Chris Pisani

Winemaker, ZD Wines

Growing up in a big Italian family, Senior Winemaker Chris Pisani learned to appreciate the very aspects that make Napa Valley so memorable: great people, history, wine and food. During his formative years, Chris studied chemistry in college while experimenting with winemaking at home. He quickly was hooked, and Chris was destined to move to the Napa Valley wine country with his wife, Ina. Chris followed the path of many Napa Valley renowned winemakers and attended UC Davis to study viticulture and enology. Chris fell headfirst into the world of winemaking and started down the path that would lead him to ZD Wines in 1996. As senior winemaker, Chris, along with third generation Winemaker Brandon deLeuze, is responsible for producing ZD’s world class wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet. Together, they strive to make the best wines in Napa Valley and focus on quality, consistency and style.

Country born: United States

Education: Chemistry Degree Suny Stonybrook 1991
UC Davis- enology course, and graduate work

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
When creating a wine, we create it with the customer in mind, with our fans in mind, not the critics. By enjoying our wines, they are sharing in our history, in our heart, and in the passion that we put forth every day. It's why we do what we do.