The Ladera Family
Pat & Anne Stotesbery
Proprietors & Vintners
As hands-on vintners, Pat and Anne Stotesbery have worked shoulder to shoulder for more than two decades building Ladera into one of Napa Valley’s most highly regarded wineries, with a reputation for making compelling mountain Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as sophisticated Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. While many wineries have embraced the potential of mountain grapes to create extremely big and powerful wines, the Stotesberys have long championed a more balanced and layered expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, where bright fresh aromas and pure varietal flavors are supported by silky tannins and a lovely structure—a style that they have also embraced in the other varietals they work with. “We have always made wines that are authentic to what we value and appreciate—wines that we are proud to share over a meal with fellow vintners and other friends,” says Anne.
The seeds for Ladera were planted in the early 1970s, when Pat and Anne fell in love while attending university in Northern California. Among their many shared interests, they discovered a passion for wine, and were soon taking wine classes together, and traveling to wine country for tastings. Though the next
two decades took them to Minnesota and Montana, where they ran a 3,200-acre ranch with 750 head of cattle, their interest in wine only grew. As it did, they found that they had a special interest in elegant Bordeaux-varietal wines—most notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
In 1996, after a trip to California rekindled their appreciation of Napa Valley and the Bay Area, Pat and Anne acquired their first vineyard property on Mount Veeder. The following year, they purchased the Lone Canyon Vineyard, which would become the source for Ladera’s acclaimed early wines. They found that they loved the challenges and rewards of growing grapes and making wine. They also recognized that like Montana, a life in Napa Valley would allow them to raise their four children in an agrarian environment, where they could have a deeper connection with the land and their surrounding community. In 2000, this desire led the Stotesberys to acquire a historic property on Howell Mountain. Moving their family to Napa
Valley, they dedicated themselves to Ladera fulltime, embracing their role as vintners.
Sharing desks side by side (as they have done for more than two decades), Pat focused on the vineyard and winemaking side of Ladera, while Anne guided its hospitality, direct-to-consumer and wine club programs. With Pat actively involved in every aspect of production, and Anne hosting guests and guiding the visitor experience, Ladera flourished, recognized both for the exceptional quality of its wines, and the warm, inviting nature of the winery. Beyond Ladera, Pat has also embraced the role of community advocate. He has served as a past president of both the Howell Mountain Vintners and Growers Association and the Napa Valley Vintners, and is the current chairman of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, which has raised millions for the hospital.
In 2016, with their children grown and pursuing careers of their own, Pat and Anne decided to sell their Howell Mountain property. “As empty nesters, it was too big for us, and taking care of it was a fulltime job,” says Pat. “We wanted to focus our energies on doing what we love the most—making balanced, age-worthy wines. Today, with 20 years of experience under our belts, and deep relationships in the community, we are fortunate to be able to partner with Napa Valley’s greatest winegrowers in pursuit of this vision.”
The seeds for Ladera were planted in the early 1970s, when Pat and Anne fell in love while attending university in Northern California. Among their many shared interests, they discovered a passion for wine, and were soon taking wine classes together, and traveling to wine country for tastings. Though the next
two decades took them to Minnesota and Montana, where they ran a 3,200-acre ranch with 750 head of cattle, their interest in wine only grew. As it did, they found that they had a special interest in elegant Bordeaux-varietal wines—most notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
In 1996, after a trip to California rekindled their appreciation of Napa Valley and the Bay Area, Pat and Anne acquired their first vineyard property on Mount Veeder. The following year, they purchased the Lone Canyon Vineyard, which would become the source for Ladera’s acclaimed early wines. They found that they loved the challenges and rewards of growing grapes and making wine. They also recognized that like Montana, a life in Napa Valley would allow them to raise their four children in an agrarian environment, where they could have a deeper connection with the land and their surrounding community. In 2000, this desire led the Stotesberys to acquire a historic property on Howell Mountain. Moving their family to Napa
Valley, they dedicated themselves to Ladera fulltime, embracing their role as vintners.
