You spent so many years in a world built around speed, while wine requires patience, time and an appreciation for the process. What has winemaking taught you that racing never could?
Wine is a slow sport, not a fast sport. You have to be patient. Racing was all split-second control. Wine runs on Mother Nature's timeline, and Napa forced me to slow down in a way nothing else ever had.
Somnium means "dream." You accomplished an enormous dream very early in life with racing. Has your definition of dreaming big or being successful changed in this season of your life?
Honestly, some days I still catch myself mid-sip and think, wait, I'm working? But I'm drinking. That gets to be my job now. It's a long way from measuring success in split seconds.
You've built Somnium in Napa Valley and Danica Rosé in Provence. Beyond the wines themselves, what is it about those two places that speaks to you personally?
Danica Rosé really comes from my love of travel. I go to Europe every summer, and I've always loved the wines of Provence. I wanted to make something everyone could enjoy. A light, crisp, refreshing, a wine for all year, not just summer. Napa is different for me. When I first visited back in 2006, I fell in love with the valley, standing there looking out over the mountains. That feeling has never left.
When you're tasting or helping shape a wine, what are you personally drawn to? Has your palate changed as you've learned more about winemaking?
My palate's changed a lot. I went from ordering the sweetest white wine at the bar to loving red, cabernet especially. It wasn't until around 2012, 2013 that I really started to enjoy Cabernet Franc, which is what led us to plant it on my property in 2014, and now it's my favorite pour. I think everyone's palate keeps evolving like that, the more you try and the more you immerse yourself in it.
Wine can sometimes feel intimidating to people who don't know much about it. What do you wish more people knew about simply enjoying wine without worrying about doing it the "right" way?
I like being in charge, I like to pick the wine, but even I still get a little nervous that the table won't enjoy what I choose. There's no "right" way to do it, though. I'd rather take a chance on something new than always play it safe. Just pick something and enjoy it.
For an October evening in Arizona, what would you personally pour and what would you want to eat with it?
My philosophy is always drink what you love and eat what you enjoy. It doesn't have to pair perfectly; that's not really the point. For an October night here, that's our Napa Cabernet for me.
You've always had a genuine interest in food and cooking. What does cooking at home look like for you these days? Is there a meal you make especially well, or one friends always request?
I'm a big protein person, and breakfast is non-negotiable for me. That's the one meal I never skip. Cooking has always been a real passion of mine. My book, Pretty Intense by Danica, actually had a whole section of recipes I created, things I genuinely love cooking and eating. I love having people over, cooking for them, and entertaining.
Arizona finally starts to come alive again in the fall. What does your perfect October day in the Phoenix area look like, from morning to night?
A perfect October day starts with a hike up Camelback with my dogs, a big breakfast, maybe a little golf in the afternoon, and ending the night on a patio with a glass of wine, or out at a concert. I've been in a bit of a DJ era lately, going to a lot more shows.
What does a really great night at home look like for you these days? Are you someone who loves to host, cook for friends and open a bottle of wine, or do you prefer keeping things simple?
I love having people over, cooking for them, opening a bottle of wine, entertaining. That's my favorite kind of night.
You're also known for maintaining a very active lifestyle while clearly enjoying great food, travel and wine. How do you think about balance without making life feel overly restrictive?
I don't believe in all-or-nothing. I work hard to stay active, but I also love good food and good wine. For me balance means enjoying both without guilt, not swinging between extremes.
This or That: Mountains or beach?
Mountains, no question. I just bought a place in Colorado to be closer to them in the winter. I never got to ski while I was racing, so the last couple years I've finally taken it up.
This or That: A perfect evening: big dinner party or dinner with two or three close friends?
Two or three close friends over a big party, any day. I love asking questions and getting into real conversation. It's actually why I put together a bowl of conversation-starter questions we keep in the tasting lounge, nothing to do with wine, just a way to get people talking.
What's something about Danica Patrick today that might surprise someone who only knows you from racing?
People are always surprised that I cook all of my dogs' food myself, from scratch. I'm as particular about their meals as I am about my own.
Honestly, some days I still catch myself mid-sip and think, wait, I'm working? But I'm drinking. That gets to be my job now.
Racing was all split-second control.
Wine runs on Mother Nature's timeline
What is the best way to find the wines in Arizona?
Somnium's small production, so the best way to try it is through our tasting lounge or through our website. Danica Rosé is bigger production so that one's much easier to find on shelves. Look for us at Kauboi in The Remi, Tia Carmen or Wrigley Mansion to name a few. You'll typically see both the Somnium Napa Valley Cabernet and Danica Rosé, but Danica Rosé is by far the easier one to find.