Northern Calfornia native Mark Grassi opened his eponymous Napa construction firm in 1989. Grassi & Associates works with elite architects, interior designers, and discerning homeowners to craft bespoke residences and wineries that meld into the Napa, Sonoma and Santa Barbara landscapes. Their artistry and attention to detail show in the Zen aesthetic of Michelin star restaurant Kenzo, Brasswood's rustic European style marketplace, and the contemporary elegance of Cade Estate. When Mark is not on a job site, he enjoys spending time with his family, bike riding, and deciding between red or white wine.

CC: What drew you to construction?

MG: I started working construction over the summers to put myself through college in Chico. My father worked in a bank, and I had zero exposure to building anything. So it was a fascinating, strange world that I just loved. Being outside, the physicality of it all, and satisfaction at accomplishing something at the end of every day. I became so absorbed in it that I dropped out of school after my junior year and never looked back.

CC: What brought you to Napa Valley?

MG: While working in the East Bay Area, I was offered a job on a crew here in Napa. I thought I would be here only a year. That was almost 40 years ago.

CC: Grassi collaborates with some of the top architects in the Bay Area: Howard Backen, Juancarlos Fernandez, Stan and Jess Field, and Maurice Lombardo, to name a few. How do different architects' styles affect how you approach a project?

MG: I think what is striking are the similarities between working with those particular firms. And that is the collaborative approach we have with each of them. We work as a team, and these architects know we have their backs. As a great example, we are currently working on a large, complicated residential project with Taylor Lombardo Architects. The principal architect, Pam Lao, comes in one day a week and works from the job site all day. The direct communication and problem solving we get by working side by side are invaluable.

CC: Your firm builds both estates and wineries; what are the rewards and challenges of each?

MG: That is a great question. For years we resisted working in the commercial building arena and only wanted to be known as custom home builders. A client we were building a home for persuaded us to build their winery; it didn’t hurt that Howard Backen and Nicole Hollis were on both projects. The differences are that wineries, by and large, are always extraordinarily time-driven and less emotional than residences. While everyone wants into their home as soon as possible, getting a winery up and running before a fall crush is essential. If you miss it, you lose a year and a lot of money. Fortunately, we have been able to keep the crush schedule on every winery we have built.

CC: Recently Grassi branched out from work in Napa and Sonoma Valley to the Santa Barbara Wine Country. How has that been?

MG: Well, that has been a very interesting experience. We would not have done something like this, but it was an important client we built a Napa Valley winery for, who pushed us to construct a winery for them in Santa Barbara. Again it didn’t hurt that Backen & Gillam Architects were the architects of record for both projects and that we had worked with the principal architect Silvia Nobili on both jobs.

CC: As an avid bicyclist, what is your favorite ride?

MG: Ok, now on to the important stuff. Every spring (pre-COVID), we host a company-sponsored "Spring Social'' ride and lunch. It is a 55-mile loop that runs from our offices in downtown Napa, through the Carneros region of Southern Napa, over Mount Veeder, then back down the vine trail to our parking lot for food and wine. The ride showcases some of the most scenic landscapes in Napa Valley along primarily rural less-traveled roads.

CC: Red or White wine?

MG: Another essential question! It is always a fascinating evolution to learn about and appreciate wines. Most people, myself included, start by drinking white wines, then evolve to red wines, but go back to enjoying the nuances and complexity of white wines, which, after all that, can be rewarding.

CC: What are three things you can't live without?

MG: My Family (wife, kids, and grandchildren). My dogs ( Australian Shepards). And a never-ending appreciation for trying new things.

CC: How would you define your work in three words?

MG: If you don't mind, I would like to use five words. A few years ago, we wanted to define ourselves in five nouns and asked our superintendents and project managers to write down five that explained who we were. The words that came up consistently were; excellence, commitment, distinction, innovation, and integrity.

CC: 2020 was a challenging year: regional fires, a national presidential election, and a global pandemic. What are your hopes for 2021?

MG: I am not sure we can ever get back to the way things were, and there will now be a "new normal." But I hope that this "new normal" will include all of us working together as a community to make a better world and that we can respect one another regardless of whether we agree on everything or not.

Take 10 With Builder Mark Grassi

Paige Rense: Remembering the Queen of Hearths

Back to the Future: Interior Design Trends for 2021