“I’m the only Colombian winemaker in the world, born and raised, trained, who is a grower and a winemaker as a job, man or woman. I wanted to connect people, my brand, to Colombia and to really just bring a more beautiful part of Colombia than what everybody knows Colombia for.” – Bibiana Gonzáles Rave, Cattleya Wines
The Marys chat with Bibiana González Rave, a force of nature in the world of wine — and the first Colombian-born, raised, and trained winemaker working in the United States.
Bibiana’s first sip of wine at age 11 led to a life in wine. At age 14 she declared she would be a winemaker. Even though wine is not grown or made in her native Colombia, she was determined to pursue her teenage dream of becoming a winemaker. A detour to studying chemical engineering didn’t deter her.
Bibiana followed a calling that led her across continents. She talked her way into a French enology school after 11 rejection letters, and built a career spanning nearly 30 harvests across France, South Africa, and California.
Her wines pay homage to her Colombian roots while reflecting the soul of the California vineyards she works with. Bibiana is also a member of one of the most beloved wine families, the Pisonis, who produced coveted wines from California’s Santa Lucia Highlands. In fact, when she first met Gary Pisoni, her father-in-law to be, he read her astrological chart and made a bold prediction. We’ll get the behind-the-scenes story on all that. But Bibiana has her own voice behind her Cattleya label, and we’re thrilled she’s here to share her story today.
Shared Notes Wine and Shared Notes Coffee
Wines tasted in this episode
- 2024 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
- 2023 Cattleya Chardonnay, Sonma Coast
- 2023 Cattleya “The Goddess” Pinot Noir, West Sonoma Coast
- 2022 Cattleya “The Initiation” Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands