957 Maria Castellucci Moore :

Wings of Inspired Business Podcast EP957 – Host Melinda Wittstock Interviews Maria Castellucci Moore

Melinda Wittstock:

Coming up on Wings of Inspired Business:

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Every, every family, every industry has their, you know, really difficult times and we’re kind of in ours right now economically. But I think at the end of the day it’s like just the gratitude of, of the peace that comes from you know, being connected to the land. I think, get out in nature. I mean you don’t have to own a vineyard, or you know, I mean just literally go for a walk. And I bring either my phone or like a notebook because I think you get so many inspiring ideas or like writing prompts or themes when you’re in nature. 

Melinda Wittstock:

Thanksgiving, is of course, a time for gratitude but when times are tough, it can be hard to remember to count your blessings. Sometimes it feels like an understatement to say 2025 has been a tumultuous year—politically, socially, economically—and many businesses are struggling against economic headwinds, and growing uncertainty. Maria Castellucci Moore is no different, her luxury Napa valley winery under pressure from roundups and deportations of workers, declines in tourism to the U.S. not to mention the rising prices in the US suppressing luxury spending. Today we talk about all of that but also how to find gratitude even when it feels like things are not going your way.

Melinda Wittstock:

Hi, I’m Melinda Wittstock and welcome to Wings of Inspired Business, where we share the inspiring entrepreneurial journeys, epiphanies, and practical advice from successful female founders … so you have everything you need at your fingertips to build the business and life of your dreams. I’m all about paying it forward as a five-time serial entrepreneur, so I started this podcast to catalyze an ecosystem where women entrepreneurs mentor, promote, buy from, and invest in each other. Because together we’re stronger, and we all soar higher when we fly together and lift as we climb.

Melinda Wittstock:

Today we meet an inspiring entrepreneur who is a first-generation American, born to Italian parents who immigrated to the United States over fifty years ago. Maria Castellucci Moore’s family roots are in both real estate and winemaking—dating back to their days of crafting homemade wine in the basement of their southern Italian hometown. Inspired by her father’s nostalgia for those times, Maria saw potential in the vineyard properties her family had acquired as part of their real estate endeavors and turned that nostalgia into the thriving boutique wine label, Castellucci Napa Valley. Today Maria shares the challenges and shifting landscape of the luxury wine industry, from evolving consumer tastes, economic volatility, and immigration raids targeting Hispanic workers, to the importance of diversification and resilience for entrepreneurs. 

Melinda Wittstock

Maria will be here in a moment, and first:

[PROMO CREDIT]

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Melinda Wittstock:

What a year it’s been. So many words, yet no words. It feels like everything has been turned upside down—things we took for granted, like, well, democracy and a rule of law that applies equally to every person and every business—are under threat. Tariffs have wreaked havoc on U.S. consumers and businesses, raising prices of everything and plunging many a business into uncertainty. Violent roundups of Hispanics, immigrants and citizens alike, across cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte – have shocked the conscience. And don’t get me started on the Epstein files, the suffering of the thousand-plus survivors and the exposure of a rot, a deep corruption of elite men who believe and act like they are above the law. I usually refrain from politics on this podcast, but no business operates in isolation, and no female founder soars without a society that makes it possible. So, in all these challenges and traumas, I’m looking for the inspiration to stay in gratitude, and I see it every day in the women I interview on this show, and Maria Castellucci Moore is no exception.

Melinda Wittstock:

Maria is the founder of the boutique winery Castellucci Napa Valley, a multi-award-winning author, and winner of the Gold Mom’s Choice Award. A mother of four, Maria runs her wine label and a family real estate development company while serving on the board of the San Francisco Opera Guild.  She’s also Napa Valley’s Ambassador to Charitable nonprofit organization, Roots of Peace— an organization that de-mines war torn lands and plants fruit orchards and vineyards worldwide. Maria also received the 2023 Most Intriguing Award for Napa Valley. So, this Thanksgiving episode, we talk about the challenges we all face right now in the world—and also how to find and maintain joy, gratitude and empowerment in all the chaos.

