Napa’s Markham Vineyards is one of few wineries to have women leading both the winemaking team and vineyard management. Kimberlee Nicholls, one of the first women winemakers in Napa Valley, started at Markham in 1993 and began leading the winemaking team in 2001. She’s joined by assistant winemaker Abigail Horstman and enologist Patricia Sciacca.
Vineyard & sustainability manager Taylor Abudi and Senior Operations Manager Adrienne Uboldi manage the health and efficiency of the vineyards, committed to sustainability today and for the future.
Markham offers food-friendly premium wines with a focus on bringing people together. Their wines are elegant yet approachable with a portfolio of classic varietals, blends, and vineyard-designated options.
“People who are passionate about exactly where their food comes from also want to know exactly where their wine comes from,” says Nicholls.
Markham sources their grapes from 260 acres of estate vineyards spanning diverse growing climates and terroir across Napa Valley, which influences the unique flavors of each wine they produce. The winery has been sustainable for more than 10 years and is certified as both Napa Green Land & Winery and Fish Friendly Farming.
Kimberlee Nicholls has been making wine and history for nearly half of Markham’s 45 years in Napa Valley.
“’Woman winemaker’ was a label we had to wear all the time in this male-dominated industry,” says Nicholls. “But we do need to continue talking about it and lifting each other up. We are still blazing the trail.”
Nicholls’ leadership and successes have paved the way to build a full team of talented women winemakers and vineyard specialists at Markham. With Merlot as their flagship, they continue to innovate in the cellar and in the vineyard, always seeking the most exceptional expression of the terroir.
At Markham, women are advancing the industry and making history every month.
