In this episode of Barrels and Roots, I sit down with Dan Stotesbery, managing partner at Ladera Vineyards, a family-owned Napa Valley winery he now runs day-to-day with his wife.

We talk about why small, family-run wineries still matter in a world that’s getting more corporate, and how authenticity shows up in the details, from hosting tastings themselves to literally packing shipping boxes and remembering customers by name. Dan breaks down Howell Mountain Cabernet, what being above the fog line does to structure and tannins, and why mountain fruit often needs more time to come into balance than valley floor wines. We also get into the quality vs quantity decision that took Ladera from 35,000 cases down to around 4,000, and how that shift let them make better wine and build deeper relationships. Along the way, I share my own Napa roots and why wine is really about memory, place, and people, not perfect tasting notes, plus why Cabernet can feel intimidating for new drinkers and how to keep learning simple, trust your palate, taste broadly, and don’t let wine culture make you feel like you don’t belong.

If you want an honest conversation about Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, family winemaking, and what makes a great Cabernet feel alive, this one’s for you.