Born in Italy and raised in California, Michael was always intrigued by the outdoors. His first job ever was in Christmas Tree Farm which eventually led him to begin his education at the University of Washington studying Forestry Management. While falling in love with Oregon Pinot noir while working in restaurants in Seattle, Fay began to think that it may be more fun to grow and sell wine than it would be to grow and sell paper. This began his journey to the Central Coast of California where he worked first in the vineyard, than as an enologist and lastly as the assistant winemaker at Cambria Estate Winery from 2001 to 2012, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while leading a team of up to 25 employees in the lab and cellar.

Fay graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in enology and viticulture. In 2012, he became the winemaker for Goldeneye Winery in Anderson Valley —a sister-label to Duckhorn —where he focused on making distinguished, terroir-driven Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley, making a name for himself in the world of wine.

It was always Michael’s dream to return to the Pacific Northwest and Oregon specifically as the Willamette Valley is the spiritual home and quality standard for Pinot noir in North America. He found a home at one of our industries leaders, Domaine Serene. In May of 2017, he started in his role of Director of Winemaking and Viticulture of The Evenstad Estates, overseeing the talented team of winemakers and viticulturalists at both Domaine Serene, located in the beautiful Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley, and Château de la Crée in the Santenay region of Burgundy’s historicCôte de Beaune.

Celebrating his 20th vintage this year his vision for terroir-driven wines of utmost quality has never wavered, and is encapsulated by his overriding philosophy: “My goal isn’t to speak for the wines, but to let the wines speak for themselves.”Michael Fay joined Evenstad Estates as the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking in 2017, overseeing a deeply talented team at Domaine Serene in Oregon and Château de la Crée in Burgundy’s historic Côte de Beaune.

Michael is a panelist for The Legacy Generational Library Tasting - Know Your Winemaker Seminar on Friday, March 1, from 9:30am - 11:30am.