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About

A Family Winery Six Decades in the Making



Ren & Marilyn Harris

met while attending high school in San Francisco in 1958. The couple managed to stay in touch through college and later married in 1965. At the time, Marilyn worked as a fourth-grade teacher while Ren worked as a general contractor. A few years later, wanting to start a family away from the fog in San Francisco, they decided to move up to Napa Valley where Marilyn’s family had farmed the land for two generations. In 1967, using money acquired through the sale of their San Francisco condo, the couple made a down payment on a prune orchard that they would convert into a thriving vineyard.





While Ren farmed the vineyard and worked as a real estate broker, Marilyn worked for Clos du Val where she learned from the legendary Bernard Portet. In 1975, the couple sold their vineyard and used the money to purchase the 55-acre property in Oakville that would later become Paradigm Winery. For the next 16 years, they farmed the land, selling grapes to different wineries in Napa Valley, before founding Paradigm Winery in 1991.

Heritage


Marilyn’s grandfather, Joseph (Giuseppe) Pelissa, immigrated from Liguria, Italy to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1902. Joseph went on to marry Marilyn’s grandmother, Mary Louise Petronave, in 1903 and purchased 35 acres of land in Napa Valley for a $10 gold coin. The son of farmers in Liguria, Joseph and his family worked the land, sustaining themselves on their own farming efforts. Up until Prohibition, the family grew grapes that they would use to make and sell their own wines. After Joseph’s passing in 1924, his son Andrew took over the farm and became the family’s main provider. Andrew, Marilyn’s father, went on to purchase 650 acres of land in Oakville and Yountville, which he used to farm grapes as well as other crops. He would go on to serve as Napa County’s Planning Commissioner for 14 years. Alongside the help of Ren and Marilyn, he played a key role in the creation of the Napa Valley Agriculture Preserve, which has allowed Napa to flourish into the farming community that it is today.

Ren’s great-grandfather, Juan Carrillo, arrived in California in 1769 with the Portola Expedition and went on to become the first commandant of the Presidio in San Diego. Ren is a 6th-generation Californian with deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Heritage


Marilyn’s grandfather, Joseph (Giuseppe) Pelissa, immigrated from Liguria, Italy to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1902. Joseph went on to marry Marilyn’s grandmother, Mary Louise Petronave, in 1903 and purchased 35 acres of land in Napa Valley for a $10 gold coin. The son of farmers in Liguria, Joseph and his family worked the land, sustaining themselves on their own farming efforts. Up until Prohibition, the family grew grapes that they would use to make and sell their own wines. After Joseph’s passing in 1924, his son Andrew took over the farm and became the family’s main provider. Andrew, Marilyn’s father, went on to purchase 650 acres of land in Oakville and Yountville, which he used to farm grapes as well as other crops. He would go on to serve as Napa County’s Planning Commissioner for 14 years. Alongside the help of Ren and Marilyn, he played a key role in the creation of the Napa Valley Agriculture Preserve, which has allowed Napa to flourish into the farming community that it is today.

Ren’s great-grandfather, Juan Carrillo, arrived in California in 1769 with the Portola Expedition and went on to become the first commandant of the Presidio in San Diego. Ren is a 6th-generation Californian with deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Community


Since the late 1960s, Ren and Marilyn Harris have been integral members of the local community, helping found, support, and advocate for several philanthropic and professional organizations dedicated to serving Napa Valley. In 1968, Ren, Marilyn, and Marilyn’s father Andrew Pelissa played a crucial role in the passing of the Napa Valley Agriculture Preserve, which protects agricultural lands from becoming developed into the urban sprawl that has transformed much of the Bay Area.

In 1972, Ren founded the California Growers Foundation to provide farm workers with access to affordable healthcare. Upon its founding, the company required 400 enrollments to begin offering healthcare coverage. On their first day, over 500 individuals, mostly agricultural workers, signed up to receive healthcare.

Ren and Marilyn, alongside other key wine industry figures, founded Napa Valley Grape Growers (NVG) from their living room in 1975. NVG’s advocation of fair grape pricing and protection of agricultural lands led Ren to lobby both the state government in Sacramento and the federal government in Washington, DC. Through this effort, the organization helped shape many of the industry standards and practices that remain intact to this day.

In 2002, the winery became an inaugural member of 1% for the Planet (Patagonia’s nonprofit affiliate), donating one percent of all revenue to nonprofits that promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

Community


Since the late 1960s, Ren and Marilyn Harris have been integral members of the local community, helping found, support, and advocate for several philanthropic and professional organizations dedicated to serving Napa Valley. In 1968, Ren, Marilyn, and Marilyn’s father Andrew Pelissa played a crucial role in the passing of the Napa Valley Agriculture Preserve, which protects agricultural lands from becoming developed into the urban sprawl that has transformed much of the Bay Area.

In 1972, Ren founded the California Growers Foundation to provide farm workers with access to affordable healthcare. Upon its founding, the company required 400 enrollments to begin offering healthcare coverage. On their first day, over 500 individuals, mostly agricultural workers, signed up to receive healthcare.