Sharing desks side by side (as they have done for more than two decades), Pat focused on the vineyard and winemaking side of Ladera, while Anne guided its hospitality, direct-to-consumer and wine club programs. With Pat actively involved in every aspect of production, and Anne hosting guests and guiding the visitor experience, Ladera flourished, recognized both for the exceptional quality of its wines, and the warm, inviting nature of the winery. Beyond Ladera, Pat has also embraced the role of community advocate. He has served as a past president of both the Howell Mountain Vintners and Growers Association and the Napa Valley Vintners, and is the current chairman of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, which has raised millions for the hospital.
In 2016, with their children grown and pursuing careers of their own, Pat and Anne decided to sell their Howell Mountain property. “As empty nesters, it was too big for us, and taking care of it was a fulltime job,” says Pat. “We wanted to focus our energies on doing what we love the most—making balanced, age-worthy wines. Today, with 20 years of experience under our belts, and deep relationships in the community, we are fortunate to be able to partner with Napa Valley’s greatest winegrowers in pursuit of this vision.”
Jade Barrett
Winemaker
Since 2012, Ladera’s acclaimed wines have been made by gifted Winemaker Jade Barrett. An internationally trained winemaker, with extensive experience throughout New Zealand, Australia and California, Jade is recognized for making structured and sophisticated mountain Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. To create wines that embody their vineyard roots, Jade works alongside proprietor Pat Stotesbery to oversee the selection and farming of the sites Ladera owns and works with, including Ladera’s Pillow Road Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. “Because we only make a handful of wines, we apply an incredible amount of attention at every stage of viticulture,” says Jade. “When you combine this kind of attention to detail with grapes from the finest
vineyards, the results are something special.”
Jade was raised on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island, which is famous for producing some of the country’s finest Bordeaux-varietal wines. Growing up surrounded by wineries, Jade began cultivating a love of wine while working in the local vineyards, while also studying viticulture and winemaking. In 1998, Jade joined the team at Te Motu Estate, where he gained invaluable hands-on experience in both the vineyard and winery. Next, Jade traveled to California, where he worked at Napa Valley’s Truchard Vineyards and Vine Cliff Winery. In addition to gaining an international perspective, Jade also fell in love with the vibrant Napa Valley winemaking community, and the diverse character of its wines.
Returning to the Southern Hemisphere to gain further experience, Jade spent the next two years at New Zealand’s Craggy Range Winery and Amberley Estate in Western Australia, before coming back to Napa Valley to take a position as the assistant winemaker at Lewis Cellars in 2004. There, Jade refined his approach to making luxury Napa Valley wines, while also developing a passion for Cabernet Sauvignon from
hillside and mountain vineyards. In 2006, Jade was named the associate winemaker for Calistoga’s Jericho Canyon Vineyards, where he spent the next six years crafting hillside-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc before joining Ladera in 2012.
In the years since, Jade has guided Ladera’s vineyard and winemaking programs, further enhancing the remarkable quality of the wines, while staying true to Ladera’s vibrant and sophisticated style. Whether he’s driving the steep, winding roads of Napa Valley in search of great new vineyards, traveling to France to evaluate the finest oak cooperages, or introducing new fermentation and tannin management techniques, he is constantly working to create wines that are benchmarks for their depth, elegance and aging potential.
vineyards, the results are something special.”
Jade was raised on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island, which is famous for producing some of the country’s finest Bordeaux-varietal wines. Growing up surrounded by wineries, Jade began cultivating a love of wine while working in the local vineyards, while also studying viticulture and winemaking. In 1998, Jade joined the team at Te Motu Estate, where he gained invaluable hands-on experience in both the vineyard and winery. Next, Jade traveled to California, where he worked at Napa Valley’s Truchard Vineyards and Vine Cliff Winery. In addition to gaining an international perspective, Jade also fell in love with the vibrant Napa Valley winemaking community, and the diverse character of its wines.
Returning to the Southern Hemisphere to gain further experience, Jade spent the next two years at New Zealand’s Craggy Range Winery and Amberley Estate in Western Australia, before coming back to Napa Valley to take a position as the assistant winemaker at Lewis Cellars in 2004. There, Jade refined his approach to making luxury Napa Valley wines, while also developing a passion for Cabernet Sauvignon from
hillside and mountain vineyards. In 2006, Jade was named the associate winemaker for Calistoga’s Jericho Canyon Vineyards, where he spent the next six years crafting hillside-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc before joining Ladera in 2012.
