Denis Malbec

Winemaker, Notre Vin

Denis Malbec was born at Chateau Latour in Pauillac, France. He took his first baby steps in the cellar, holding onto barrels, and later learned to ride a bike by weaving among the vineyard rows. His father, Jean-Noel Malbec, and his grandfather, Camille Malbec, both served as Cellar Master and Vineyard Manager for Chateau Latour. In 1993, Denis followed in their footsteps, starting as a cellar worker at Chateau Latour and eventually becoming Enologist and Cellar Master. He crafted vintages at this renowned house from 1994 to 1999.

In 2000, Denis Malbec and his wife, May-Britt, moved to California to expand their vision of crafting exceptional wines from the world's most distinctive regions and, applying their multi-generational winemaking experience to the fruit in and around the Napa Valley, quickly became one of the most sought after consulting winemaker team in the world.

In 2003, May-Britt and Denis started making their own wine, NOTRE VIN, from a high altitude vineyard on Howell Mountain, which has since then been rated as one of the top 15 Napa Valley Cabernets in international publications.

Country born: France

Education: Denis Malbec is a graduate in oenology with degrees from the Universities of Bordeaux and Reims. Denis apprenticed at Chateau Haut-Brion and Duval-Leroy in Champagne. He then was in charge of winemaking at Chateau Latour until 1999 when he and his wife May-Britt, a distinguished sommelier on her own, moved to the Napa Valley in 2000 and added a few 100 Parker point wines to their pedigree.

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Remember what I learned from my forbearers, make wine with passion and be respectful of the land.