Threatened by climate change, a California winemaker switches to carbon farming and hopes more vineyards join

Lail, then a young woman pursuing a career in finance, shifted back to wine by working for Robert Mondavi, a catalyst of Napa’s modern revival as a world-class wine region. She helped create Auction Napa Valley in 1981, ushering in an era in which Napa would, for better or worse, become identified with luxury and wealth. She partnered with famed Bordeaux vintner Christian Moueix to create Dominus and co-founded Merryvale winery with Bill Harlan, who went on to personify Napa cult wine with his own label. In 1995, Lail established her own winery, in which her daughters, Erin and Shannon, are partners.