Kimonos, ikebana, origami, and Japanese cuisine are not typically associated with Napa Valley. However, tucked away in the Oak Knoll District, Materra Cunat Family Vineyards brings wine and Japanese heritage together in an unforgettable way.
As someone with Japanese roots, I was drawn to Materra’s Japanese Cultural Celebration, an event blending tradition, food, and music. I found that the authentic Japanese cuisine, Materra’s Japanese wine series, and a live Koto band provided an unexpected and rare opportunity to connect with my heritage in Napa Valley.
In an interview, Kevin Krueger, Director of Consumer Sales, shared that the celebration was a dream of Miki Cunat, whose Japanese heritage is an integral part of Materra’s identity. “It is an opportunity to share her family heritage, culture, and Japanese-inspired wines with our guests and club members, who are truly like family to us,” he said. “The Japanese Cultural Celebration will continue to evolve and be a staple event at the winery.”
This memorable celebration piqued my curiosity about the winery’s unique roots. Intrigued, I wanted to learn more about Materra Cunat Vineyards and the inspiration behind its blend of Napa winemaking and Japanese influence.
Midwest Roots to Napa Soil
Krueger shared that Brian Cunat’s passion for agriculture began during his childhood while working on a Midwest farm. He developed a deep respect for the land and the importance of responsible farming.
“Brian and his wife, Miki, grew that passion through extensive travel–visiting renowned wineries, exploring vineyards, and savoring local cuisine and culture. And it was during their first visit to Napa Valley that the dream began to take shape,” Krueger said. “Captivated by the region’s natural beauty, deep sense of community, and world-class wines, Brian and Miki found the inspiration to turn their dream into reality.”
In 2007, Brian and his brother John purchased a 50-acre estate in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District as a long-term investment. “Inspired by his passion for wine and a lifelong dream of farming, Brian assembled a team of expert vineyard managers and winemakers to help bring the land to life,” Krueger said.
The property became a thriving vineyard planted with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. In 2014, the Cunat’s vision came to life with the completion of a cutting-edge winery and stunning tasting room to welcome guests and share their wines.
The Meaning Behind Materra
Even the name Materra carries thoughtful meaning. According to Krueger, Materra loosely translates to Mother Earth, symbolizing the force that makes farming and agriculture possible. “’Ma’ means mother, and ‘Terra’ means earth,” he explained. “Mother Earth has graced Napa Valley with an optimal Mediterranean climate and over half the world’s soil types, which makes it possible for us to produce some of the best wines in the world. We are truly grateful for what Mother Nature has provided us in Napa Valley. Now we need to be stewards of the land, so this beautiful part of the world can be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Where Hospitality Meets Heritage
Hospitality begins the moment visitors arrive. We were greeted in the parking lot with a glass of wine and welcomed into the tasting room. “The Cunat family embedded the slogan, ‘Bringing People Together’ in the winery culture, and this is a motto we live by,” said Krueger. “We welcome our guests as if they were being welcomed into our home.”
The tasting room’s interior reflects a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian influences. Simple, finely crafted wood and stone elements, clean lines, and contemporary touches create an inviting atmosphere. Harmony with nature is also central to the design. “Expansive windows letting in lots of natural light contribute to a warm feeling that hopefully puts our guests at ease and helps them focus on the wines in the glass,” Krueger said.
Krueger emphasized that Materra’s mission goes beyond making wine; it is about building a community, crafting wine with intention, and creating long-lasting relationships. “Sharing the Materra story with every guest is important to us,” he said. “That means telling the family story, explaining our why, and doing everything with great intention. As an estate winery, most of our wines come from the vineyards that are just steps away from our tasting room.”
In a region filled with renowned wineries, Krueger believes that Materra’s warm and gracious hospitality, uniquely diverse selection of wines, and individually curated tastings set their tasting experience apart. “Each tasting is carefully curated to match your palate and preferences. It is a personalized journey through exceptional wines, guided by a host dedicated to making your experience memorable.”
Winemaker Chelsea Barrett helps bring the connection between land and glass to life. “She crafts wine that truly represents both the varietal and the vineyard,” Krueger said.
The Winemaker Behind the Wines
Chelsea Barrett comes from one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemaking families. Both of her parents grew up in the wine industry and have continued their legacies. Her father, Bo Barrett, followed in the footsteps of his father, Jim Barrett, the founder of Chateau Montelena. Her mother, Heidi Barrett, is a celebrated winemaker with an impressive list of clients, as well as her own labels, including La Sirena, Amuse-Bouche, and Paradigm.
