Heidi Peterson-Barret grew up in Napa Valley the daughter of a winemaker –scientist father and artist mother. She spent her summers during high school working every menial job in the wine industry from sorting vine cuttings to bottling line work. After high school she continued her winemaking education at U.C, Davis where she met and became the assistant to Dr. Ann Noble, the developer of the aroma wheel.
After graduating from U.C. Davis in 1980 she went to work for Justin Meyer at Franciscan Vineyards and Silver Oak. In 1981 she became the assistant winemaker for Bouchaine Vineyards; in 1983 she was the winemaker for Buehler Vineyard and was starting to receive some critical acclaim for her ability to improve quality and her unique insight into winemaking.
In 1988 she left Buehler and started her career as an independent winemaker, within a week she became the winemaker for Dalle Valle Vineyard and the creator of “Maya” a proprietary red wine that received 2 perfect 100pt scores from Robert Parker in 1992-93.
Heidi’s success did not stop there in 1992 Heidi made the first vintage of Screaming Eagle which has also received 2 perfect 100pt scores (the 1992 and 1997). In 2000 at the Napa Valley wine Auction a 6-liter bottle of Screaming Eagle sold for a record half million dollars.
Currently Heidi is the winemaker for Amuse Bouche, Barbour Vineyards, Jones Family, Lamborn Family, and Paradigm winery, Screaming Eagle, Showket Vineyards and Revana Family Vineyards.
Heidi an ocean lover and scuba diver started making her own wine in 1994, La Sirena “the Mermaid’ in Spanish and Italian. At present La Sirena produces small amounts of Cabernet and syrah.

Next week we will take a look at another winemaker.