About Vice Versa

Vice Versa Wines has always stood for rigorously crafted wines from some of Napa Valley’s most revered and historic vineyards. But our time in this place has taught us so much more about the role of wine in our lives. Wine is a confluence of nature’s gift and the passions, labors and dreams of the people who mold and shape it. And fine wine is more than liquid in a glass; like music and the arts, it conjures emotion, inspiring and connecting us to one another. At its most powerful, it is a catalyst for deep and abiding friendships.

Patrice & Samantha Breton

Our Story

History

Before founding Vice Versa Wines in 2003, Patrice Breton thoroughly immersed himself in both the study and vocation of winemaking, attending enology and viticulture classes at UC Davis and working for several years alongside the influential California winemaker, Paul Hobbs. Captivated by the unlimited potential of Napa Valley and its unshackled approach to wine, the Canadian native determined this would be the ideal place to set down his wine roots. Patrice’s hands-on experience and natural curiosity led him to form relationships with some of the most esteemed vineyard owners in Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast, giving him rare access to fruit from highly sought-after sites throughout the region. A student of history, science, art and culture, Patrice has guided Vice Versa since the beginning, pushing the envelope and relentlessly honing in on creating the finest wines and wine experiences possible.

Vision

We believe in allowing the essence of our vineyards to shine through. We strive to craft fine, world-class wines that are distinctive expressions of their regions. Wines that are hedonistic and seductive, but so authentic they speak of their grape varietals, individual vines, soils, climates, and the people who help create them.

“There is an undeniable truth in Napa Valley terroir. There is a sense of place in this valley, these hills. The vineyards we work with are first class and we don’t take our collaboration with them lightly. We feel an intense responsibility to represent their depth, history, and unmatched quality in a way that truly expresses them. These sites are farmed to perfection with every detail considered and no shortcuts ever taken.”

Every decision has significance. Like a sculptor, we start with the most pristine material available, then thoughtfully refine it until the shape of something more beautiful is revealed. We start with some of the most highly acclaimed vineyards in the world. During the growing season we identify the strongest vines to isolate the fruit at harvest. The fruit is picked just as it achieves phenolic maturity while the flavors are ripe but still fresh. From these sorted clusters, only the ideal berries make it to fermentation. We prefer a cool fermentation and long maceration to gently extract the purest fruit and tannin. We separate the free run and press wine to evaluate later. After 22 months of aging, only the best barrels make Vice Versa. The best of the best make BBS. The best of the BBS make Magnificent Seven. This draconian approach to classification is rarely taken as it leaves tiny yields, but we find what remains is the purest expression of a vineyard’s identity and in turn, the wine’s spirit. We consider these wines a work of art that we wish to share with our friends while spreading joy, depth, provenance, and our passion.

“Vice Versa has had some incredible wins in the wine world. The kind that let us know that we are on the right path in our pursuit of making some of the best wines in the world, and that we must continue to push ourselves to new heights. No matter what we accomplish, I will always endeavor to surpass it, for that is how I can best honor those who have come before me, and those who have yet to follow.”

Our job is to uncover a vineyard’s natural personality and give it the stage to express itself and shine.

Home at Last

Our vision for Vice Versa Wines has always included having a home of our own in Napa Valley. With MysteronsMysteronsOur flagship cuveé from our estate vineyard in Calistoga of same name, our vineyard and soon-to-be estate winery in the western foothills of the Calistoga AVA, we are on the cusp of realizing this dream. Here we will continue our work of creating WinesWines that represent the purest expressions possible of the extraordinary vineyards in which they are grown, with more control, focus and rigor than ever before. Our home will also allow us to pursue another goal, which is to create a place where art and artists in their many variations can flourish alongside wine. MysteronsMysteronsOur flagship cuveé from our estate vineyard in Calistoga of same name will welcome musicians, painters, filmmakers, and others in a setting where our guests can experience the synthesis of wine and art. We cannot wait to share it with you.