of winemaking. Her firsthand
knowledge of every aspect of running a winery combined with a broad-based
education in science, genetics and the culinary arts uniquely prepared Kathleen
for her dynamic leadership role at one of Napa Valley’s most revered wineries.
The Heitz family values education, and Kathleen approached her studies
with the intent of gaining an international perspective. She began her
scientific studies in Switzerland, ultimately earning a Biology degree from the
University of Oregon. She also attained a lifetime teaching credential from UC
Davis, and continued her education in France and Thailand with the study of
cuisine.
In 1978, she returned home, eager to contribute to the Heitz Wine
Cellars winemaking legacy. Her career at Heitz began in sales and marketing,
where she spearheaded a program to export Heitz wines to markets around the
globe. Her ability to identify innovative ideas and flawlessly execute them won
her the family’s vote of confidence to lead the entire operation.
Since 1998, Kathleen has been the President and Chief Operating Officer
of Heitz Wine Cellars. She has charted a highly effective course for the winery
by embracing frontline business practices while continuing to preserve Heitz's
commitment to quality and innovation.
Kathleen’s ability to create long-term relationships has fostered valued
business connections and friendships with customers, employees and community
leaders alike, a vital cornerstone of Heitz Wine Cellars’ ongoing success. Her
respect for community involves her service on several boards-of-directors
including past Chairman of Wine Institute, past President of Napa Valley
Vintners, past President of Wine Service Co-op and the Advisory Council for the
Land Trust of Napa County.
“My parents believed in the American dream of building a family
business,” says Kathleen. “I think they would be amazed at the far-reaching
impact of our small winery today. We hear stories from people around the world
who celebrate life with Heitz wines, and we promise that we will continue to
polish our legacy.”
Kathleen is married to St. Helena businessman George Myers, who is also
an avid wine connoisseur and fly fisherman. They synchronize their busy
schedules to travel together often as Kathleen represents Heitz Wine Cellars
around the world.
About Heitz Wine Cellars: Founded in 1961, Heitz Wine Cellars is a
true Napa Valley legacy: a multi-generation, successful family business that
has held true to its founder’s vision for
decades and continues to stand proudly in the world’s spotlight. Pioneering
vintner Joe Heitz and his wife Alice shared an innovative, entrepreneurial
spirit that helped usher in Napa’s modern era with his iconic,
globally-celebrated wines—including Napa Valley’s first vineyard-designated
Cabernet Sauvignon, the legendary Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard—and the vision
that Napa Valley wines could achieve international recognition. Today, the
Heitz family is steadfastly upholding the principles and unwavering commitment
to quality that built a wine portfolio of enduring excellence, while
thoughtfully modernizing and diversifying the business. With hands-on
management of the winery and organically farmed vineyards, the Heitz family
continues to offer quintessential wines, made with 100% Napa Valley fruit, that
celebrate their agrarian roots and commitment to the stewardship of Napa
Valley, a place they call home.
Heitz Family: Founders Joe and Alice Heitz had a vision
that encompassed creating Napa Valley wines that stand with the upper echelon
of wines from around the world, and then bringing those wines to the
international stage. Their daughter, CEO Kathleen Heitz Myers, brought that
vision to the forefront, creating and implementing an innovative and
sustainable approach to business, built upon a myriad of relationships that
span the globe. Winemaker David Heitz has brought his own expertise to the
cellar, while staying true to a vision of classic, polished wines with
restraint and elegance. Representing the family’s third generation, David’s son
Harrison Heitz joined the team at Heitz Wine Cellars in 2012 with an
appreciation of the family’s legacy and his sights on contributing to the
future success of the business. While Joe Heitz passed away in 2000, Alice
continues to lend support at the winery with her keen palate and quick wit.
Martha May
About Martha’s Vineyard
"Where is Martha's Vineyard?" Here is the correct
answer for wine aficionados.
Martha's
Vineyard is 34 gently sloping acres on the western side of the Napa Valley just
south of Oakville. This verdant niche near the Mayacamas foothills soaks up the
morning sun and then cools down a bit earlier than the valley floor.
Fanning
out across a graveled alluvial plain, the vines are fringed with towering
Eucalyptus trees which are often credited with the distinctive minty aroma and
taste of the wine.
This
certified organic ranch is home to a proprietary Cabernet clone famed for
producing small berries with an intensely purple hue and splendidly
concentrated flavor. Joe Heitz crafted the first memorable Martha's Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon from this exquisite fruit in 1966.
Tom and
Martha May have owned this much-heralded vineyard since 1963. From the
beginning, the couple decided to focus on the agricultural end of the business,
but they believed that they had "special dirt" which just might merit
its own wine. The connection they made with Joe and Alice Heitz was a
fortuitous moment in Cabernet history.
When the
Mays purchased the land and moved into their home, they were greeted with two
bottles of Heitz wine that had been left as a welcome by the sellers. Impressed
with the gift, the Mays decided to visit Heitz Wine Cellars. That marked the
beginning of a friendship that quickly became one of the most important
relationships in the winemaking industry. The Heitz family's exclusive
arrangement to buy the May family's grapes began with their first harvest and
continues today.
Second
generation Richard May and Laura May Everett are a major force in the family
business today. They approach the farming of Martha's Vineyard in the May
family tradition — with great energy and ardor. Both are devoted to the preservation
of the extraordinary land that is their heritage.
Now, what
about that name?
Trying to
come up with a catchy name for their farm in 1963 Tom asked, "What about Martha's Vineyard?" Martha
modestly replied, "Oh, we can't do that." But,
Tom loved the humor in it, so he persisted until Martha politely acquiesced.
Martha's
Vineyard — Now, you know the "West" of the story.
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