Melinda Wittstock:

Let’s put on our wings with the inspiring Maria Castellucci Moore.  

[INTERVIEW]

Melinda Wittstock:

Maria, welcome to Wings.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Thanks, Melinda. Thank you for having me.

Melinda Wittstock:

Well, let’s talk about wine.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I mean, you know, start with the fun stuff, right? I mean.

Melinda Wittstock:

Yes. What inspired you to create your vineyard? I’m so intrigued.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s a great story. So, I’m first-generation American born to Italian parents and my father. You know, my parents came to this country over 50 years ago, and we kind of, kind of fell into the wine business, so to speak. But, you know, they were all making a barrel of wine in the basement in their hometown in the southern part of Italy. And I think for him to recreate that kind of nostalgia from childhood was what really created this idea of purchasing vineyard properties. It was really, you know, we’re a real estate family through and through, but some of these properties had these gorgeous vineyards. And I turned to my father one day and I said, we can really do something with this, you know, instead of it just being a hobby.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, we kind of, as a family, you know, went full on. But it’s, you know, we’re small, so it remains kind of a luxury boutique wine label. And so really, through the real estate business is how we stumbled into the wine business. And it’s just been a true joy to learn about this incredible industry that brings, you know, millions of people to Napa Valley, California, every year. So, I feel really, really grateful to have been able to kind of transfer some of this tangible real estate into this creative, you know, line of work.

Melinda Wittstock:

So that’s fantastic. So, tell me about the wine. Is there any particular type of wine or.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yeah. So, we have several vineyards throughout the Napa Valley, and one vineyard in particular that’s very special in Oakville. We make two different types of Cabernet. We make a Bordeaux blend rose, and also Sauvignon Blanc. So, we specialize in these four, or I guess I could say three varietals, but we make two different types of calves from the same block. It’s really fun to kind of play around in your own backyard, really. So, these four wines come off of this property.

Melinda Wittstock:

Ah, beautiful. So, what are some of the challenges that you’re facing at the moment in the wine business? Like, we’ve got this really interesting economy.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

That’s a lovely way of putting it.

Melinda Wittstock:

Right? Pressures on real estate. I mean, there’s so much fun. So, like, what’s happening with you?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I’m certainly not alone in this challenge. But I would say over the course of the last two years in particular, we’ve seen a total shift in the industry as a whole. I mean, something that not only my family, but other very, very storied vintners up here have talked to me about that have been in the industry far longer than I have. The demographic is changing. I think the wine drinker has now shifted to all these other interesting beverage options out there. There’s also, you know, a movement to abstaining from alcohol entirely. So, it’s been a very, very challenging couple years, really having to work outside the box because the people are just not coming to Napa Valley as much as they were before.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I think hospitality in general has taken a huge shift. And so, vintners are really struggling. It’s been not only difficult to sell wine, but it’s been difficult to sell fruit. You know, we even have some grapes hanging on the vine that are not being harvested because there’s such an overproduction of wine. The last two years, I think mother nature just pumped out more. More product than anyone was able to really wrap their heads around these last couple years. And so, production was higher in the vineyard, Therefore people looking for fruit, you know, that supply went down. And so, it’s been a challenge.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s a laborious industry, not only, you know, with your hands, but also with your pocketbook. And so, it’s been a true challenge financially, you know, to make everything pencil out in this. In this economy. So. So yeah, we’re. We’re looking for some. Some new wine drinkers, hopefully.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

And, you know, we’re more kind of in the luxury space. And so that’s also a challenge, I feel like, across the board, the luxury sector, real estate and wine and, you know, it kind of all goes hand in hand. They’re all luxury goods, especially up here in Napa Valley, where people are buying their second home or, you know, buying that 200 bottle of cabernet that’s less that. That is. That has dramatically dropped. The luxury market has really taken a hit up here.

