Born in Italy and raised in California, Michael discovered his passion for Oregon Pinot Noir while working in Seattle restaurants, inspiring him to pursue a career in winemaking. His journey took him to the Central Coast of California, where he graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in enology and viticulture while starting as a vineyard worker before progressing to enologist and ultimately assistant winemaker at Cambria Estate Winery. In 2012, Michael took on the role of winemaker at Goldeneye Winery in Anderson Valley, where he honed his craft and became a prominent figure in the wine industry.

Always dreaming of returning to the heart of Pinot Noir in the Pacific Northwest, Michael joined Evenstad Estates in May 2017 as Director of Winemaking and Viticulture. In this role, he leads a talented team at both Domaine Serene in the picturesque Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley and Château de la Crée in Burgundy’s historic Côte de Beaune.

While celebrating over two decades of vintages, Michael remains unwavering in his commitment to crafting terroir-driven wines of the highest quality. His guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: “My goal isn’t to speak for the wines, but to let the wines speak for themselves.

Michael is a panelist for The Pinnacle of Pinot Noir: Explore the Grand Cru Vineyards of the West Coast on Friday, February 28  from 9:30am - 11:30am.