Meet Our Winemaker: Michael Abernathy
Michael Abernathy’s journey to Napa Valley winemaking wasn’t a straight path—but it was destined. Born and raised in Georgia, he discovered his passion for wine during a summer job at Robert Mondavi Winery while still in college. That experience changed everything. By 2006, he had packed his bags and moved west, ready to immerse himself in the world of wine.
His career began in hospitality at Grgich Hills and Folio Fine Wine Partners, led by the Michael Mondavi family. But the more he learned, the more he felt pulled toward the winemaking side of the industry.
Trading the tasting room for the cellar, he worked his way up from Cellar Worker to Assistant Winemaker, sharpening his craft alongside some of the industry's most talented vintners. He deepened his technical expertise through winemaking courses at UC Davis and Napa Valley College, further refining his approach.
It was during his time at Folio that Michael crossed paths with Vintner, John Anthony Truchard, and Executive Winemaker, Jeff Kandarian. That connection proved pivotal, leading him to join John Anthony Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker in 2016. Today, as John Anthony Vineyards Head Winemaker, Michael carries our winemaking forward with precision, complexity, and structure that defines John Anthony Vineyards wines.
Winemaking Philosophy
For Michael, winemaking is about balance—allowing the fruit to shine while making thoughtful refinements to enhance and elevate each wine.
“One of the things that makes John Anthony Vineyards so special,” he explains, “is our portfolio of estates meticulously managed by our in-house farming team. We have full control over every step, from planting and pruning through to harvest, ensuring we pick at the optimal moment to capture the best expression of each varietal.”
John Anthony’s vineyards stretch across Napa Valley, from all the way north to our Calistoga Vineyard—where Cabernet Sauvignon thrives—to the cool-climate Jameson Canyon Vineyard in the south, home to our elegant Chardonnay. Each site is precision farmed, with a deep understanding of how the terroir shapes the wine, just as John learned in his youth farming his family’s estates.
Innovation Beyond the Vineyard
In addition to hands-on vineyard management, John Anthony Vineyards wines are crafted using cutting-edge technology at Napa Valley’s leading custom crush premises, where Michael oversees every stage of production.
“We use state-of-the-art destemmers that deliver whole, clean berries to the fermentation tanks,” he shares. “Our tanks feature automated pump-over systems, precision temperature controls, and aeration technology to optimize fermentation. Our dedicated white wine barrel room stays cool throughout harvest, allowing for a slow, controlled barrel fermentation process.”
These innovations ensure that each wine develops with maximum depth and complexity while staying true to the John Anthony Vineyards signature style. A commitment to French oak aging and minimal racking allows the wines to evolve naturally, creating layers of nuance in every bottle.
What’s Next at John Anthony Vineyards
As the vineyards wake up from their winter dormancy, our team is in full swing—pruning and preparing the vines for another promising season. In the cellar, select lots from the 2024 vintage are completing malolactic fermentation, while our newly bottled 2022 vineyard-designate wines rest before release. Looking ahead, bottling for the 2024 vintage begins in July, starting with Chardonnay, followed by 2023 vintage reds: Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon in August. Michael is already fine-tuning blends, excited about what’s to come.
“Both the 2023 and 2024 vintages are shaping up to be phenomenal,” he says. “I can’t wait to share these wines with our collectors and customers—they truly showcase the best of what John Anthony Vineyards is all about.” With a deep respect for tradition and an eye toward innovation, Michael Abernathy continues to shape the future of John Anthony Vineyards and embodies the best of Napa Valley. Each bottle tells a story of meticulous vineyard care, thoughtful winemaking, and a commitment to crafting wines that stand the test of time.
John’s vision for his signature Napa Valley wine brand is to select the best vineyards for their varietal, craft wines that embody their world-class terroir, and share them with people who truly appreciate them. As the winery approaches the release of our 20th vintage in 2026, we are thankful for the expertise and craftsmanship of Michael Abernathy and his mentor Jeff Kandarian in helping to realize this vision today and for the decades to come.