Melinda Wittstock:

On one hand, you have a lot of people who’ve always liked French wines, Italian wines. You have wines from all over the world, but then a lot of these are tariffed now, too. So how is that impacting you? Did you have, like, competitive pressure and then is that pressure going away or what? 

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Say that it has been prohibitively expensive to come up to Napa Valley, stay in Napa Valley, eat in Napa Valley and drink in Napa Valley. I’ve noticed that a lot, quote, unquote, regulars, I would say, are opting to go to Europe. And so, I think we’ve lost a lot of tourism to Europe just because it’s become quite expensive where, at least in the part of the world that I’m in. And so, it kind of gives that consumer less, you know, income to spend on these luxury goods. I would say, you know, wine in general, I think what’s in vogue at the moment is kind of that lighter, European style wine, lower alcohol. So those wines, and that’s, you know, that’s really driven by the terroir and where you are in the world, honestly, because you can’t make a cabernet as light as a Pinot Noir.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s just science. You just can’t do it. So, it’s really interesting, I think, that the consumer demographic has changed. I think travel has changed, the hospitality is suffering. And I hope that in the new year it will kind of gain some more traction. But I think it’s really driven on the consumer. I mean, the consumer is.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Their palate has changed. There’s a lot of competition in our space regarding, like, seltzers and, you know, hard drinks in a can and things like that. There’s so much competition out there lately that there was not five or seven years ago. So, you know, I think wine is an old, old world storied kind of, you know, I mean, it goes back to the, to the. As far as we can. As far as we can record. I don’t see this lasting too long. But those that can weather the storm, that’s gonna, that’s gonna be the challenge.

Melinda Wittstock:

I imagine it must be tricky too, because international tourism to the United States is also down. Immigration, given all that’s going on.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yes, yes. Politically, it’s been, it’s been. Yeah, I, I agree with that very much.

Melinda Wittstock:

Yeah, I mean, that’s, that’s tricky as well. Like, I know, for instance, like, I’m. I’m Canadian, lived in the United States, you know, in Santa Monica and New York and Washington, 25 years now. I go back and forth between Canada and the States, and I know that so many Canadians are just not going to the United States at the moment.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

At. Yes, yes.

Melinda Wittstock:

And like you know, like, I just think of the bourbon industry is…

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Oh, wiped out. Oh, definitely. I. I think. I mean, politically, we are in a volatile place, to say the least.

Melinda Wittstock:

Yeah.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, I think once there is some security or some, you know, I don’t know, like, the. There needs to be a level of calm, I mean, in order for people to start spending. I think. Yeah, I. I think this is strongly driven by, you know, the politics and. And also, interest rates. I mean, we’ll see if those continue to come down, that would change. You know, people need to feel wealthy again to be able to, you know, spend in that luxury space.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

And even though the stock market’s doing great, so it’s actually. It’s a really interesting time. 

Melinda Wittstock:

And so, it’s interesting that you’re saying that the luxury market has had such huge impact because you have a circumstance where to read the news is kind of like, oh, everybody who’s rich is getting richer, but like that. But then the vast majority of the country is not, you know, like, prices and all that kind of stuff. The luxury market is really suffering as well.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I think it’s just because people are not spending. There’s not that consumer confidence out there that there was a couple of years ago. I do foresee that improving in the new year. I really do.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

But as far as the wine industry in general, there’s been a real shift in the variety of what’s out there for the consumer, you know, so younger. Yeah. And with AI And I think all the. I think the younger generation will get more sophisticated as they mature in age, but that will take a little while. So right now, I think the fad is. Is either abstaining from alcohol or these drinks, like the seltzer drinks, or like the High Noons. Those types of things are, what’s more in style, lighter wines, kind of these big cabernets that you can age for 10 to 15 years. And that’s mostly what’s planted in Napa Valley. So, Cab is king up here. It’s been a challenge for many, many wineries, so, we’ll have to see how that shakes out.

Melinda Wittstock:

Yeah. So, for entrepreneurs, this is always the difficult thing. There are the things you can control and the things you can’t.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Right, Correct.

