Meet the Vintners

Jake Krausz grew up in the Napa Valley, where an early immersion in vineyards and the rhythms of mountain farming shaped his appreciation for wine and the land that produces it.

After spending a decade in the music industry, Jake returned to Napa Valley in 2010 to rejoin his family’s estate and immerse himself fully in the world of wine. Eager to deepen his understanding from vine to glass, he worked closely alongside winemaker Sam Kaplan in both the vineyard and cellar while also completing the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Certified Sommelier exam.

Today, Jake serves as Arkenstone’s Estate Director and international brand ambassador, overseeing all sales, business development, marketing, and hospitality for the winery. He works closely with collectors, trade partners, and members of the Arkenstone Collection around the world, sharing the story of the estate and helping guide guests through the wines with an approachable, personal style.

While much of his work connects Arkenstone to the broader wine community, Jake remains deeply involved in the day-to-day life of the estate, reflecting the hands-on, family-driven spirit that defines the winery.

Cradled between Spring Mountain and the valley floor, Bergman renews an historic voice of Napa viticulture. Pioneer Florentine Kellogg settled the land in 1846 and planted a 2-acre vineyard. In the 1970s, the Heinemann family’s grapes became one of the earliest single-vineyard-designation wines in Napa Valley.

In 2013 the vineyard was replanted as Bergman by renowned vineyard manager David Abreu, who matched varieties and rootstocks to each distinctive micro-climate. The 10-acre site, encircled by centuries-old redwoods, is planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with Petit Verdot, Merlot, and 2 acres of Chardonnay. Its Aiken soil and 500–700 foot elevation give the wines complex, full-bodied tannins. The vineyard is certified organic and farmed with regenerative practices.

The Bergman family fell in love with this site, leading to its acquisition in 2013. Since then, they have channelled collective energy and individual talents into the project, convinced of the singular qualities of this historic voice of Napa viticulture.

The family has been involved in all aspects of the project at every stage of its development. They firmly believe that stewardship should be an act of listening and of giving back to the site.

Founded in 2005, BEVAN CELLARS was born from a desire to create wines of power, balance, and emotion from Napa Valley’s most expressive vineyard sites. Over the past twenty years, we have been fortunate to work with remarkable growers across the valley from the red soils of Tench Vineyard in Oakville to the storied vines of Dr. Crane in St. Helena, capturing the essence of these extraordinary places in every vintage.

At BEVAN CELLARS our philosophy has remained steadfast since the beginning: the journey is just as meaningful as the destination. Each vintage is an opportunity to seek out exceptional vineyards and craft wines that balance intensity with elegance while honoring the character of the land.

With a sustainable approach in both the vineyard and the cellar, our team approaches every harvest with renewed inspiration. The result is wines that are compelling upon release and equally rewarding after years in the cellar.

“My goal is to craft massively concentrated wines with refined textures and verve, while never compromising our level of technical excellence.” — Russell Bevan, Winemaker + Founder

With more than 30 wines receiving perfect scores, winemaker Russell Bevan is trusted by collectors, sommeliers, and premier dining establishments.

In 1997, three months into dating Sarah, 27-year-old Michael Browne asked her to move with him from Seattle to Sonoma County so he could become a winemaker. She said yes. They arrived in a broken-down Jetta, and for years Michael worked days at a winery and nights in a restaurant while Sarah worked full-time, holding on to his promise that they would one day have a winery of their own.

That road led first to co-founding Kosta Browne and, eventually, to a family winery of their own in the heart of the Russian River Valley. There, the Brownes pour more than two decades of hard work into their signature wines, CIRQ and CHEV, taking their time with every detail while raising their three children.

Established in 2012, Crown Point Vineyards farms an estate in the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, the warmest corner of Santa Barbara County, on rocky, mineral-rich soils. The estate grows Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. Winemaker Simon Faury works alongside consulting winemaker Philippe Melka.

