Under the Hood: Joanne Dickenson DePuy, the Woman Who Helped Change Napa Forever

By Tim Carl

Before we dive into “Under the Hood,” a quick reminder that Napa Valley Features is a subscriber-funded publication. Without continued support from paid subscribers, offerings like “Under the Hood” may need to be scaled back or could disappear altogether. If you value our ad-free conflict-free veteran-owned local journalism, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. For as little as 16 cents a day, you can help keep local news independent, relevant and sustainable.

The Spotlight

Welcome to "Under the Hood," our exclusive Saturday series for Napa Valley Features paid subscribers. Today, we explore the untold story of Joanne Dickenson DePuy, the unsung hero behind Napa Valley's rise to global prominence. At 97, DePuy remains a vital link to the pivotal moment in 1976 when Napa's wines shocked the world during the Judgment of Paris. Her role as a connector, logistical mastermind and advocate ensured that California wines reached Paris and took their rightful place in history.

Additionally, we’re providing insights from our economic dashboard covering local Napa Valley, U.S. and global markets.

In addition, we feature "What We're Reading," a section with a handpicked list of recent articles that provide a variety of viewpoints on issues important to our community.