Melinda Wittstock:

You’re in a circumstance like that. How do you respond? Like, what are some of the things that you’re doing? Because you’ve got the kind of real estate pressure, wine pressure, all of that. What do you do? What are you doing?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

You really have to minimize your expenses, to see this through. I mean, you know, luckily, we’re not a family that’s just 100% focused on the wines because we are so small and boutique. We don’t distribute nationally or anything like that. So, I think if we had all our eggs in one basket, it would be a much different conversation. Luckily, our assets are spread out, and so, you know, we’re not solely relying on people coming up to taste and buy wine. I think if we were, we would be in the hole already. That’s how bad it’s been up here.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I think diversification has been a huge, you know, proponent of our success. And I would. I would obviously advise that to anybody, Not. Not necessarily to, like, jump into a totally different industry, but just to diversify, you know, your assets, if you can, or have different asset classes. I think that’s what’s going to stand the test of time, honestly. And there’s some wineries that have been around for generations. I mean, those are pretty stable because they have that name recognition. I’m not that new, but I’m also not super well known because I’m not a huge producer.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, you know, there’s different factors that are. That are going to really stand out in a market like this. 

Melinda Wittstock:

And so I have to ask this because, you know, we got these ice raids, you know, on farmland, you know, in California, where, you know, you hear in the news people, like, just folks who work the land or pick the fruit or the vegetables or whatever, you know, are being carted off or. Or not showing up for fear of that is all of that. What’s going on with that in Napa at the moment?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

You know, it’s terrifying. I’ll be totally blunt. Our industry would not survive without, you know, our Mexican migrant workers. They just wouldn’t. I mean, this industry is flooded with. I don’t want to say that they’re illegal, But most of the people that work the vines, they are from. From Mexico, and they’re incredible workers. And we honestly couldn’t have the industry we have without them. So, I feel very sorry. I mean, my parents are Immigrant parents. I mean, they came to this country legally, but at the same time, you know, I just think that’s part of the beauty of America is this melting pot that we live in, and especially in our valley. They’re incredibly hardworking.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Our valley wouldn’t exist and wouldn’t be what it is today without them. So, it is a difficult time. I think there is some fear. I mean, a lot of, A lot of these workers, men and women, I mean, you see women in the vineyards as well. They, A lot of them, you know, do have proper documentation and they work for larger companies and things like that. But, you know, there is a general kind of. I don’t know, it’s like a, it’s like a sour taste. Right? 

[PROMO CREDIT]

Wings of Inspired Business is brought to you by the new podcast, Zero Limits Business Growth Secrets. Join me together with Steve Little – serial entrepreneur, investor and mergers & acquisitions maestro – as we explore the little-known 24 value drivers that spell the difference between a $5m business, and a $50mm even $500 mm business. That’s Zero Limits Business Growth Secrets, produced by Podopolo Brand Studio at zerolimitsradio.com – that’s zerolimitsradio.com and available wherever you get your podcasts.

Melinda Wittstock:

And we’re back with Maria Castellucci Moore, founder of the luxury boutique winery Castellucci Napa Valley.

[INTERVIEW CONTINUES]

Maria Castellucci Moore:

These people are, are just trying to go to work and feed their families and send money home if they can. I haven’t experienced anything directly related to that up here, but I know that, you know, just, it’s, it’s small valley and everyone, everyone, everyone talks. So there, there is concern, you know, that that’s going to cause some trepidation for, for these people and for our industry. 

Melinda Wittstock:

Yeah, of course, crazy, because they have these really aggressive targets of how many people they want to deport, you know, like, every day. And there are not enough violent immigrant criminals.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

No, these are very. Yeah. And a lot of them have their own families. And, you know, from my experience, they’re really wonderful, wonderful, hardworking people that, you know, that you, that you hope could just continue. So, I, I don’t know. I mean, politically, we’re in a very difficult time, and I think it’s affecting the consumer, the worker, you know, the field work. It’s, it’s really, it’s affecting everybody. So that kind of general sense of fear for the economy, for the people that work, you know, there is.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

That, that’s definitely going on. That’s definitely so.

