Joining her father in 2010 after over two decades in the energy industry before that, Mia Mascarin became the fourth generation in the family wine business under its 32 Winds label.
Today, after the recent launch of its Mascarin Wines portfolio, which focuses on family owned or controlled single-vineyard wines and sustainable and organic farming practices, Mascarin says that her job description is “facilitating happiness and collaboration among my team members for the ultimate goal of producing seriously delicious wines, and curating fun ways to experience them.”
The winery recently hosted a pivotal industry panel at its idyllic creekside tasting room off Dry Creek Road, which focused on climate change and alternative grape varieties. Ana Carolina Quintela, the Sonoma County correspondent at Decanter, moderated the event. She was joined by Scott Schultz, of Jolie-Laide Wines; Sam Bilbro, of Idlewild Wines; and Mascarin winemaker Matt Taylor, also of Ink Grade & Matt Taylor Wines. The event explored and tasted nontraditional varieties like Trousseau Gris, Timorasso and Melon de Bourgogne, all indicating that California has microclimates suitable for broader experimentation that should be welcomed and celebrated.
Since 2025, Mascarin has been replanting its Angelo Vineyard, led by Taylor with the aim to transition to Loire varieties. Mascarin says this is the winery’s future. “Lesser-known varieties have long existed in California but are now experiencing a real resurgence,” she said. “Winemakers like Scott, Sam and Matt are helping bring these nearly forgotten grapes back into focus, and what they’re doing reflects exactly what today’s consumers are hungry for.”
Amber Turpin: How did you get into this work?
Mia Mascarin: I unwittingly followed my father into it, who followed his father and grandfather before him.
Did you ever have an “aha” moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
When travelling through the Loire Valley and visiting local vignerons, I tasted a wine made by Benoit Courault—a Pineau d’Aunis blend that blew my mind with its fruit and spice complexity and sheer elegance. Benoit farms his organic vineyards with a horse and plow!
What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
Mascarin sauvignon blanc.
Where do you like to go out for a drink?
Fern Bar in Sebastopol.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking—besides fresh water?
It’s a toss-up between a blend of lemon and pineapple juices with turmeric, and a cold Vermentino. Need both for sustenance.
Mascarin Family Wines, 1010 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg. 707.433.1010. mascarin-wines.com
