Photo by Matt Sayles
Mailynh Phan
CEO, RD Winery, Napa, CA
Napa’s First Vietnamese Winery Owner
Inspired by her Vietnamese heritage, Phan joined RD Winery in the Napa Valley, which originally exported wine to Vietnam, and expanded its offerings to the U.S. market and opening a tasting room. She has since opened its doors to everyone, turning it into a showcase for wines that pair well with Pan-Asian food, serving small plates and tasting flights that go beyond the customary Eurocentric pairings with the goal of being more inclusive and diverse. RD is the first Vietnamese-owned winery in the Napa Valley and serves as a custom crush, bottling and storage site for many smaller brands. Phan has an MBA from UC Berkeley and has written about the challenges of being an outsider hoping to disrupt the wine industry and says she feels privileged to have the opportunity to not only have a seat at the wine industry table but also to build a table of her own.
