Elizabeth Vianna
{{autobiography|date=May 2024}}
{{short description|American winemaker}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Elizabeth Vianna
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_place = São Paulo, Brazil
| education = B.A. in Biology
M.Sc. in Fermentation Science, 1999
| alma_mater = Vassar College
University of California, Davis
| occupation = Winemaker
| years_active = 1999 - present
| employer = Chimney Rock
| spouse =
}}
Elizabeth Vianna is a female winemaker and businesswoman who has been responsible for some of California's most notable Cabernet wines.{{Cite news|url=https://inthemix.on-premise.com/2015/01/take-5-interview-elizabeth-vianna/|title=Take 5: Interview with Elizabeth Vianna - in the Mix Magazine|date=2015-01-21|work=in the Mix Magazine|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n5b_qpeCvG8C&q=elizabeth+vianna&pg=PA194|title=The New Connoisseurs' Guidebook to California Wine and Wineries|last1=Olken|first1=Charles E.|last2=Furstenthal|first2=Joseph|date=2010-10-28|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520253131}} She is one of America's few Latina winemakers,{{Cite news|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/star/wine/rhythm-and-texture-the-music-of-wine/article_947b6785-3353-5c76-b2f6-7be825cb34cc.html|title=Rhythm and texture — the music of wine|last=CARL|first=TIM|work=Napa Valley Register|access-date=2017-12-11}} known for Bordeaux-style wines at Chimney Rock, a part of Terlato Wine Group.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HOGLCgAAQBAJ&q=elizabeth+vianna&pg=PR5|title=The Winemakers: A Novel of Wine and Secrets|last=Moran|first=Jan|date=2016-04-05|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=9781466850033}}
Career
Vianna came to the wine world by happenstance. She studied biology in undergrad at Vassar College in New York and worked as a clinical toxicologist after completing her undergraduate education.{{Cite web|url=http://winetable.com/blog/winemaker-in-the-spotlight-elizabeth-vianna/|title=Winemaker in the Spotlight: Elizabeth Vianna - WineTable.com|last=Wines|first=Brian|date=2012-11-16|website=WineTable.com|access-date=2017-12-11}} While living in New York City an working in New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, she tasted a glass of 1985 Sociando Mallet while at an auction at Chrisie's Auction House.{{Cite web|url=https://webpages.scu.edu/womenwinemakers/view.php?id=271|title=Women Winemakers of California {{!}}Elizabeth Vianna|website=webpages.scu.edu|access-date=2017-12-11}}
This newfound appreciation for wine led her to apply to the University of California, Davis for a masters program in winemaking.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chimneyrock.com/Philosophy/WinemakingTeam|title=Chimney Rock - Winemaking Team|last=Solutions|first=eWinery|website=www.chimneyrock.com|access-date=2017-12-11}} While in school, Vianna began an internship at Chimney Rock. When she graduated in 1999, Vianna became an enologist at that Napa company, and was named assistant winemaker there in 2002. She then advanced to the position of winemaker in 2005.
In 2011, Vianna was promoted to General Manager of the winery, while continuing in her role as head winemaker of this Stags Leap District estate enterprise.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LDAtAQAAMAAJ&q=Elizabeth+Vianna|title=Bon Appétit|date=January 2010|publisher=Bon Appétit Publishing Corporation}}
Over time, Vianna worked with California's top winemakers, including Heidi Barrett, Erin Green, Pam Starr, and Celia Welch.
In 2009, Vianna was honored by the UC, Davis School of Graduate Studies when she was invited to deliver the commencement speech to the class of 2009.{{Cite news|url=https://www.palatexposure.com/wednesdays-with-winemakers/elizabeth-vianna/|title=Wednesdays with Winemakers - Elizabeth Vianna |author=Ilona|date=2016-01-13|work=PalateXposure|access-date=2017-12-11}} She is frequently selected for tasting panels and judging wine competitions.
In 2012, PBS filmed Vianna's work at Chimney Rock for a six-part TV series titled Vintage.{{Cite news|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/wine/pbs-looks-through-winemakers-eyes/article_25472970-849a-11e3-89f7-0019bb2963f4.html|title=PBS looks through winemakers' eyes|work=Napa Valley Register|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.theprimlanikitchen.com/experience-2012-vintage-with-women-winemakers-of-napa-terlatomedia-on-pbs-wine/|title=Experience 2012 Vintage with Women Winemakers of Napa & @terlatomedia on @PBS #wine|date=2015-02-03|work=The Primlani Kitchen|access-date=2017-12-11}} The show took viewers behind-the-scenes at three Napa Valley wineries during the 2012 harvest season.{{Citation|title=Vintage: Napa Valley 2012 {{!}} WTTW Promos and Previews {{!}} PBS|url=http://www.pbs.org/video/wttw-specials-vintage-napa-valley-2012/|language=en-US|accessdate=2017-12-11}}
In 2017, Vianna's vines were almost affected by the October northern California wildfires.{{Cite news|url=http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/Massive-Wildfires-Devastate-Parts-of-Napa-and-Sonoma+County|title=Massive Wildfires Devastate Parts of Napa and Sonoma County, Burning Wineries and Vineyards {{!}} News {{!}} News & Features {{!}} Wine Spectator|last=Romano|first=Aaron|date=2017-10-09|work=WineSpectator.com|access-date=2017-12-11}}