Freemark Abbey Winery, Napa

As the Estate Ambassador for Freemark Abbey Winery, Barry Dodds brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for wine to the team. Dodds serves as a spokesperson for the estate in cities all over the U.S. and abroad, sharing the long and storied history of the winery, its iconic vineyards and world-class wines.

A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Dodds’ interest in wine was piqued at an early age by a childhood neighbor who worked for the country’s top wine cooperative, KWV. He landed his first position in the beverage industry at age 18 at his hometown liquor store. Quickly recognizing the raw talent and desire in Dodds, the liquor store owner encouraged him to attend wine courses in order to advance his knowledge. As a result, Dodds began hosting tastings for local wine clubs and became known as a local expert in the field.

Dodds left the liquor store in 1989 to join the South African Navy, but the passion he developed for wine in Cape Town never faded. Although lacking in wine, the navy provided Dodds an opportunity to hone his photography skills, which would eventually lead him to Napa, California, to pursue a career as a professional photographer.
Surrounded by Napa’s vineyards and the industry he had fallen in love with as a young man, Dodds transitioned from photography and returned to the wine industry. He has served as an integral team member at some of the region’s most esteemed wineries, including St. Supéry, Cakebread Cellars, Sequoia Grove, the former Niebaum-Coppola, Miner Family Wines and Kendall-Jackson.

It was a landmark moment for Dodds when he was offered the opportunity to join the Freemark Abbey team in 2006. He had long held the winery in high regard, crediting its 1975 Cabernet Bosché, 1979 Chardonnay and 1973 Edelwein Gold Late Harvest Riesling with showing him the outstanding quality of Napa Valley wines.

Since joining the Freemark Abbey team, Dodds has developed a passion for aged vintages, inspired by the estate’s extensive wine library, which dates back to the 1960s.

He was named to his current position as Estate Ambassador in 2015. In his spare time, Dodds fronts a local blues trio, Brown Bag Blues Band, and plays open-mic nights while on the road. His other passions include photographing the places and people of Napa Valley, fly fishing, camping and smoking good cigars.

Show Notes:

• About 500 people came, fans, club members, wine trade retailers and restaurants etc. to view the newly renovated Freemark Abbey. [1:54]
• The winery was built in 1906 with a very secure structure and withstood all the earthquakes ever since then. [3:00]
• In 2006 when the Jackson family purchase the winery already have discussed the seismic retrofits [3:14]
• Celebrating 130th anniversary in 2016 completing the seismic & historical retrofits [3:32]
• The winery has never looked better. It is a beautiful treasure in North Napa Valley [5:54]
• An historical event happened in 1976 when Raymond Oliver have realized that California wines, Chardonnay of Freemark Abbey in particular was as good as french wines. It was only then that the under estimated California wines was taken on a serious note.  [7:50]
• Few people actually know before that in 1973 the Freemark Abbey Chardonnay won a taste off when half the wines competing was from Burgundy. [9:23]
• Freemark Abbey’s Chardonnay is grown in 5 different regions 3 of which is in Howel Mountains, Carneros & Rutherford to show up its natural characteristics, edge and warmth. [12:40]
• Ted Edwards a notable wine maker is very involve in the process. [14:45]
• Barry Dodds arrive in California from South Africa in 1981 and tasted Chardonnay and Cabernet from Freemark Abbey and fell in love with it and gained respect for California wines. [16:30]
• For the wine industry the mid 60’s was like a renaissance period in Napa valley as it was closed for 13 years during the prohibition. [19:00]
• California has a culture of wine making to create balanced wine that will age and become better and better – 21:20
• Freemark Abbey wines to rival the best wines in the world [22:10]
• Ted’s approach is always to create something special every single year [23:00]
• Balance is the key and always will be. [24:50]
• How to appreciate an older aged wine. [27:00]
• Cabernet needs to hit its 10 year mark before you drink it if you really want to get everything out of it. [28:00]
• Freemark Abbey is the perfect to be able to measure your pallet with it’s library of wine tasting. [29:59]
• Barry Dodds blue’s band. [32:20]