AJ Fairbanks brings more than two decades of experience in luxury wine. His family ties include Napa Valley’s Hyde Vineyard, and he began his career managing the family’s Hyde de Villaine project before returning to Santa Barbara Wine Country in 2014. At Crown Point he oversees business operations and long-term brand strategy.

In 2006 Grant and Renée headed for the Willamette Valley to join its community of world class Pinot Noir producers, always with a pocket dream of someday pioneering a project of their own. Grant’s 10 years working in cellars and vineyards (Hamacher, Beaux Freres, Flaneur) gave him the experience to forge a path of his own and the curiosity to want to push the limits.

In 2015 their dream was realized when Renée left her job in education, they sold their house, and put all the money into their first 450 cases. Since then, they’ve grown Hundred Suns through experience and grit (the two of them still manage all aspects of the winery). In the cellar, high vigilance allows for low intervention, and an understanding of how things work allows for the deeper experimentation that makes their wines distinct. Their goal still remains for the wines to be classically delicious with a little something special you can’t put your finger on.

Helen Keplinger and her husband, DJ Warner, founded Keplinger Wines after Helen’s time making wine in Spain’s Priorat region. The winery makes small-lot, single-vineyard wines from Rhône varieties such as Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, grown on hillside and mountain sites in Napa, Sonoma and the Sierra Foothills, and has added a single-vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon.

DJ Warner is the co-owner and co-founder of Keplinger Wines in Napa Valley, which he launched in 2006 alongside his wife, master winemaker Helen Keplinger.

Helen earned a master’s degree in enology at UC Davis and has worked alongside Heidi Barrett, Michel Rolland and David Abreu. She has been winemaker for Kenzo Estate and Bryant Family Vineyard, currently makes wine for Grace Family Vineyards, and was named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine in 2012.

After working with corporate, private equity, and small luxury focused wine brands in the Napa Valley (Beringer Wine Estates) & Sonoma County (Williams Selyem & Kosta Browne) for the first sixteen years of his career in the wine industry, Sam and his wife Jennifer decided to toss all their cards on the table and take their hobby winemaking venture to the next level. They borrowed against their savings and began building the foundation to develop a small Pinot Noir focused winery in the summer of 2012.

Today, as in 2025, LANDO Wines celebrates thirteen years of producing delicious Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Sta. Rita Hills appellations. It has not been an easy path due to damage and losses from the fires in 2017 and 2020. However, through difficult times and adversity, these experiences galvanized their persistence and desire to press forward. Without a war chest of generational funding, these first-generation vintners could not be prouder of what they have been able to overcome while maintaining focus to create better and better wines with each vintage.

From the beginning, the goal has been and continues to be - make fresh fruit forward, intense, yet elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. They push themselves to make great wines they enjoy drinking and take great pride in sharing with dear friends. In short, they’re delicious. While the greater amount of the wines are offered in small, allocated amounts twice a year to a mailing list of consumers (via spring and fall releases), a small amount of their appellation wines are available in select markets (again, twice a year) to key on-prem (restaurants) and high-quality bottle shops via limited allocations.

Founded in 1989, Vineyard 29 is a prestigious Napa Valley winery rooted in the heart of St. Helena. With a portfolio spanning 47 planted acres across five estate vineyards, the winery combines exceptional vineyard sites with innovative, gravity-flow winemaking at its state-of-the-art facility. Vineyard 29 produces acclaimed estate wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Zinfandel, alongside its CRU Napa Valley collection. Led by President and CEO Keith Emerson, the winery remains committed to expressing the distinctive character of its vineyards through thoughtful craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for the St. Helena appellation.

Named for the study of rocks, Lithology makes single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from celebrated Napa Valley sites including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Dr. Crane and Las Piedras. Founded by Alejandro Bulgheroni with a first vintage in 2014, the winery is housed in a historic stone building at the base of Howell Mountain and works with consulting winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky.

Born in New Zealand, Matt began making wine on Waiheke Island before working harvests at Screaming Eagle and Bryant Estate. He joined Lithology in 2015 and is now its Winemaker and General Manager, with about twenty vintages of experience. His approach is low-intervention and vineyard-first.