Melinda Wittstock:

Gosh. Well, I, I, you know, I’m wishing you a lot of luck because in these kinds of uncertain times, it’s really difficult for business owners to make decisions because everything is so uncertain. Like, you just don’t know. So how do you forecast? How do you plan? How do you make decisions? You know, what do you do? And, and the, these are the sort of questions that are affecting every single industry.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Correct. The wine industry is really interesting because what, what you do today will not be out in the market for three years. So, the decision you make today, you’re basically deciding what’s going to be happening in 20, 28 and beyond. Because in, when you’re making red wine, you know, you pick one year, then you bottle 22 months later, and then that has to sit for about six months and then it can be released in the world. 

Melinda Wittstock:

And so like, how much?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yeah, well, you’re, you’re, you’re basically forwarding this money in hopes that you will have a, you know, a stronger economic point where you can actually sell your product for what it’s worth. And so, the wine industry in particular is quite heavy, the capital that you need because you’re, you’re basically advancing money, and you don’t see the sale of that particular product for about three years. So, it’s, it’s the long game. You know, you have to be in it for the long game and it’s not a short term, you know, like with the piece of real estate, if you wanted to buy and flip it, I don’t know, I mean, we’re not in that business. But if you wanted to buy and flip something, you could, you could probably do that depending on your situation. But with the wines, it’s a totally different, you know, that’s why they call it wine time. I think it’s because the wine sleeping there and, you know, you’re, you’re paying to farm the land and so it’s, you know, the French barrels that we buy from France, everything is very capital heavy in the beginning and you don’t, you don’t realize those profits until, you know, three to four years down the line.

Melinda Wittstock:

Yeah, and that’s really hard when you can’t really forecast because you just, I don’t think anyone with a straight face can predict what the economy is going to be like in 2028.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Right, right.

Melinda Wittstock:

You know, like, it’s kind of like this equation, like, how bad is it going to be or is it going to be better or like, how do we know? Because everything is so, yeah, it’s volatile.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s wonky right now. Everything’s up and down and there’s. Yeah, there’s no steady state right now.

Melinda Wittstock:

So, yeah, the decision making seems by whim.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It does.

Melinda Wittstock:

If you look at other economies in the world that operate that way, they don’t have strong economies, they don’t have GDP growth, you know, yeah, it doesn’t work out so well. So, it’s extraordinary to me that a country like the United States could be throwing away like so much goodwill and so much economic opportunity and so much prosperity just on these whims. My head, it sort of explodes with it. 

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Right, right. I know there’s a lot of uncertainty. I think it’s in a lot of businesses. I mean I, I don’t know anything about the retail, but I could imagine like even retail stores, they’re wondering like, are people just going to be buying online in the next five years? Like, are people actually even going to be going into store like brick-and-mortar stores? So, there’s a lot of questions out there and I think the technology world is moving so quickly that companies are having to learn how to use AI and I’m not really in that world. I feel like I live in the stone age with making wine and having immigrant parents. I’m not fully versed in all the technology that’s coming out at such an incredible rate. But that’s going to change a lot of businesses as well. So, it’s a really, it’s an exciting time.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I think if you are, if you’re comfortable with change, which some people are and some people are not, I think this is just a really exciting yet also, you know, some anxiety provoking time in our lives right now. Sure.

Melinda Wittstock:

I mean, I think entrepreneurs generally are better hardwired for times like this because we’re used to. Right. Like a change is sort of like an inevitable.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yeah. Well, I also think when you work for yourself, you’re kind of, you’re always on this like survival mode. Right. You don’t have the security of a huge company and a million employees and stock options and you know, so I think just from an entrepreneurial standpoint there is, there is a spirit of, you kind of have to have that grit a little bit, otherwise I feel like you would just sink a hundred percent.

