Dawn Martella, Winemaker

Dawn Martella is currently winemaker for Karmère Vineyards and
Winery, a 6500-case facility in the heart of California’s
Shenandoah Valley. Dawn’s emphasis on vineyard expression and
understanding of yeast attributes and barrel contributions
results in carefully crafted, award-winning wines. A relative
newcomer to the winemaking industry, Dawn’s passion for her art
is evident in the subtle complexity of her wines. Prior to her
relationship with Karmère, Dawn and her husband, Richard, were
part owners in another local winery, where she served as both
General Manager and Assistant Winemaker.


The wines produced by Karmère include Viognier, Syrah, Barbera,
and Zinfandel varietals. Dawn and her husband, a winegrower,
especially enjoy time with their family and friends. A farmer at
heart and an avid gardener, she can often be found walking the
vineyards to see what the grapes are doing. Dawn also enjoys
hiking, kayaking, and motorcycling.


As a country girl growing up in Grass Valley, Dawn Martella
always wanted to be a winemaker. Fate intervened in the most
unlikely of places: While taking a college welding class.
Martella recalls, “The instructor gave me a bottle of wine from
his vineyard. Since I already had a crush on him, at that point
the sky opened and a beam of light illuminated him. I think there
were angels singing in the background, too.” The instructor
became her husband; as a viticulture and plant science teacher,
he helped spark her journey. After working on small productions,
she initially turned down Karmère owner Marilyn Hoopes’ offer to
become winemaker because of the sheer size, but a pep talk from
her husband convinced her to reconsider. “And I’m glad I did,”
says Martella. “I just love being here and doing what I do.”
Martella is now approaching her 11th harvest at Karmère, and is
deeply passionate about all aspects of winemaking.


Every winemaker does things a little differently; Martella says
she likes to focus on varietal character. “I want to taste those
elements that make Barbera, Grenache, Zinfandel, etc., taste the
way they are.  When I walk through the vineyard, I taste the
whole cluster, because it tells me what the wine wants to be.” Of
all the aspects of winemaking, walking the vineyard prior to
harvest is her favorite. Says Martella, “There’s a welcoming
peace to the vineyard that draws me, and I’m always at my
happiest touching the vines and watching their progress. Someone
once quoted ‘how can one be an atheist in the vineyard, when you
find yourself in the presence of the Divine?’”