Owned by Maurice Marciano, Marciano Estate sits in the foothills southwest of St. Helena. The vineyard was replanted under viticulturist David Abreu and the winery was designed by architect Howard Backen. The estate focuses on Bordeaux-style wines, led by Cabernet Sauvignon, from its own vineyard.

Raised in France, Bastien started at 14 with a summer job at Château Lynch-Bages. He earned a master’s degree in enology from the University of Bordeaux, worked harvests at Monteverro in Tuscany and Alpha Omega in Napa, and was winemaker at Maxville before joining Marciano Estate in 2023.

Founded in 2010 by childhood friends Adam Craun, Hayes Drumwright and Adriel Lares, Memento Mori makes limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon from acclaimed Napa Valley vineyards with winemaker Sam Kaplan. The founders translate the name as “Remember to Live.” The winery now has its own estate in Calistoga, and its first estate wine came from the 2023 vintage.

Adam studied at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts and designs the Memento Mori labels himself, including the 2025 redesign for the winery’s 15th anniversary. He also co-founded El Negocio Tequila.

Angelina, Alycia, Riana and Giovanna Mondavi are the fourth generation of the Peter Mondavi Sr. family. Together they own Dark Matter, launched in 2005; Aloft, a Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon; and Humble Beginnings, from the Russian River Valley. The company is entirely female-owned and operated, with Angelina as winemaker.

Alycia grew up working in her family’s vineyards and lab alongside her sisters. She joined the family business full time in 2012 and now leads the Mondavi Sisters Collection as CEO.

Christopher Morisoli grew up in Rutherford, California as the 5th generation of the Morisoli Family while working in the vineyard and driving tractors from a young age helping his father. He graduated from St Helena High School in 2002 and went to Sacramento State immediately following. During his college years Chris worked for the California Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection as a seasonal firefighter. In 2006 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency Management. Serving as an Aeromedical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Officer and flying UH-60A helicopters, Chris was assigned to Ft. Wainwright, AK. From there, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-2009 and to Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan from 2011-2012.

In 2013, then Captain Morisoli commanded a MEDEVAC detachment in Honduras, responsible for US Army MEDEVAC operations in Central America. In 2015 MAJ Morisoli moved to Oahu, Hawaii and Commanded another Army MEDEVAC Company at Wheeler Army Airfield. Chris and his “Dustoff” unit provided MEDEVAC coverage for government installations in Hawaii as well as many training partnerships in Southeast Asia. In 2018 LTC Morisoli joined the California Army National Guard where he continues to fly as an UH-60 L/M Instructor Pilot and Fire Pilot in Command during wildfire season.

After returning home to Rutherford, CA, Chris began working on his family’s vineyard with a new job title from his father of “Tractor Pilot”. Now teamed up with his parents Gary and Melody once again, Chris helps run the vineyard, drive tractors and sell grapes to many local Napa Valley wineries. Chris also began his own wine brand under the Morisoli Vineyard name and makes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel Field Blend from his great-grandfather’s 115 year old vines.

When Chris is not flying helicopters or driving tractors, he also volunteers at the local Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department. He serves as the departments training officer and helps respond to emergency calls within the local community.

As a VP for a national financial firm, Raj Patel knows the importance of high-quality investments geared toward steady long-term growth. It’s a model that’s served him well in his finance career—and as the owner of PATEL Napa Valley.

Raj was born in India’s Gujarat State and settled with his family in Northern California in the 1970s. He attended the University of California, Davis, where an internship at Robert Mondavi Winery stoked what would become a lifelong interest in fine wine.

Raj entered the finance industry after college, where he has worked in private wealth management and residential mortgage sales management, with a long-term goal to own a vineyard by age 55 in order to be able to produce his own Cabernet Sauvignon. But the advent of custom crushing—purchasing small amounts of fruit from established growers and producing the wine in other vintners’ wineries—in the early- to mid-2000s gave Raj the opportunity to realize his dream 15 years sooner.