Melinda Wittstock:

So at least there’s that. So, for all the entrepreneurs listening to this show, you know, you’ve been, we got this times that we live in.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Right, right.

Melinda Wittstock:

And it’s tricky because, like, when you have a plan and if you are psychologically or emotionally measuring your success by your plan, it’s time to think differently 

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Oh, yes.

Melinda Wittstock:

Your value as a person is not tied up with that. Like, you will probably face all kinds of different things. And I think that’s hard for people because they, they, you know, they were operating and they made their business plan and they’re operating as if things are always going to be the same. I think a lot of people do that, particularly in the United States, because things have been relatively the same for like 80 years, right? So just sort of assume that, carry on like that. And then when it changes so significantly in such a short time and you add AI and you add all that stuff onto it.

Melinda Wittstock:

Right. It’s like, wait, I’ve got to rethink almost. Yeah, I think there’s a lot of people in that position. So how do you deal with that? Like, just from a personal, sort of psychological. Like, how do you stay strong in all of that? Personally, how do you deal with it?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I mean, my motto is kind of like, stay hungry, stay curious. I mean, you have to be willing to grow. And I think, you know, if you’re not growing, you’re. You’re kind of going backwards. So. But that’s just, that’s just me. I mean, you know, I think a lot of people are just comfortable with like a 9 to 5 and they want, you know, they. They kind of need a little more security, don’t want to take their work home with them.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I don’t think. I think there are certain people in the world that are just born to be entrepreneurial, and some others just aren’t. And there’s no problem with either one. I think it’s just the way God made us. Right. If we were all entrepreneurial, I think it would be a wacky, even wackier society. So, I just say, like, stay curious. I mean, you have to grow with the times and, you know, kind of be willing to shift and change your business model if you need to.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s really a time to be creative. I think the creative space is. We’re not really. I read this fabulous book recently called the Art of you and just talking about how the creative spirit is not really valued as much in our country as in other countries. And I think you could be creative in finance. You can be literally creative in the art space. How people normally think of, you know, when they think of Creativity, they think of art and making things beautiful, but it’s also a time to get creative in your business, I think. I think growing and changing shape is, is going to be the new norm if you’re kind of set in your ways.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

You know, I think society is kind of showing us that, that that’s already kind of too old of a frame of mind. So, I would just say like, stay hungry and stay curious and you know, always be growing.

Melinda Wittstock:

So, tell me about your books. You do this lovely series for kids inspired by your own children. And it’s a series called Traveling Mindfulness. How wonderful. So, tell me about that.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So as an adult I got curious about myself. You know, having been raised by immigrant parents, I think you’re more kind of in this like, put your head down and you know, get going kind of a thing. I don’t think immigrant born children to immigrant parents really have that same sense of like self-discovery and you know, learning about yourself and you know, taking, taking trips to, you know, discover who you are. Those were super esoteric. I friends of mine would talk like this and I say, I have never heard my parents ever. You know, it’s one of those, I think it’s like we were raised so Italian that, you know, you just kind of like. My parents came to this country to grow and give their children a better life and opportunity. And so, it was less about the individual and more about the group.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

And so, as an adult I started to question like what? You know, I had four children and as any mother listening can attest to you, you kind of lose yourself when you have all these kids and you’re like, wait, what makes me happy? Like, how do I know what makes me happy? And so, I started asking all these kind of like ‘woo woo’ questions. I was in my early 40s just a few years ago, I was asking these questions and I thought, what if I could write a book about these kind of like larger overarching life questions and put it in the format for a young child to discover and grow. And I love to travel. So, I kind of paired these things together. I took some classes, and I became a certified mindfulness like coach. And I learned about joy and about just what happiness is. I mean, these are huge questions that, you know, psychologists and doctors have been working on for generations. And I thought, I wonder if I could start that conversation between a parent and a child early on in their life.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Like, I don’t want my children to wait until they’re 40 years old to ask themselves these questions. So, I came up with this book series, and it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, to be honest. Simple. But going into a school and reading to a group of children and asking questions, and their questions to me are just astounding. I think to be able to touch the lives of young people is really where this all came, you know, from for me. So, it was kind of a project on myself, but then I tested it out in the world, and it’s just been really well received. And I just, you know, circling back to creativity, I. I really think that this kind of level of creativity has given me great joy.

