A native of Burgundy, Stéphane Vivier’s old-world sensibilities are ideally suited for his role as winemaker for several Napa, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, and Mendocino wineries, including Hyde de Villaine and Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley. To Stéphane, the best winemaker is one who largely keeps his hands to himself, allowing the alchemy of nature to do what it does best. He learned this laissez-faire method of winemaking while growing up in Meloisey, Burgundy, at the feet of an elderly neighbor whose family had been making wine for centuries.