PATEL Wines’ first release was 100 cases of a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate reviewed the wine, scoring it a 95, and The Wine Advocate has scored the subsequent vintages at 94 or above. A successful follow-up was the introduction of a Right Bank Bordeaux-style red wine in 2010.

Raj’s long-term goal was to add Bordeaux varietal wines from Napa Valley first-growth vineyards. “Our growth was always determined by our ability to source fruit that represents the hallmark of Napa Valley’s quality and expression in these varietals,” says Raj.

After years of research and cultivating relationships with growers, Raj was able to add five limited-production wines to the brand: a Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, a Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, a Coombsville Cabernet Franc, a Napa Valley Malbec, and a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Current total production is around 1,000 cases and sells out each year.

In 2017, Patel hired acclaimed consulting winemaker Julien Fayard to oversee the portfolio. Julien defined his winemaking style from working at grand chateaux in France such as Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite and alongside renowned Napa Valley winemaker Philippe Melka, and now works with some of the most highly acclaimed and sought-after wines from Napa Valley. “Julien’s expertise in working with classic Bordeaux varietals and Napa Valley’s terroir is a perfect match for our long-term vision for PATEL wines,” says Raj.

Revana Estate is the first winery in the international portfolio of winegrowing estates developed by Dr. Madaiah Revana. His passion for wine and the joy of living are expressed in Revana Estate and our collection of small lot Cabernet Sauvignon wines, crafted from the Estate’s vineyard and distinctive sites within the Napa Valley.

Revana Estate includes a winery designed by renowned architect Howard Backen, an organically farmed vineyard, and indoor and outdoor settings that are an idyllic backdrop for our warm and welcoming hospitality.

The Sangiacomo family has farmed in Sonoma since 1927 and is known for growing Chardonnay for many of California’s top wineries. The family launched its own label in 2018, making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its 2018 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay won Best of the Best at the 2020 North Coast Wine Challenge.

Founded in 2012 by winemakers James and Kerry MacPhail, Tongue Dancer Wines is a boutique winery dedicated to the art of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Driven by a passion for the grape, a spirit of curiosity, and a commitment to continual exploration, the MacPhails craft expressive wines that emphasize exceptional taste, texture, and balance. Intimate in scale and personal in approach, Tongue Dancer takes its name from the experience of wines so vibrant and textured they seem to dance on the tongue.

James MacPhail comes from a family with deep roots in the region’s business and agricultural communities. Combining an entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for the land, hospitality, and winemaking, he began working with Sonoma County wineries and growers in the 1990s, focusing on Pinot Noir from cool-climate vineyards. In 2002, he founded MacPhail Family Wines, crafting small-batch, vineyard-designated wines using traditional techniques and minimal intervention. He later launched Sequana, an exclusive Pinot Noir program for The Hess Collection, and went on to become an independent winemaker, collaborating with select producers including Sangiacomo Family Wines, where he crafts vineyard-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With more than 100 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines earning scores of 90 points or higher, James is recognized for his expertise in terroir-driven winemaking and his commitment to sustainable farming.

Saxon Brown is a small Sonoma Valley winery making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Semillon. Jeff launched it in 1997 and named it for the heroine of Jack London’s Valley of the Moon. Its vineyards include Hyde in Carneros and Gap’s Crown on the Sonoma Coast.

Black Kite Cellars makes single-vineyard and block-designate Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Saxon Brown’s Jeff Gaffner is its consulting winemaker, and Wine Spectator named it one of its “Hot Dozen New Pinot Producers.”

Jeff began his career at Chateau St. Jean under Richard Arrowood and was part of the team behind the 1996 Cinq Cépages, Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year. He is also consulting winemaker for labels including Black Kite Cellars and Stephanie by Hestan.

