20th February, 2018
by
Natalie Wang
Married to Bruce Cakebread, president of Napa’s famous Cakebread Cellars, Rosemary Cakebread is making a name for herself in her own right. Heading up the acclaimed winery Gallica in St. Helena in Napa Valley, Cakebread makes a diverse repertoire of wines from Rhone varieties to Albariño. But what made her stand out is her restrained and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. A graduate of University of California Davis’ Viticulture and Enology programme, Cakebread honed her skills at several cellar jobs and later for nine years as winemaker at Spottswoode Vineyard and Winery, prior to founding Gallica in 2007. In an interview with dbHK, the winemaker chats about her passion for art, the dark side of wine industry, and her dream outdoor summer dinner party.
What bottle sparked your love of wine?
Well aged Cabernet Sauvignon – too many wonderful ones to mention.
What would you be as a wine?
A vintage rosé champagne.
Where are you the happiest?
The harvest in Napa Valley. There is no better time of year to be immersed in winemaking with a singular focus.
What’s your greatest vice?
Art galleries and anything from the wonderful Model Bakery in St. Helena, Napa Valley, my hometown.
What’s on your wine bucket list?
I love to travel and South Africa, the south of England, and Israel are all on my future wine region “must-see” list.
What is the best and worst thing about the wine industry?
The wine world is a very small community with warm and interesting people. Worse thing: Styrofoam.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A comfortable outdoor summer dinner with the guest list consisting of friends old and new, my tasting group of over thirty years, my children and family. My husband Bruce Cakebread would plan the menu and cook. I love being the sommelier. Vegetables and flowers from our own garden, and most importantly fairies to drop in and wash the dishes.
Which wine would you like to be served at your funeral?
Ouch. No funeral, just a big party. Bring your own bottle to share!