Molly Lippitt was raised in the Sonoma Valley. After earning a degree in Biology, her plans for graduate school were rewritten completely by a job in a winery lab. The living science of wine was far more engaging than the prospects of higher education, and she was hooked. After working in the lab, Molly pursued cellar jobs that allowed her to physically connect with the process of making wine. Molly’s favorite aspects of winemaking are that it affords her ample time outside, and that wine is an otherwise impossible alchemy of land, weather, and time.

Before striking out on her own, Molly spent fifteen years working alongside many of California's most renowned and celebrated winemakers (Heidi Barrett, Philipe Melka, Julien Fayard, Mike Hirby, and Scott Rich). She credits this tutelage for honing her detail-focused, site-honoring winemaking style.

Molly currently acts as consulting winemaker for a handful of wine brands within Napa Valley.

1) Tell us a little about your background and journey into winemaking.

I graduated with a degree in biology with plans for a career as a botanist. I took a job in a winery lab the summer I was meant to be applying to grad schools, and my career took a hard left. After a year in the lab, I moved into the cellar, and have been working hands-on with winemaking ever since.

2022 DRY CREEK VALLEY GRENACHE BLANC

2) What is your current role and what does your day look like?

My current role is as a consulting winemaker. My work hours are project-focused, based on whatever is happening with the wines or the vineyards at the moment. Working as a consultant has afforded me the necessary flexibility to continue my career while also being a parent.

22 years in and I still look at the little guys with big puffy hearts in my eyes

3) What inspired you to become a winemaker?

I was, and still am, fascinated by the alchemy of the process - by the vast number of variables and the impacts changing just one of them will have. I love that mastery of the process alludes to control, but as this is agriculture there is truly very little that is under our control.

4) What are some of the most important skills for a winemaker?

Honed organoleptic skills are important, as well as a solid base in cellar work, but the skill that has served me best is intuition rooted in experience.

5) How do you think a winemaker can help drive marketing and sales personally?

I think winemakers can personalize the product, and help the market connect the brand with a story.

6) Define a good winemaker?

A good winemaker listens well, learns from mistakes,  acts with decisiveness, and excels at pragmatic flexibility.

7) What is the hardest part of a winemaker's job?

Sometimes just needing to be in two places at once.

8) What do you do when you are not working/making wine?

My kids and I enjoy Lake Tahoe year-round. I also love time in my garden, hiking, and DIY around the house.

9) What are the current challenges winemakers are facing according to you?

The pressures of climate change cannot be ignored. Concerns over water availability, potential extreme heat, and wildfires continue to challenge wine production in California.

10) What skill or topic you are learning currently in wine and why?

I've been paying attention to research about mediating extreme heat, as well as smoke taint removal. 

11) What is your idea of a good life?

A fulfilling career, a happy home life, and plenty of fun things to do when you're not.

12) Your favorite 2-3 wine books?

It's been a very long time since I read anything about wine that wasn't a technical paper or article.