Clark-Claudon: Napa Valley’s avian architects
Clark-Claudon: Napa Valley’s avian architects
By Tim Carl
In 1974 Tom Clark and Laurie Claudon, along with their newborn son, Josh, made their way to the Napa Valley. Their daughter, Briana, would join the family two years later. Both Clark and Claudon were graduates of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo who shared an avid interest in viticulture, winemaking and nature conservation.
The couple spent their honeymoon in the Peace Corps, volunteering and assisting farmers in South America. This experience allowed them to witness the transformative impact of agriculture and the profound connection between people and their environment, sparking an enduring love for the land. This passion would go on to lay the foundation for their future life in Napa Valley.
"Our time in the Peace Corps highlighted the tremendous power of education and leading by example," Clark said. "There are lessons to learn and wisdom to share, all of which can positively affect nature and the people depending on it."
Upon completion of their Peace Corps service, Claudon began teaching at alternative high schools while Clark worked at Souverain Vineyard Management Co., where he developed his expertise in vineyard management and planning. As they nurtured their growing family, the couple's dream of owning a vineyard started to crystallize.
In 1978, they founded the Clark Vineyard Management Co., signaling a new phase in their lives. Tom's proficiency in vineyard management attracted the attention of esteemed wineries such as Spottswood and St. Supery Winery. Their faith in his abilities established him as an innovative force in the industry.
It wasn't until 1989, however, that their dream of owning a property came to fruition. They discovered an untouched tract of land on the remote Howell Mountain AVA, located east of St. Helena. With their combined expertise and instinct, they identified this location as an excellent site for growing mountainside vineyards. They chose to plant on 16 acres, preserving the remaining 84 acres as natural habitat.
Clark explained that the site's features — shallow mountain soils, cool evening winds from nearby San Pablo Bay and ideal sun exposure — form a perfect setting for growing concentrated clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdotgrapes. The vineyard's terraces, double-planting approach and various elevations result in different harvest lots, each contributing to the nuanced character of their wines.
The first vintage of Clark-Claudon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was released in 1993. This was followed by the introduction of Wild Iris Sauvignon Blanc in 1997 and Eternity Reserve Estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 2009. The last vintage produced by the couple was in 2019, and in 2022 they decided to put their property up for sale.
“Tom and I have pivoted toward some new and meaningful endeavors,” Claudon said. “The decision to step out of the wine industry and sell our vineyard property is surely bittersweet, but our family is a busy one, full of adventures, passions and new vistas. It will be very hard to let go of the land we have cherished. Yet now it feels right to pass our vineyard and its surrounding forests to its next steward.”
As of May the property remains unsold. Making this decision, however, has freed the couple to dedicate more time to their other projects. Clark is the vice president of Napa Wildlife Rescue, a group committed to rehabilitating and releasing injured wildlife. Meanwhile, Claudon contributes to local initiatives aimed at preserving watersheds and oak woodlands. She also serves as the executive director of the Mennen Environmental Foundation.
For years Clark has had an interest in crafting aviary boxes. These are not typical birdhouses; rather, they are specially designed for specific types of flying creatures. The collection includes handmade wooden homes for bluebirds, barn owls, bats, bees, wood ducks and songbirds as well as perches for hawks and kestrels.
Clark's appealing yet functional bird boxes quickly garnered attention and appreciation from other vineyard managers and landowners, prompting him to share his creations. In 2011, the couple launched Clark's Sustainable Systems, offering consultation services and various aviaries to attract and house wild birds.
“Bird boxes work with nature rather than against it,” Cauldon said. “They replicate the types of cavities that trees would have provided if they were still there. By creating substitute homes, the boxes help increase the bird population that eats a natural diet of insects or rodents that might otherwise be mitigated by poisons or traps. Nature works within a chain of cascading species and habitats, each dependent on the next. Bird boxes fully support that process as well as Napa Valley’s biodiverse environment.”
Today Clark's bird boxes are a common sight throughout the valley. Their appeal lies not only in their aesthetics but also in the vital role their occupants play in managing vineyard pests.
“A barn owl family can consume 3,000 to 4,000 rodents in a single year,” Clark said. “And bluebirds eat a substantial number of insects. Both are cavity nesters, so they thrive in the bird boxes.”
According to Clark, bluebirds are so enamored by the boxes that a pair will often be seen waiting nearby when one isbeing built. As soon as he finishes, the birds swoop in and quickly set up house.
Clark also stresses the importance of other practices that promote healthy ecosystems in and around vineyards.
“Vineyards are essentially monocultures, so it's crucial to provide bird boxes, use a variety of beneficial cover crops, and preserve adjacent forests, meadows and wetlands to maintain balance,” he said.
In their nearly five decades in the region the couple has observed the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for both the vineyards and the multitude of creatures that call Napa Valley home. They have witnessed the impact of development on natural habitats and nesting sites and firmly believe in the need to restore and preserve these areas as much as possible.
“The Napa Valley is an extraordinary place that requires protection and thoughtful conservation,” Clark said. “Laurie and I are committed to ensuring that happens. And part of that means staying active and involved.”
Clark invites readers to stay involved by making a donation to Napa Wildlife Rescue by participating in their upcoming online auction, which will run from July 9 to July 23. He also encourages attending an upcoming concert by Paula West at the CIA Copia Center on July 16, with a portion of proceeds donated to the NWR. More information can be found at the website or by calling 707-224-4295
Napa Wildlife Rescue does such important work here. I am happy to be a volunteer for this organization, and encourage everyone to support them. Thank you, Tim Carl, for featuring Mr. Clark's involvement in NWR.