In the years since, Jade has guided Ladera’s vineyard and winemaking programs, further enhancing the remarkable quality of the wines, while staying true to Ladera’s vibrant and sophisticated style. Whether he’s driving the steep, winding roads of Napa Valley in search of great new vineyards, traveling to France to evaluate the finest oak cooperages, or introducing new fermentation and tannin management techniques, he is constantly working to create wines that are benchmarks for their depth, elegance and aging potential.
Chris Artley
Chief Financial Officer
As our CFO, Chris Artley has helped to guide the business side of making exceptional mountain-grown wines since 2010, while also contributing his insights into the strategic vision of Ladera. A highly respected financial executive with a quarter-century of experience, Chris approaches his work with an entrepreneurial, idea-driven mindset.
In addition to his role at Ladera, Chris is a principal at Strategic Property Development Group and The Venerable Group, both of which are real estate investment firms based in Arizona. Chris has also served as vice president of operations for Arizona Entertainment Group where he directed operations for hotel properties throughout the Southwest.
Chris earned his bachelor of science degree from Lake Superior State University and holds his insurance producer’s license and a residential real estate license in the state of Arizona. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Chris has previously served on thePhoenix Advisory Council for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Great West Division as well as serving on the Board of Directors of Boxer Luv Rescue, a not-for-profitanimal rescue organization dedicated to saving boxers throughout Arizona.
In addition to his role at Ladera, Chris is a principal at Strategic Property Development Group and The Venerable Group, both of which are real estate investment firms based in Arizona. Chris has also served as vice president of operations for Arizona Entertainment Group where he directed operations for hotel properties throughout the Southwest.
Chris earned his bachelor of science degree from Lake Superior State University and holds his insurance producer’s license and a residential real estate license in the state of Arizona. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Chris has previously served on thePhoenix Advisory Council for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Great West Division as well as serving on the Board of Directors of Boxer Luv Rescue, a not-for-profitanimal rescue organization dedicated to saving boxers throughout Arizona.
Jan Spitzka
Director of Hospitality
As Ladera’s Director of Hospitality, Jan believes in building lasting relationships with customers and club members that enrich their experience of our wines. “As a small, family-operated winery, our approach to hospitality comes directly from our founders—it’s warm and gracious, and about making personal connections. Great wines are always at the heart of the Ladera experience, but it is the trust and friendships we earn that define us.” Jan was born in Sacramento, where her grandparents farmed grapes, and spent most of her life within two hours of Napa Valley. While earning degrees in both International Business and Italian, Jan fell under the spell of wine, and spent numerous weekends exploring wine country. After building and selling two successful businesses, Jan followed her love of wine to Lake County, where she joined the team at Brassfield Estate Winery. During eight years at Brassfield, Jan established an acclaimed hospitality program, with a focus on developing exciting tasting,tour and event experiences. At Ladera, Jan works alongside the Stotesbery family to oversee every aspect of the hospitality experience, while also helping to guide the wine club and marketing programs. “This is my dream job. Whether we are planning a special club event, creating a new tasting experience, or helping a member plan a visit to wine country, we are striving to create memorable experiences for our guests,” says Jan, before adding,“People care about a winery, when the winery cares about them.” Jan is fluent in Italian and French, and relishes the occasional opportunity to speak them with visitors in the tasting room. When she is not hosting visitors at Ladera, she loves to hike, cook and throw parties for her neighbors.
Valerie Quillen
Hospitality Administrative Associate
Valerie joined Ladera after working at such acclaimed wineries as Corison, Joseph Phelps and Domaine Chandon. As our hospitality administrative associate, Valerie brings a sense of joy and positivity to her role running our office, helping to oversee the wine club, and supporting the efforts of our amazing team. Valerie, whose father was in the military, grew up in Okinawa, Japan, and earned a degree in psychology from Hayward State University. After years of working in the corporate world, Valerie explored her entrepreneurial side, and established her own successful businesses. For the past decade, she has embraced her passion for wine, and love of engaging one-on-one with people while working for a who’s who of top wineries. Outside of Ladera, Valerie is an animal lover, an abstract painter, and a professional jazz singer with two recorded CDs. “I’m an entertainer at heart, with an outgoing nature,” says Valerie. “Making authentic connections with people is one of the things that makes working at Ladera such a joy.”
