Our Rock Star Team

Wine Making

Jeff Fontanella

Jeff Fontanella, our winemaker, has been making wine in Napa Valley for 10 years. A graduate of the University of California at Davis he holds a degree in Viticulture and Enology. Jeff began his winemaking career working in the cellars of Opus One and ZD. Soon after, he took a position at one of Napa’s great cult wineries, Saddleback Cellars. At Saddleback Jeff sharpened his winemaking skills under the tutelage of Nils Venge, whom Robert Parker named one of the 20 most influential winemakers in the world.  While challenged with the task of producing wines from 13 different varietals, Jeff was able to display his versatility as a winemaker, matching different winemaking techniques with specific vineyards in order to achieve the wines full potential.

Throughout his career, Jeff has crafted wines that have received several 90+ point ratings from Robert Parker, the Wine Spectator, and the Wine Enthusiast.  He was featured as one of "The Next Napa Superstars" by Vinography.com at the 2008 Aspen Food and Wine Classic.  His wines made a repeat visit at the 2009 Food and Wine Classic, when the Fontanella Family Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon was highlighted.

Farming

Vinewerkes - John Anthony Truchard

We believe that excellent vintners make the best farmers. John Anthony Wines has received five 90+ ratings by both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.

John Anthony Truchard was raised in a family tradition of farming and worked hand in hand with his father learning the wine business.  It was during this time where he learned to enjoy the hard work, dedication, and focus required to produce world class grapes that yield world class wines.

10 years vineyard management experience, 12 years experience making award winning wines.

Custom Barrel Art

Gordon Huether

Napa artist Gordon Huether brings his unique talent to your wine making experience, by creating a custom piece of hand-made art from our wine barrels. No two pieces are alike. 

Gordon has been creating large-scale public projects, residential commissions and fine art for more than 25 years.  During this time his work has been exhibited at museums and galleries across the country and he has received more than 50 public art commissions and more than 150 private commissions. Huether’s fine art is widely collected.