Melinda Wittstock:

That’s wonderful. So, what are the books?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, I have Vivian in Paris, and each child is set in a different city, either that I’ve lived in or had a very significant experience. I was engaged to be married in the city of Paris, and so that city means very much to me. And then Sofia in Rome. Rome is a city I lived in when I was in my 20s. And I’m Italian, and all the children are Italian with their Italian passports and everything. I was like, I have to pick an Italian city. And my next book coming out next year is Dean in London.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I studied at the London School of Economics, and my son Dean will be in London, and then it continues on from there. So, we’ll see what comes up next. But I’ve had a lot of fun with kind of sharing this side of myself being. Being able to be creative and also incorporating kind of what. What my children love. So, every book has a different ending. So, the particular child uses their five senses to discover their own unique joy as they journey through the streets of whatever city they’re in.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, it’s very sweet. It’s really fun. There’s a lot of language and culture. So, in the first one there’s French, and the second one there’s Italian. So, you know, and what I’ve realized, like, parents are the ones buying these books, right? And so, I think it really needs to resonate with the parent. And. And when you have a message that. That resonates, you know, I.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I think that’s where success comes from, is in that kind of teachable moment.

Melinda Wittstock:

So, a hundred percent. Americans don’t travel abroad as much as other countries do. It might be just because of the size of the country. 

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yes. Geographically, I mean, yes, it’s. It’s quite the project for us to get over to Europe, but, yeah, you’re right. Within Europe, they speak three, four languages because, you know, they’re within an hour of. Of a country. It’s like us going to la. It’s like me going to Los Angeles and being able to speak German.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, it’s pretty special. I have to say, over there.

Melinda Wittstock:

I find that people who travel generally are just more open minded, more appreciative of diversity, like, see the benefits of diversity more tend to be better. Critical thinkers tend to be just more empowered in their lives. And there are so many Americans who literally who’ve grown up in these rural cities and have this, like, think that New York is a hellscape because they’ve never been there. Do you know what I mean? 

Maria Castellucci Moore:

I do; I do. We have a very closed mentality. I mean, I don’t, because I come from. I was not raised American at all, so I feel like I was raised in a foreign country, but I’m in America, so I have a very unique upbringing in that sense. And I’m so incredibly grateful. I mean, you know, I think the best thing you can do is take your children to somewhere far away, like, let them see how other people live, let them hear how other people speak, eat foods that are, you know, that are native to that particular place. It’s all an incredible growth opportunity and learning experience. So, yeah, traveling is a big part of our lives, and I, I really kind of wanted that to, you know, come through in my books.

Melinda Wittstock:

So that’s wonderful. Well, it’s just giving children the, the. Just the imagination, the permission to. To see things differently.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yes.

Melinda Wittstock:

Is so important. So that’s wonderful that you’re doing that. You also have a whole as life that’s about charity and, and. And the opera and like so many things. You. You have a very rich life, Maria. It. It seems I’m just like, just on paper where, you know, you, You.

Melinda Wittstock:

You’re part of the San Francisco Opera Guild, right?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yes. And actually Castellucci, Napa Valley is being awarded the Star of Excellence award for their, like, philanthropic division of the Opera. So, I feel very blessed.

Melinda Wittstock:

Oh, wow. Congratulations.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yeah, thank you. So, music’s a huge part of our lives. My father is very musical. I’m very musical, and some of our kids are as well. And so, we are very involved in the arts in, In San Francisco. So. Yes, I’m on the board of the San Francisco Opera Guild, and we do a lot to, you know, raise funds. Not only just raise funds, but put programs in schools, you know, for singing.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

And anyways it’s, it’s just a very, very enriching part of my life that I couldn’t imagine not having it. I would encourage everyone to get involved in something that moves you. I think it just makes you a more well-rounded person. And I there, there just needs to be more charity in the world I think especially in these times. So.

