Podcast Summary: Crafting Excellence: Billo & Pinto Naravane’s Bold Journey from Tech to World-Class Winemaking

Episode: Crafting Excellence: Billo & Pinto Naravane’s Bold Journey from Tech to World-Class Winemaking
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Podcast: Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Going Big! with Kevin Gentry, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Billo (Billow) Nerone and Pinto Neravane Nerone, the dynamic duo behind Rasa Winery in Walla Walla, Washington. Transitioning from successful careers in the tech industry to the intricate world of winemaking, Billo and Pinto share their inspiring journey, scientific approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence in viticulture and enology.

From Tech to Winemaking: A Bold Transition

Billo Nerone opens the conversation by emphasizing the importance of pursuing one’s passion:

“One is to do what you absolutely love. And I don't care what that is. Find whatever you are passionate about and try to make that your profession.”
—Billo Nerone [00:00]

The Naravane brothers, both with strong backgrounds in computer science and engineering, found their calling in winemaking after a serendipitous discovery of exceptional wine during their visits to Napa Valley in the early '90s. This pivotal moment ignited a passion that led them to leave lucrative careers at Hewlett Packard and explore the world of viticulture.

Choosing Walla Walla and the Rocks District

Faced with the high costs of establishing a winery in renowned regions like Napa and Sonoma, Billo and Pinto scouted for more affordable yet promising locations. Their exploration led them to Walla Walla, a region acclaimed for its excellent terroir yet underserved in terms of high-quality winemaking.

Billo explains their decision-making process:

“The terroir is fantastic. The fruit's fantastic. How do you establish yourself as a front runner in Napa? You have 200 plus wineries making absolutely amazing things. Prohibitively expensive to enter the market.”
—Billo Nerone [07:29]

They identified the Rocks District, characterized by its unique basalt cobblestones deposited by the historic Missoula floods, providing exceptional drainage and mineral-rich soil ideal for viticulture. This distinctive terroir allows vines to develop deep root systems, enhancing the complexity and minerality of their wines.

Philosophy and Focus on Terroir-Specific Wines

Rasa Winery’s core philosophy revolves around showcasing the unique characteristics of their land through ultra-premium terroir-specific wines. Billo articulates their commitment to quality:

“We want those wines that really showcase the terroir of the vineyards… push the boundaries of quality for Washington state.”
—Billo Nerone [02:30]

Their scientific approach involves meticulous soil analysis and controlled irrigation to manage water stress, which enhances grape flavor and phenolic content, directly translating to more complex and flavorful wines.

Facing Challenges and Learning Experiences

Transitioning to winemaking was not without its challenges. Initially, Billo and Pinto encountered a high incidence of flawed wines within the Walla Walla region, revealing a gap in quality winemaking practices. Billo recounts his experience:

“I do have a place to sell. So we grew a little too quick… we weren't prepared for how much hand selling you have to do.”
—Billo Nerone [24:45]

They learned the importance of direct sales and building strong distribution channels, which were crucial in establishing their brand and ensuring their high-quality wines reached consumers.

Notable Wines and Achievements

Rasa Winery boasts several standout vintages that reflect their dedication and skill:

• 2008 Creative Impulse: A Bordeaux blend praised for its nuance and balance, still aging gracefully 16 years later.

  “We got everything that we wanted… pouring that 2008 creative impulse.”
  —Billo Nerone [25:21]

• 2010 Perfect Union: Achieved perfection despite challenging vintage conditions, solidifying Billo’s reputation as a master winemaker.

  “We had to work to make that happen… that 2010 Perfect Union is one of our stellar wines.”
  —Billo Nerone [29:22]

• 2021 Nerone: Their latest luxury offering, priced at $800 per bottle, aims to position Washington wines alongside the world’s top-tier labels.

  “The wine is undeniably gorgeous. It deserves a 100 point rating… it has transcended beverage to art.”
  —Billo Nerone [35:31]

Pinto adds his perspective on their transformational approach to winemaking:

“We are trying to hit transformational wine… to make a wine that is a transformative wine.”
—Pinto Neravane Nerone [32:51]

Philanthropic Efforts: The Humane Label

Beyond winemaking, Rasa Winery is committed to principled entrepreneurship through their Humane label, which allocates 70% of gross sales to charitable causes. Pinto elaborates on their global philanthropic initiatives:

“Global feel to this… we give money to these countries while most of the money stays here. The world is a community.”
—Pinto Neravane Nerone [41:34]

Each year, they collaborate with artists from different countries to design their labels, directing donations to causes relevant to each artist’s home region, such as domestic abuse prevention in South Africa and support for single mothers in South Korea.

Embracing Technology and AI in Winemaking

When discussing the future of winemaking, Billo highlights the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological advancements:

“AI can selectively harvest the grapes… software can track fermentation curves.”
—Billo Nerone [46:02]

They foresee AI assisting in mechanization and precision agriculture, but remain skeptical about AI’s ability to replicate the nuanced artistry required for crafting exceptional wines. Billo emphasizes the complexity of wine chemistry, suggesting that AI’s role will be supportive rather than central in the immediate future.

Advice to Themselves and Inspiring Listeners

Reflecting on their journey, both brothers offer heartfelt advice:

Pinto:

“Failure is not a bad thing… fight your inertia… baby steps are better than getting mired in inertia.”
—Pinto Neravane Nerone [57:25]

Billo:

“Do what you absolutely love. Find whatever you are passionate about and try to make that your profession.”
—Billo Nerone [55:55]

Their messages encourage listeners to embrace their passions, overcome fear of failure, and seize opportunities to pursue meaningful, fulfilling careers regardless of age.

Conclusion

Kevin Gentry wraps up the conversation by expressing admiration for Billo and Pinto’s innovative approach and unwavering commitment to excellence and philanthropy. He highlights their latest release, the 2021 Nerone, as a testament to their artistry and dedication. The episode serves as a powerful inspiration for listeners to think big, pursue their passions, and make a lasting impact in their respective fields.

Key Takeaways:

• Passion-Driven Career: Pursuing what you love leads to fulfillment and success.
• Scientific Approach: Combining data-driven methods with artistic sensibility enhances winemaking.
• Commitment to Quality: Focus on terroir-specific, ultra-premium wines sets Rasa Winery apart.
• Philanthropy: Principled entrepreneurship fosters global community support.
• Embracing Change: Adapting to technological advancements while maintaining artisanal integrity.
• Inspirational Advice: Overcoming fear and taking proactive steps towards personal and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Billo Nerone [00:00]:
  “One is to do what you absolutely love… you can't waste another day doing things that you do not like to do.”

• Pinto Neravane Nerone [04:21]:
  “[Winemaking] became a passion for us immediately. As we got more involved in wine, the more we thought we wanted to start our winery.”

• Billo Nerone [07:29]:
  “We could come up to Washington, execute things precisely on the winemaking front. The terroir is fantastic… It's a better deal.”

• Pinto Neravane Nerone [32:51]:
  “We are trying to hit transformational wine… it's an art form… that’s our holy grail of winemaking.”

• Billo Nerone [35:31]:
  “We wanted to set out to have a wine at that level… Washington doesn’t have anything at that super, super luxury category at that $800 price point.”

• Pinto Neravane Nerone [41:34]:
  “We wanted a global feel… The world is a community and yes, take care of yourselves… but all along you should be giving.”

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