Memento Mori Winery—Calistoga, Napa Valley
Memento Mori Winery, renowned for its high-end Cabernet and a devoted cult following, approached us in 2020 seeking PR and brand messaging support. Despite their niche success, the winery aimed to be recognized as industry leaders, defining new paths for winemaking, wine culture, and business thought leadership in Napa Valley. While they came to us with a healthy dose of skepticism about the potential impact of PR on their established brand, our partnership has proven transformative as we have achieved major milestones and continue to strive for new heights for the winery.
Background
Together, we unearthed the essence of Memento Mori—the "Remember to Live" ethos. This philosophy, rooted in embracing life's uncertainty with verve and passion, became the cornerstone of our storytelling strategy. We aimed to convey not just the excellence of their wines but also the profound connection between the winery founders and their mission to spread warmth and pleasure through wine.
We also honed in on winemaker Sam Kaplan's winemaking talents in our media strategy. Sam has become known as a luminary winemaker in Napa, and his expertise has garnered recognition from influential wine publications and critics. Memento Mori’s wines have earned multiple 100-point scores and featured prominently in esteemed publications such as Robb Report, Wine Spectator, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, People, and Worth.
The placement of Memento Mori's wines into Hollywood films has added a touch of glamour, expanding the winery's reach beyond traditional enthusiasts.
Memento Mori faced the challenge of expanding influence in a competitive Napa Valley wine landscape. Beyond increasing sales, the winery aspired to transcend its niche, becoming thought leaders within the American wine industry and offering an unparalleled “luxury-without-taking-itself-too-seriously” experience to its clients beyond excellent Cabernets.
The Challenge
Our Approach
Results
Memento Mori evolved from a hidden gem to a trailblazer in Napa Valley. Their "je ne sais quoi" has became admired by peers and competitors alike, and has grown their loyal client following. Success paved the way for team expansion and the acquisition of a historic 17-acre estate in Calistoga—a tangible testament to their journey from a cult following to a cultural icon.
In the ever-changing landscape of Napa Valley, Memento Mori stands as a celebration of life. Their story continues as they solidify their place as cultural, winemaking, and business leaders—a legacy of embracing every moment.
Below is a selection of recent media placements Glodow Nead has secured.
