A Sonoma County native, Mike was born and raised in the Dry Creek Valley of Healdsburg, California. While his mother was employed at E&J Gallo Winery for decades, he was raised on the historic Frei Ranch and spent his earliest years exploring the vineyards and cellar. Some of Mike’s fondest memories are tasting fruit ripening over the growing season and smelling aromatics of fermentation wafting out of the winery. These childhood memories made a firm imprint on Mike’s trajectory, and he knew he would make wine professionally one day.
Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from Cornell University in 2012, and more recently a Master of Business Administration in Wine Business from Sonoma State University in 2021. He has completed vintages in Marlborough, New Zealand as well as Mendoza, Argentina, and is just entering his 14th harvest. Mike’s meticulous approach to winemaking has been heavily influenced by legends such as Michel Rolland, Martha McCllelan, Bob Levy, and Jennifer Williams, and is forever grateful for their training. It is Mike’s philosophy that truly outstanding wine can only be crafted in the vineyard, therefore, attention to detail in farming is paramount to a wine’s success.