Melinda Wittstock:

You know, I’m just thinking to myself what could be better than wine and music and like beautiful land and travel? I mean, you know, right?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s pretty great. I mean we have of course every, every family, every industry has their, you know, really difficult times and we’re kind of in ours right now economically. But I think at the end of the day it’s like just the gratitude of, of the peace that comes from you know, being connected to the land. I think get out in nature. I mean you don’t have to own a vineyard, or you know, I mean just literally go for a walk. Like some of my most. And I bring either my phone or like a notebook because I think you get so many inspiring ideas or like writing prompts or themes when you’re in nature. I mean for me that’s like, you know, we go to church, but that’s my second church is like get out in nature.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Because I think that a lot of life’s reward is all the stuff that’s just around us that we see every day that we totally take for granted.

Melinda Wittstock:

So, a hundred percent.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Yeah.

Melinda Wittstock:

And then you also have a charity, it’s called Roots of Peace. Tell me about that. Because this is all about planting fruits and vineyards.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

It’s incredible. I, I sometimes I’m at a loss for words. Roots of Peace is a charitable nonprofit organization that demines land in war torn countries like Ukraine. They start in Croatia, Vietnam, all over the world. Afghanistan, huge presence in Afghanistan. So, they literally work with a demining company, and they take landmines out of the ground which is, I mean it’s terrifying work. It’s like you know when they’re asking you your blood type, that’s when you know that you’re on super, super scary ground literally.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, they demine land in war torn countries and they replace with vineyards and fruit orchards and honestly they give the local people, you know, a viable income and they employ women and it’s just incredible. I mean they have changed, and you know they’ve risen the GDP of these countries like single handedly. So, the founder is one of the biggest mentors in my life. Heidi Kuhn. She is incredible. Look her up. K U H N. She has a book called Breaking Ground, and I’ve known her since I was a child, and she has been an enormous influence on my life.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, I went to go meet the Pope at the Vatican with her. A couple of years ago, I went to the Afghan Embassy in Washington, D.C. and we did some work there. So, this organization is very near and dear to my heart.

Melinda Wittstock:

She.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

She was actually. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year. She did not win, but she was nominated, which is a huge honor. So, yeah, it’s. It’s. When you’re having a bad day, google rootsofpeace.org and you will just, just. It’s just incredible, the work that they do. And their tagline is like, peace through agriculture.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

So, you know, literally working with the land and with the local people when they’re at their most scariest times. So dangerous work, but one of the most beautiful organizations I’ve ever been a part of.

Melinda Wittstock:

How wonderful. Well, my gosh, Maria, thank you so much for putting your wings on and flying. Sorry, I’m just gonna say all that again. So, Maria, thank you so much. How uplifting and inspiring, all the amazing work that you’re doing and. And how you’re managing to walk through these kind of uncertain times. I want to make sure that people know how best to find you and work with you, find your wines, you know, support your charity. What’s the best way?

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Thank you. Let’s see. Instagram. I’m Maria Castellucci. Maria Moore, author, Dot. Maria Moore, author. I believe Castellucci Napa Valley is our wine brand.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

And, yeah, I would love. I would love to hear from you. So, if you’re listening and you feel inspired or you just want to come up and you’re close to the Napa Valley, I would love to host you and share books, wine, children, charity, all. All the things. So wonderful.

Melinda Wittstock:

Well, thank you so much for putting on your wings and flying with us today.

Maria Castellucci Moore:

Thank you, Melinda. This has been great.

[INTERVIEW ENDS]

Melinda Wittstock:

Maria Castellucci Moore is the founder of the luxury boutique winery Castellucci Napa Valley.

Melinda Wittstock:

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Melinda Wittstock:

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