Some people start making wine from the start as planned, and others eventually move into the role of winemaker. Nikhila Narra Davis did the latter since she started as a grape grower, and with the creation of Kalasi Cellars, Nikhila started making wine and has been making award-winning wine since then. We are happy to feature Nikhila Narra Davis as this month’s featured Winemaker Profile.
- What did you do before becoming a winemaker?
I worked in finance and taught public relations at a college.
- What is the toughest challenge about being a winemaker in Texas?
Every growing season comes with its challenges, so you always have to be able to easily adapt to what may arise.
- Is winemaking an art or a science or both?
Winemaking is definitely both an art and a science. At its core, it’s grounded in science, but there are so many variables involved that bring an artistic touch to the process as well.
- What is your favorite food and wine pairing?
Goat biryani and Kalasi Cellars Teroldego.
- If you didn’t make wine, what would you do?
Something in culinary.
- What first attracted you to winemaking and how long have you been doing it?
Working at a winery in Napa Valley made me fall in love with the science of wine, and meeting Greg, my husband, pushed me off the ledge to start making wine for our brand. I have been making wine for 11 years.
- What is the most common question you are asked as a winemaker?
How did you get into winemaking?
- After a long day in the winery or vineyard, what do you do?
Knit.
- What’s the greatest part about being a winemaker?
Sharing it with customers and experiencing their excitement when they taste a new release.
- What is your winemaking philosophy, that is, what are you trying to achieve with your wines?
I began as a grape grower, and from the start, our focus has always been on letting the fruit shine. To achieve our winemaking goals, it’s essential that we grow the highest quality fruit. Quality wine starts in the vineyard, where every decision, from soil health to vine management, plays a role in the final product. We only use grapes that we grow ourselves, as we are fully estate-grown, which means there’s no fallback if we don’t grow good grapes. By prioritizing the best possible fruit, we ensure that the natural flavors, aromas, and character of the grapes are fully expressed in our wine, resulting in a more authentic and refined experience in every bottle.
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