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Philosophy
Revana Estate was founded in 1997 by Houston Cardiologist, Dr. Madaiah Revana. His vision to produce world-renowned, site-specific wines from exceptional vineyards is realized in three remarkable brands, each named on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list.
Our Team
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Dr. Madaiah Revana
As I reflect on the past, I have accomplished much in life due to a nurturing and supportive family, self-discipline, and a determination to give maximum effort to everything I undertake.
It started with a commitment to learning and education. I moved away from home at a young age to live with my brother so I could focus on my studies. I was fortunate to live with another brother while in university so I could continue to study hard. I discovered a passion for cardiology and received a scholarship to attend Mysore Medical College, one of the best medical schools in India. My dedication and their sacrifice paid off, and I graduated medical school as Valedictorian in a class of 224 students.
I was accepted for a three-year residency in internal medicine in New York. This was an uncommon accomplishment because international medical school graduates were required to spend four years in residency. After New York, I held positions in Philadelphia and Dallas and then joined a private medical practice in Houston. I learned about wine from fellow physicians, which became my hobby.
I started looking for a vineyard in Napa Valley and wanted raw land to develop it from scratch and learn about grape growing. I purchased a beautiful place on the west benchland in Saint Helena and recruited winemaker Heidi Barrett and viticulturist Jim Barbour. We planted it in 1998 and our inaugural release of 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon was featured in 2004 Cabernet issue of Wine Spectator. Our 2007 vintage was named the #4 wine in the world.
My love for Burgundies led me to Oregon and winemaker Lynn Penner Ash in 2005 where I came across a property in its third leaf. We built a winery and hospitality center and named it Alexana after my daughter.
I went on a wine country adventure to Argentina in 2008 to taste the local wine and visited The Vines of Mendoza in the Uco Valley. The region was intriguing - alluvial soils in high altitude, yet a temperate climate. We opened Corazón del Sol winery in 2014 and produced our first vintage. I later became the first vintner to produce GSM Rhône varietals in Argentina.
Within ten years, I created thriving wineries in three of the world's most collectible wine regions. I continue to be inspired and contemplate the future.
Consulting Winemaker
Thomas Rivers Brown
In 2011, Thomas Brown joined Revana Family Vineyard as consulting winemaker. A native of South Carolina, Thomas followed his interest in wine to the Napa Valley after completing college. His early days in the valley took him through a number of small wineries but his winemaking career began at Turley Wine Cellars where he was the assistant winemaker through 2001.
Best known for the Cabernet Sauvignons that he has crafted for Schrader Cellars, Thomas has also received numerous accolades from the press. In 2010, Food & Wine Magazine named him Winemaker of the Year. Additionally, he is one of only a handful of winemakers globally to have received multiple 100-point wine scores from both The Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate.
At Revana, Thomas is helping to lead a renewed focus on increasing wine quality in both the vineyard and winery. His non-interventionalist winemaking style allows the wines to truly showcase the Revana Estate Vineyard.
Vineyard Manager
Jim Barbour
In his 30-plus year career, Jim Barbour has planted and managed some of Napa Valley’s most regarded vineyards, worked with its most respected winemakers, and he has been essential to the creation of some of its most highly rated wines.
Jim is an outdoorsman and devoted fly fisherman. When he’s not working in a vineyard, he can be found barbecuing in his backyard, relaxing at his Idaho home, or knee-deep in the running waters of a stream filled with rainbows and browns.
Winemaker
Geoff Davies
Geoffrey Thomas Davies grew up in the northern end of the Napa Valley. He began working for Thomas Brown at Outpost Estate in 2013. Here he found his passion and honed his winemaking skills. In the summer of 2019 Geoff took on the role of winemaker at Revana winery.
Geoff’s winemaking Philosophy is simple. Great wine begins in the vineyard. He likes to create wines that are expressive of each site. He believes with minimal intervention and plenty of patience, the vineyard to reveal itself in the wine. The personality of the vineyard will showcase itself in the bottle and develop over time. In Geoff’s free time he enjoys playing guitar and spending time with his wife and two children.