SIX QUESTIONS WITH BRUCE NEYERS

Bruce Neyers’ roots in Napa Valley run deeper than most. He and his wife Barbara married while they were both students at the University of Delaware. Bruce's brief stint in the Army took them to San Francisco in 1970, and it was there that he became drawn to wine. He worked at a French wine importing company before moving into winemaking at Mayacamas Winery in 1972. He then spent 17 years at Joseph Phelps Vineyards before launching Neyers Vineyards in 1991. Concurrently, Bruce also accepted a position as national sales manager for Berkeley importer Kermit Lynch. Today he divides his time between these two positions.

Barbara and Bruce Neyers

Bruce was a key contributor to Wine Speak 2018. We recently caught up with him to talk about his journey and get his impressions on Wine Speak:

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Buy more vineyard land in the Napa Valley, no matter the difficulty.

What has been your biggest joy working in the wine industry? 
The variety of tasks I've learned to wrestle with.

What advice are you glad you did not take? 
A friend told me that working for Kermit Lynch was a bad idea and I should decline the offer.

After so many years in the business what keeps you excited and motivated?
The variety of tasks and responsibilities. 

If you were stuck on an island and could have 1 bottle of wine, what would it be? 
Maxime Magnon Corbières, Tempier Rouge, or Vieux Télégraphe Rouge. C'mon, I deserve three bottles.

What was your impression of the inaugural Wine Speak in 2018?

It was very well organized, well developed, and well done.