The Discipline of Craft
Long before she earned the title of winemaker, Renée Ary was a student of “The Duckhorn Way.”
When Renée joined Duckhorn Vineyards in 2003, she immersed herself in the standards that had shaped the winery from its earliest days—that great wine begins in the vineyard, that elegance is achieved through restraint, and that continuity is intentional. In the cellar and among the vines, she studied the details: how fruit was handled, how decisions were weighed, how patience shaped the outcome.
For Renée, The Duckhorn Way was never a slogan. It was a standard. Vineyard-driven. Exacting. Collaborative. Rooted in respect for the land, for the craft, and for the people entrusted with carrying it forward. Those standards were shaped in no small part by Margaret Duckhorn.
Icon and Inspiration
Margaret’s presence at the winery was unmistakable. She led with conviction in St. Helena, across Napa Valley, and throughout the broader wine community. Whether serving as president of Napa Valley Vintners or chair of the Wine Institute, she championed leadership that was collaborative, generous, and quietly strong.
For Renée, Margaret was more than a founder; she was an example. Proof that excellence and grace could coexist. That example became part of the fabric of Duckhorn Vineyards, and part of Renée’s own professional compass, because The Duckhorn Way is as much about people as it is about wine.
Vintage by Vintage
Over the next two decades, Renée grew with the winery. From assistant winemaker to associate winemaker to becoming just the fourth winemaker in Duckhorn’s history, her rise reflected something deeper than ambition. It reflected wisdom and experience, earned harvest by harvest
Her first vintage in the role carried weight. The Three Palms Vineyard Merlot had long stood at the heart of Duckhorn’s identity. When her debut 2014 vintage was named Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year,” it felt less like a breakthrough and more like an affirmation—the philosophy she had studied and embraced was thriving in her hands. A few years later, when her 2019 Monitor Ledge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine of the Year,” it showed that The Duckhorn Way was not confined to one vineyard or variety, but expressed wherever care and conviction met exceptional fruit.
In 2025, this devotion to craft was acknowledged on the global stage when Duckhorn Vineyards was named one of the “World’s 50 Best Wineries” by Forbes/Virgin Wines. The criteria—heritage, longevity, mentorship, sustainability, and viticultural innovation—read like a reflection of the values that define Duckhorn Vineyards.
“Duckhorn’s rich history is something you feel every day when you work here,” Renée says. “The standards set decades ago—respect for the land, attention to detail, and a belief in elegance and balance—are the reason our wines are so beloved.”
Passing It On
Those who work alongside Renée know her passion for mentorship. More than eighty interns and young winemakers have trained under her guidance. She leads calmly, listens carefully, and believes knowledge should be shared. For Renée, The Duckhorn Way is not static, it is passed hand to hand, generation to generation. Now, as she steps into a broader leadership role as SVP, Luxury Winemaking & Executive Winemaker overseeing the winemaking teams across The Duckhorn Collection’s most celebrated wineries, her influence extends even further.
As we pause to acknowledge Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and the 50th anniversary of Duckhorn Vineyards, we celebrate Margaret and all the women who have paved the way in the world of wine. And we celebrate Renée, our steward of The Duckhorn Way for more than 20 years.
