Dawnine Dyer

Dawnine Sample Dyer
Dawnine Sample Dyer
Born	July 3, 1950 (age 76); California, United States
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, winemaker
Years active	1974–present
Known for	Introducing traditional champagne production techniques to California sparkling wine sector; Vice president and lead winemaker at Domaine Chandon; Founder of Dyer Vineyard

Dawnine Sample Dyer (born July 3, 1950) is an American entrepreneur and winemaker recognized for introducing traditional champagne production techniques to California’s fledgling sparkling wine sector during the 1970s.

Biography

Originally from California, Dyer earned a biology degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz before launching her career in 1974 at the Robert Mondavi Winery located in Napa Valley.

By 1976, she became part of the Napa Valley start-up Domaine Chandon, notable as the first French-owned sparkling wine enterprise in California. Charged with overseeing quality control, she worked closely with Domaine Chandon’s parent company, Moët & Chandon, and winemaker Edmond Maudiere to craft naturally fermented sparkling wines utilizing the classic Methode Champenoise. During a period when only a handful of U.S. sparkling producers existed—such as Korbel and Schramsberg—Dyer was instrumental in producing California’s inaugural sparkling wine from Pinot Meunier, a grape variety traditionally associated with Champagne. She also created a still wine from this varietal.

Throughout her 24-year tenure at Domaine Chandon, Dyer rose to the roles of vice president and lead winemaker, managing operations at the 400,000-case facility and liaising with its French parent company. In 1986, she played a key role in launching Domaine Chandon’s affiliate winery in Australia’s Yarra Valley and oversaw exports from its Argentine vineyard. During this time, she actively supported the establishment of Geographic Indications and Appellations of Origin for American wine regions, including the Napa Valley AVA.

Alongside her husband Bill, while at Domaine Chandon, Dyer planted a cabernet sauvignon vineyard within Napa’s Diamond Mountain District AVA, producing Bordeaux-style wines distinguished by their mineral complexity and rich berry notes. In 2000, she departed Domaine Chandon to dedicate herself fully to Dyer Vineyard, which yields approximately 400 cases each year. Wine critic Matt Kramer lauded their cabernets as "great," despite the modest scale of production.

The Dyers also act as winemakers for Sodaro Estate Winery in Napa. In 2005, they collaborated with former AOL CEO Barry Schuler and Tracy Strong Schuler to establish Meteor Vineyard—a cabernet sauvignon blend sourced from grapes cultivated on the Schulers' Coombsville vineyard. The inaugural vintage debuted in 2008. Renowned U.K. wine authority Steven Spurrier commended the 2005 Meteor release for its "smooth, spicy fruit" and "plush tannins."

Dyer has held prominent leadership positions including president of both the Napa Valley Vintners Association and Napa Valley Wine Technical Group, and was among the founding board members of Women for WineSense. She is widely acknowledged for advocating Geographic Indications specific to Napa Valley and has delivered presentations on this subject internationally. Additionally, she teaches within the UC Davis Graduate School of Management Wine Industry Executive program and serves on the board of Frog's Leap Winery. Dyer frequently participates as a judge in prestigious competitions such as the National Women's Wine Competition.

Married since 1981, Dawnine and Bill Dyer live full-time on their estate located in Diamond Mountain. Their wine enterprises are operated under Dyer Straits Wine Co.

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