Ren and Marilyn, alongside other key wine industry figures, founded Napa Valley Grape Growers (NVG) from their living room in 1975. NVG’s advocation of fair grape pricing and protection of agricultural lands led Ren to lobby both the state government in Sacramento and the federal government in Washington, DC. Through this effort, the organization helped shape many of the industry standards and practices that remain intact to this day.

In 2002, the winery became an inaugural member of 1% for the Planet (Patagonia’s nonprofit affiliate), donating one percent of all revenue to nonprofits that promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

The Paradigm Family



 
Much has changed since the 1960s when Ren spent his days driving tractors, pruning vines, and battling early spring frosts. Life was simpler then—though perhaps not as exciting—when he and Marilyn sold all their grapes to various wineries across Napa Valley. Since then, Marilyn and Ren have been blessed over the years with the helping hands and hearts of many wonderful and talented people.
 


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Heidi Barrett
Founding Winemaker
Heidi was the very first winemaker at Paradigm and hand crafted every vintage through 2024. A Napa Valley native and a graduate of UC Davis, Heidi is the winemaker for some of Napa Valley's most highly-regarded wineries. Heidi's philosophy in making wines for Paradigm is simple: she feels that she is working with an extraordinary vineyard site that has been farmed impeccably for years. She lets the fruit from this vineyard express its quality and unique terroir with minimal intervention.
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Kate Walker
National Sales

Originally from Chicago (GO CUBBIES!!!), Kate moved to California to immerse herself in the wonders of Wine Country, and she never looked back. Little did she know that what was meant to be a 5-year educational excursion would turn into an adventure spanning two decades. Driven by her passion for food and wine, Kate has accumulated 20 years’ experience in the wine business, but it’s the great outdoors that keeps her in California. She enjoys exploring and traveling with her adventurous dogs, Wrigley and Georgie, who are always happiest running through the vineyards and greeting guests at the winery. When Kate isn’t traveling for the winery, you can find her gardening at home or exploring the mountains.
Mark Fasi
Winemaker
Well versed in winemaking and vineyard management, Mark’s interest in making wines places importance on the vineyard and all of the subtleties given by the terroir. Mark's winemaking approach has always been a non-invasive hands-on method.
Mark harbors a strong love for the mountains and the natural world that often leads him deep into those quiet places. He has been known to travel to the Himalaya and India with profound interest in eastern philosophies.
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Pedro Martinez
Cellar Master

Soy mexicano del estado de Oaxaca de una familia de campesinos y panaderos. Crecí sembrando maíz y vendiendo pan a los 18 años. Me vine al valle de Napa y empecé a trabajar en los campos de uvas por unos meces en una compañía. En 1990 llegué a mi segunda casa donde encontré unos patrones maravillosos, muchos amigos y compañeros de trabajo, y donde soy muy feliz. Asiendo con mucho amor mi trabajo y espero estar muchos años más en Paradigm.
Fernando Diaz
Vineyard Manager

Fernando was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. He began working for Ren Harris in 1994, helping to plant many vines that are still producing at Paradigm today.
An attentive student under previous Vineyard Manager, John Silva, for twelve years, Fernando now acts as shepard of the Paradigm vines, working hard to keep the vineyards here at Paradigm producing the highest quality fruit as possible.
Fernando lives on the ranch with his wife, Hilda, and their two children.
Mary Ann
Director of Sales and Hospitality

Mary Ann grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Business from the University of Georgia. Following her passion for food and wine she moved to Napa in 2012, and came on board in 2014 and now acts as our Director of Sales and Hospitality.
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Sabrenah Benson

Sabrenah first had Paradigm wines in Texas with a client who ordered Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon. Her background is in Wholesale Sales and Hospitality service. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, she and her partner took a road trip to work harvest in Napa and never looked back. Sabrenah hosts tastings Thursday through Monday, and when she’s not on the property, you can most likely find her in her garden, raising her three dachshunds and reading.
Jake Pickett
General Manager


The Original Crew

Ren, Marilyn, & Heidi
Greg Harris
Greg Harris
Hospitality

Greg was raised in San Francisco and followed his brother, Ren Harris, to the Napa Valley in 1967 at age 15. After working several harvests at local wineries he joined Ren and his brothers in a Vineyard management company. In 2009 Ren decided to open Paradigm's tasting room on weekends and brought Greg in to manage. When not working you can find Greg in the mountains camping and fly fishing for trout.

Sadly Greg passed away in 2025. He is missed every day.
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Carson Metzker
Hospitality

A former college lacrosse player turned wine professional, Carson Metzker brings a wealth of wine production knowledge to his hosting role at Paradigm. After moving to Napa Valley in 2020, Carson developed a passion for wine, leading him to work four harvests in production, making some of the best wines in the world. Originally from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Carson is an avid, lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan. His other interests include Bundesliga soccer, modernist literature, Star Wars, 2010s hip-hop, and Dragon Ball.
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Peter Zellman
Administrative Director

Originally from Mendocino County, Peter brings not only a strong passion of making wine more approachable for everyone but also a deep set love of Star Wars and mezcal.
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