Born and Raised in the Napa Valley, Michael’s passion for wine came naturally and his depth of experience in both the cellar and the vineyards gives him unique insight into crafting wines. Over his career, Michael has had the fortune to work in a variety of regions, both domestically and abroad—from Napa Valley and the Russian River Valley, to Mendocino, Paso Robles, and even Argentina. Before joining the Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards in 2018 as Winemaker for EnRoute and Bella Union, Michael spent four years at Goldeneye Winery beginning first as the Assistant Winemaker before ultimately rising the ranks with the title of Winemaker. Prior to taking the helm at Goldeneye, he spent several years in Vineyard Management roles with both Ardzrooni Vineyard Management and DAOU Vineyards. Michael obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business, with a minor in Wine in Viticulture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2010. Utilizing his diverse background, Michael now serves as the Director of Winemaking for EnRoute, Bella Union and Post & Beam overseeing winemaking excellence across these wineries.
