Vintner Spotlight: Casa Piena Vineyards
June 5, 2012
Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley showcases a rotating collection of wines from vintner collective partners. Each month we spotlight one to get to know them a little better. For the month of June, we are featuring Mr. Carmen Policy of Casa Piena, who will be hosting The Artist’s Palette on June 23, 2012.
You may be familiar with Mr. Policy for his involvement with the National Football League. Policy, an Ohio native and attorney, joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1981 as Vice President and Council before becoming President and CEO in 1991. Throughout his time with the team, Policy played a key role in the 49ers Super Bowl victories in 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1995. After leaving the 49ers in July of 1998, Policy became a minority owner of the Cleveland Browns.
In 2002, the ultra-successful and influential authority of the gridiron decided to seek out a new challenge in quiet, agriculture-rich Napa Valley. He acquired the property for Policy Vineyards in 2003.
Policy, always a fan of fine wines, founded Casa Piena, with wife Gail Policy. Casa Piena, which means “full house” in Italian, is a nod to Policy’s large family which consists of “three of a kind” (his sons) and “two of a kind” (his daughters). Casa Piena’s inaugural harvest was in October of 2006. Policy Vineyards, in back-road Yountville, provides prime conditions for four different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon grown there…including Policy’s favorite, Clone 7. With the help of winemaker, Thomas Brown and Vineyard Manager, Jim Barbour, Casa Piena has become a “cult”
favorite…. producing excellent, well-balanced (and high-scoring) Cabernet Sauvignons.
Even though Policy has been successful in so many different realms, a visit to Policy Vineyards and Estate, hosted by Policy himself, revealed that he is an extremely sincere and genuinely hospitable and grateful person.
This week, Policy was gracious enough to take some time out of the vineyard to answer a few questions…
Describe Policy Vineyards using four words or less…
Unique gift from God
What is your most marked characteristic?
Problem solver- me personally
Wonderful Complexity – the vineyard
Walking through the vineyard makes you feel….
Humble and proud at the same time
What is the one topic you could talk about for days on end?
NFL experiences
Which living person do you most admire?
Mr. Daniel Rooney, Ambassador to Ireland and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers
If you only had one last sip of wine, what would you choose?
Casa Piena Cabernet Sauvignon because it reminds me of family
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having a family that is comprised of great human beings
What is your most treasured possession?
My family and my memories
Make reservations to experience Casa Piena wines at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley, or acquire them through Ma(i)sonry’s online store.
Please don’t forget to join us for The Artist’s Palette on June 23, 2012. Enjoy a curated gallery reception, followed by a wine-paired dinner hosted by Gail and Carmen Policy. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Posted in Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley
