Friend of PVCL Danica Patrick invited us inside her Arizona home for a candid and curated conversation—just in time for those seeking a summer escape worth sipping on.
From her personal wine cabinet to her thoughts on aging, wellness, and ambition, Danica shared what’s new, what’s next, and why Calistoga is calling.
This wasn’t just an interview. It was a rare, intimate sit-down inside the home of one of the most recognizable women in sports—turned entrepreneur, vintner, and voice of unapologetic honesty. And the story wouldn’t be complete without the perspective of her collaborator and winemaker, Julien Fayard, whose old-world training and Napa expertise have helped bring her Somnium dream to life.
Let’s start with your house. Upon walking in, we were greeted by music playing, wine on display, plants everywhere—what’s the vibe you wanted to create?
Danica Patrick (DP): I want people to feel something when they walk in. I love nature, I love design, I love texture—wood, concrete, stone, brick. It’s earthy and modern, but with softness. I had fake plants at first, but someone was like, “No, you need real ones.” So now I have someone come in every week and take care of them. I fully admit I over-watered at first. Mold. Total disaster.
And that wine display in your kitchen… it’s not just for show.
DP: Definitely not. I drink wine. I love wine. And good wine deserves a good home. I built that in because I didn't want bottles just hanging out in the fridge or random cabinets. It’s art. You walk in, the wine’s right there. Priorities.
Let’s talk about Somnium. How did the idea even happen?
DP: Okay, so it’s 2006, I’m in Napa on a trip—staying in three different hotels, wine tasting every day, dinner at French Laundry. I’m literally drinking white wine at 10 a.m. on this gorgeous knoll, looking out over the valley, thinking, “Yep. This is it. Someday, I want something like this.” Two years later, I started looking at land. I bought it in 2009. The only thing on my actual bucket list was running a marathon—which I did—and owning a vineyard kind of just found me.
You didn’t go the easy route. Julien said the property was tough.
DP: It was. Super steep, had just gone through a fire, and the road wasn’t even up to code. But I’ve always been drawn to things that are a little crazy. I don’t appreciate a turnkey in life. I wanted something that challenges me. That vineyard needed love—and vision.
Julien, what was your first impression?
Julien Fayard (JF): Danica showed up at the cave where I was working in Coombsville. She wanted to see what building into a hillside might look like. She found me. And she was exactly who you’d expect—straightforward, no fluff, very curious. She knew what she liked and asked great questions.
Danica, what made you choose him?
DP: He knows his stuff. I mean, he’s from France. That’s already a good sign, right? But he also has this calm energy, and he’s not precious about it. He listens, he’s creative, and I trust his palate. We both want elegance—not just power.
Julien, how would you describe the wine you make together?
JF: She has a refined palate. She wants depth and structure, but not heavy. The site gives us minerality and tension. Her wines are expressive, bold, but also balanced. She’s also involved—this is very much a collaboration.
You’ve expanded the line, right?
DP: Yeah, we started with the Estate Cab. Then came rosé. Then a white. Then Cab Franc. It’s grown slowly—intentionally. I love when people come to tastings and we pour five different wines, and they’re like, “Wait, I love them all.” That’s the goal.
Speaking of tastings… your Calistoga tasting room is gorgeous… but with attitude.
DP: Oh, it’s totally me. Crystals, plants, custom waterfall table with red and silver resin—I’m obsessed with it. I wanted it to feel like a little retreat. You come in, you open the double doors, and boom—you're in it. And yes, we have a question bowl. It’s my hand, literally. You pull a question out. It could be “Do you believe in aliens?” (which I do), or a really inappropriate FMK scenario. It just lightens the room. Wine should not be uptight.
What kind of wine drinker are you?
DP: Seasonal. Summer is white and rosé. Winter, I go full red. But I care more about vibe than rules. I don’t believe in pairing rules. Eat what you want, drink what you love. Just please chill your red wine. If it’s warm, I’m ordering tequila.
What’s your wellness routine now?
DP: Lift weights. Eat protein. Walk. That’s it. I don’t do cardio. I used to, but my body just doesn’t respond well to stress—whether that’s physical or emotional. I get body scans every few weeks to track composition, not weight. It’s all about balance and inflammation.
And you’ve turned that mindset into content. Let’s talk about your podcast.
DP: Pretty Intense is all things health, wellness, mindset, spirituality, aliens—you name it. If I’m curious about it, I bring it on. I recently had Georgia Ede on, who changed her life through diet. I’ve had Randall Carlson talking about ancient civilizations. It’s like my personal classroom, but I open the door and let people sit in.
You’re also launching a driving school… hopefully in time for my kids to test-drive.
DP: I met a guy during Inauguration Week in D.C. at this charity dinner. I pitched him my idea—like, “What if we reimagined driver’s ed?” He was in. So we’re building it now. Using AI and VR to put new drivers in real situations—without danger. Long term, it could reduce insurance rates, collect useful data, and make roads smarter. It’s a beast. But I love building things.
What else is on your plate?
DP: Media stuff. Wellness stuff. Maybe more product. I’m always working on something. But I’ve learned not to force it. If an idea has legs, it sticks around. I’ve learned to trust that.
Julien, final word on Danica?
JF: She’s fearless. Focused. Very clear on her standards, and deeply curious. She pushes the wine to be better—and that’s the kind of person you want to work with.
Explore Calistoga
Step into Danica Patrick’s world of wine at Somnium, a private tasting lounge in the heart of Calistoga. Designed for intimate, by-appointment experiences, the space reflects Danica’s personal style and winemaker Julien Fayard’s dedication to elegance and terroir.
Tasting Experiences
Taste of Somnium
A flight of Rosé, Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Cabernet, and Estate Cabernet
75 mins · Up to 8 guests · $80/person (waived with 3-bottle purchase)
Vertical Estate Cabernet Tasting
Multi-vintage Estate Cabernet tasting with paired composed bites
75 mins · Up to 8 guests · $110/person (waived with 3-bottle Cab purchase)
By appointment only | Reserve at somniumwine.com
Also Available:
Visit Maison Fayard in Downtown Napa for walk-in tastings and private experiences featuring Julien Fayard’s full portfolio, including Somnium exclusives.
exploretock.com/maisonfayard