Sire Estate, founded in 2012 by Napa Valley insider Thomas Buck, is a boutique winery dedicated to crafting limited-production, single-vineyard wines that highlight the purity and pedigree of California’s most renowned terroirs. With acclaimed winemaker Julien Fayard at the helm, Sire focuses primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon, producing structured, powerful wines that reflect distinct vineyard character through meticulous, small-lot winemaking and cave aging in 100% new French oak. Vineyard sources span prestigious Napa Valley sites including Pritchard Hill’s Martinez and Montagna vineyards; as well as Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville, and Panek Vineyard in St Helena. With a current annual production of just over 750 cases, Sire wines are highly allocated and featured in acclaimed Napa restaurants including The French Laundry, PRESS, and Morimoto.

Sire Estate is the result of a lifelong journey—one that began far from vineyards and ended squarely in the heart of Napa Valley. Founded in 2012 by Thomas Buck, the winery reflects a deep respect for place, craft, and purity, shaped by years of curiosity and immersion rather than inheritance.

Buck grew up in Concord, CA in the East Bay and attended De La Salle High School, where annual retreats at Mont La Salle on Mt. Veeder first introduced him to Napa Valley. Visits to Greystone Winery—now home to the Culinary Institute of America—planted early seeds, though wine was far from central to his upbringing.

Originally intent on becoming a teacher, Buck studied literature and creative writing at Sonoma State, earning a B.A. in English with a minor in Communications. Wine entered his life almost by accident, through a part-time job as a tour guide while paying off student loans. Exposure quickly turned into fascination, then obsession. He spent his free time at small wineries, volunteering during harvest and learning the business from the ground up—often starting with cleaning equipment.

That path led him to Beau Wine Tours, where he rose from chauffeur to owner, ultimately building the company into one of the premier luxury wine tour operators in Napa and Sonoma. Along the way, Buck forged deep relationships throughout the wine community, relationships that would later make Sire Estate possible.

The first Sire Estate vintage was a tiny amount of 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville. Though its commercial debut came a year later with the 2013 Houyi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Pritchard Hill, the focus was clear from the start: single vineyard, single varietal, and single clone wines that speak honestly of site and vintage. For a full decade, Sire Estate produced only Cabernet Sauvignon. Beginning in 2023, the portfolio expands to include Cabernet Franc and a Fort Ross–Seaview Chardonnay, marking a thoughtful evolution rather than a departure.

The name Sire reflects the winery’s philosophy—purebred wines, driven by terroir, unmasked by excess winemaking. Rooted in Old English, the word signifies lineage and stewardship, a commitment to carrying something authentic forward. That ethos is mirrored in the wines themselves.

Introduced through Philippe Melka, Buck partnered with winemaker Julien Fayard, who continues to oversee production today. After early vintages at Arkenstone Winery on Howell Mountain, Sire Estate now calls Covert Estate in Coombsville home.

Ron and Karen Davidowski purchased this rugged 108-acre property above the Silverado Trail, overlooking Rector Reservoir, in 1993. Before a single vine could be planted, the family had to build roads and bring in utilities. The estate takes its name from a rusted-out Volkswagen bus that had to be hauled away to clear the first road up the hillside. The vineyard was planted in 2011, primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with small blocks of Cabernet Franc and Marsanne, and is farmed organically and certified Napa Green. Winemaker Sam Kaplan crafted the inaugural 2014 vintage, and today Vangone produces small lots of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon along with single-block bottlings from Block B and Block D.

Mark Davidowski, Ron and Karen’s son, owns Vangone Estate with his wife, Patty. Working alongside vineyard manager Mario Bazan and winemaker Sam Kaplan, Mark has carried his parents’ long-held vision for the property into a micro-production estate more than 20 years in the making.

Zakin Estate covers 150 southwest-facing acres on Howell Mountain, with rocky volcanic soil suited to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It makes two Cabernets: the Hillside, from the lower vineyards, and the Howell Mountain Estate, grown mostly on the upper vineyard at 1,450 feet.

Jan was an OB/GYN with a busy practice in Hawaii when she met Jon Zakin, who had bought the undeveloped Howell Mountain property planning to build and resell. They married on the property nine months later, and the plan to flip it became a winery.