La Sirena
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Calistoga, Napa Valley
People: Heidi Peterson Barrett
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Founded in 1994 by legendary Napa Valley winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, La Sirena began as a serendipitous opportunity. When a custom-crush Sangiovese project unexpectedly fell through, Heidi was left with a finished wine and a bold idea: why not launch a label of her own? With just 30 days to secure permits and design a label, she introduced La Sirena with 200 cases of Sangiovese and a vision for something uniquely personal.
The name La Sirena, Spanish for “the mermaid,” came from a deck of Lotería cards, the Mexican game of chance. Heidi and her husband, Bo Barrett, were instantly drawn to the card’s image—a symbol of beauty and mystery that reflected their love of the ocean and Heidi’s creative spirit. Artist and friend Michele LeBlanc brought the concept to life with a whimsical mermaid design inspired by Heidi herself.
Today, La Sirena remains a boutique winery producing just 2,500 cases annually. Based in Calistoga, where Heidi grew up, the wines are made with intention, care, and an unmistakable personal touch. While Cabernet Sauvignon remains the flagship, Heidi continues to explore new varieties and blends with the freedom and joy that come from owning her own label.
La Sirena is a reflection of Heidi’s values, imagination, and lifelong dedication to her craft. Each bottle captures her spirit and the sense of wonder that continues to inspire her work. It is a little bit magical and always delicious.
Heidi Peterson Barrett: The First Lady of Wine
Heidi Peterson Barrett is one of the most celebrated winemakers in the world. She is known for creating some of Napa Valley’s most iconic wines and has played a major role in shaping the region’s modern identity. Her credits include cult legends such as Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Grace Family, and Paradigm, along with later projects like Amuse Bouche, Au Sommet, Vin Perdu, and her joint venture Barrett & Barrett with husband Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena. Her wines are known for their balance, purity, longevity, and expressive soul.
Heidi’s love for wine began early. Her father, Dick Peterson, was a winemaker and scientist, and her mother, Diane, was an artist. Inspired by both fields, she found winemaking to be a natural fusion of science and creativity. She studied fermentation science at UC Davis and gained hands-on experience through internships and cellar work across the industry.
Her career took off in the late 1980s when she became an independent winemaker for Dalla Valle Vineyards. Her powerful yet elegant Cabernets, including the proprietary blend Maya, received widespread acclaim. The 1992 and 1993 vintages of Maya earned consecutive 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and fetched record-breaking bids at the Napa Valley Wine Auction. In 1992, she also began working on a small new project called Screaming Eagle. The 1992 and 1997 vintages of Screaming Eagle each received perfect 100-point scores as well. In total, Heidi has earned five 100-point scores from Parker, accolades that quickly propelled her to international acclaim.
Outside of winemaking, Heidi is a passionate adventurer. She is a licensed helicopter pilot, an avid scuba diver, and enjoys gardening, painting, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her life reflects the same curiosity and creativity that define her wines.
A Family Legacy
La Sirena has always been close to Heidi’s heart. Now, it is very much a family affair. Her two daughters Remi and Chelsea have joined her in carrying the winery into the next generation.
Remi Barrett, director of sales and marketing, grew up working summers at Chateau Montelena and later studied English Literature and Creative Writing at UC Davis. After graduation, she gained experience in hospitality and live music promotion before officially joining La Sirena in 2010.
Chelsea Barrett, co-winemaker for La Sirena’s sister label Aviatrix, also began her career early, working in vineyards and wineries as a teenager. After earning a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis, she completed internships in Austria, Australia, and Napa Valley, then rose through the ranks at Joel Gott Wines. Chelsea is now winemaker at Materra and works alongside Heidi on Amuse Bouche and Au Sommet.