Winemaking
Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wines
Since being founded in 1994, Paraduxx has earned acclaim as the only winery solely devoted to stylish Napa Valley blends. Artfully crafted to appeal to the modern palate, the visionary blends of the Paraduxx portfolio have established a reputation for their bold, expressive character and their food-friendly sophistication.
Every great tradition begins as an innovation. Duckhorn Wine Company originally created Paraduxx to allow its winemakers the freedom to explore other styles without detracting from Duckhorn Vineyards' focus on Bordeaux varietals. In 1994, Paraduxx sourced 4 tons of Zinfandel from the 100-year-old vines of Napa's Korte Vineyard. This Zinfandel was blended with Duckhorn Vineyards' own estate Cabernet Sauvignon, along with smaller amounts of Merlot and Petite Sirah to create the first Paraduxx vintage.
DAVID MARCHESI
Winemaker - Paraduxx
Born and raised in Northern California, David grew up in an Italian-American family in which the rich relationship between food and wine was a part of daily life. While earning a degree in history from the University of San Diego, David became fascinated with the impact of wine and spice on the shaping of early civilizations. He also began exploring an interest in horticulture and botany. These diverse interests, and a growing love of wine, led him to his first
winery position at Oakville's Cakebread Cellars. At Cakebread, David dedicated himself to the hands-on work of a winery. At the same time, he began studying viticulture and winemaking at Napa Valley College and through the University of California, Davis extension program.
Eager to broaden his experience, and his horizons, David went to Australia to work harvest for the renowned d'Arenberg Wines in 2001. After harvest, he traveled extensively, visiting over 100 wineries and all of Australia's major winegrowing regions, before returning to the U.S. to join the team at Sonoma's Gundlach Bundschu Winery. The following year, the opportunity to study wine chemistry at the University of Adelaide brought David back to Australia. During his second stint in the country, David focused on expanding his understanding of viticulture by working in the vineyards of Genesis Vineyards and Leabrook Estate. He also worked alongside winemaker Martin Shaw and Master of Wine Michael Hill Smith at Shaw and Smith Wines.
In 2003, David returned to Gundlach Bundschu as the cellar supervisor, a position created specifically for him, and was later named assistant winemaker. In January of 2007 he was promoted to associate winemaker for Gundlach Bundschu, and named winemaker for its sister winery, Bartholomew Park, where he was able to focus primarily on organically farmed, estate-grown Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. While at Gundlach Bundschu and Bartholomew Park, David refined his approach to blending, while at the same time immersing himself in the vineyards, working alongside noted vineyard manager and organic farming pioneer Phil Coturri.
"Working with a number of very talented people on two continents has shaped my understanding of winemaking and given me a unique perspective," says David. "Though I've learned a great deal from others, I've also followed my own path to explore my passion for wine and the art of the blend. I think this unique approach also echoes the stylistic ideals of Paraduxx. While there is a stylistic continuity that runs through our portfolio, each of our Napa Valley blends charts its own course, and sets its own benchmark."