Barrett earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. She went on to intern at Mayer am Pfarplaz in Austria and Two Hands Wines in Australia’s Barossa Valley. Subsequently, Barrett returned to Napa Valley, where she spent a harvest at Opus One, followed by work with Joel Gott Wines. She also collaborated with her mother on wines for Amuse Buse and Aviatrix. In 2019, Barrett joined Materra as head winemaker.
Crafting Wines with Precision and Purpose
Barrett describes her winemaking style as classic, precise, and elegant. “I strive for balance, purity of fruit, nice acidity, and overall finesse.” She also shared her thoughts about the vineyard’s location and terroir, which influence the character of her wines.
“It is a big influence on what varietals we are growing and producing,” she said. “We mainly grow Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc at our estate because they are the best expression of this site. I really love blending, and I think all the wines reflect my own style.”
Materra also cultivates some less common varietals for Napa Valley, including Viognier and Albariño. “It is a great location for it and the wines are really unique and delicious,” Barrett said. However, she sources grapes for Cabernet from other vineyards in the valley. “Our location is a bit too cool,” she explained. Barrett’s guiding principle is simple: “A great wine requires great grapes!”
Sustainability in Winemaking
Sustainability is a high priority for Materra, reflected in the winery’s Napa Green certification. From paper products and shipping materials to cleaning products and winemaking methods, the team strives to use environmentally responsible practices.
Barrett noted that the winery is 75% solar powered. And their conservation efforts do not stop there. “Automatic pump overs and modern equipment drastically cut down on water use,” she said. “We use lightweight glass, and all our packaging is recyclable. I don’t use a high percentage of new oak on any of our wines, so I am reusing all our barrels across multiple vintages.”
The estate vineyard farms organically and will be certified in 2026. Additionally, Materra established milkweed and wildflower banks to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Exploring Materra’s Japanese-Inspired Wines
I wanted to learn about the inspiration for Materra’s Japanese series of wines. Barrett explained that while she wanted wines to pair nicely with Japanese food, she also believes that good wines need to be complete and balanced so people may enjoy them with or without food.
Barrett said the development of the Japanese series involved a lot of thoughtful tasting and experimentation. “We did eat a lot of styles of Japanese food to try out ideas and preferences,” she explained. Their goal was to create wines that reflected varietal character, while also complementing a range of Japanese flavors and textures.
One of those wines is Shinkan, a minimally oaked Chardonnay. “It is a fairly delicate style with tropical aromatics,” Barrett explained. “It’s really great with sushi and other seafood.”
Another, Yoshino, is a rosè of Malbec. “It makes a beautiful cherry blossom pink color,” Barrett said. “It’s usually my favorite pairing with trickier savory and sweet pairings like sukiyaki or tonkatsu.”
For the flagship wine, Dogura, she chose Cabernet Franc. “It has a lot of forest-like character,” she said, “and I like how it pairs with mushroom and wild game dishes.”
Tasting the Japanese Series of Wines
I was eager to taste this distinctive series of wines. Every detail, from the winemaking to the naming, reflects a sense of purpose and respect for tradition.
The first wine I tasted was the Shinkan (“quiet forest”) Chardonnay. Since I have never been a fan of Chardonnay, I was surprised to fall in love with this delicate, fresh, and well-balanced wine. Its crisp, fruity notes and understated elegance made me realize that maybe I had just never had the right Chardonnay.
The next wine I tasted was the Yamabuki Albariño, whose name was inspired by the Kerria japonica, or the bright yellow Japanese rose, which represents the wine’s hue and floral character. I enjoyed this refreshing, medium-bodied, slightly acidic wine with a hint of citrus.
The Yoshino Rosé, a blend of Malbec and Grenache, was fresh and crisp with fruity notes that make this the perfect wine to enjoy on a warm day. And, I loved the story behind the name. This rosé is named after Yoshino Mountain in Japan, a World Heritage site preserved by Miki Cunat’s great-grandfather. The delicate pink hue represents the 30,000 cherry trees blossoming on the mountain’s slopes.
The Ogama Grenache was smooth and layered, with vibrant red fruit, subtle spice, and a hint of floral notes. This wine’s playful name is inspired by the yõkai from Japanese folklore, an enormous, long-lived toad that breathes rainbows.
In addition to the Japanese series, Materra offers a broad portfolio of wines that showcase the diversity of Napa Valley’s terroir. Their white wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Their red wines include Petit Sirah, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
A Fusion of Cultures, A Celebration of Wine
At Materra Cunat Vineyards, guests enjoy more than just a wine tasting; they are welcomed into a thoughtful fusion of culture and winemaking. The team’s vision brings together Japanese heritage and Napa Valley terroir, honoring both through its Japanese wine series and a broader portfolio that celebrates the region’s unique character. In a valley renowned for its prominent names and expansive estates, Materra offers an intimate, peaceful experience where tradition and innovation come together in every glass.
