Mike Richmond

Michael Richmond was born and raised in Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1968 with an under graduate degree in special education. He immigrated to the Napa Valley in 1970 following an eighteen-month cross-country bicycle tour. Michael's career in wine began immediately. He was employed by Freemark Abbey, a pioneering Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay producer. Freemark Abbey sponsored his wine education through short courses at the University of California at Davis and by engaging him in virtually all aspects of small winery operations. Michael's ultimate responsibility was director of sales and marketing.

In 1979 Michael, Larry Brooks, and a financial partner co-founded Acacia Winery, structured as a limited partnership.

As a managing partner and founding winemaker Michael was responsible for the production of the wines, designing and constructing the winery, managing and developing a 40 acre Chardonnay vineyard, as well as developing Acacia's marketing plan and distribution network. Acacia's production focused on the challenge of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the context of pioneering what was then considered an unproven region, the Carneros. The initial Acacia Wines received unanimous critical acclaim.

In 1986 Chalone Inc. acquired Acacia Winery from the limited partnership and appointed Michael vice president of sales for the entire Chalone group, which at the time consisted of four wineries, Chalone Vineyard, Edna Valley Vineyard, Carmenet Vineyard, and Acacia Winery. In this capacity Michael traveled throughout the U.S. creating Chalone's distribution network. Michael held this position until 1993 at which time he was given the opportunity to return to his Cabernet roots with an appointment as Managing Director of Carmenet Vineyard. During his tenure at Carmenet he revised the Carmenet marketing plan and created the Dynamite Cabernet brand. His understanding of Cabernet Sauvignon production was honed during this 5 year stint of producing Cabernet varieties with Carmenet winemaker Jeff Baker and enology consultant, Leo McCloskey.

Michael and Larry Brooks in 1990, while still full time Chalone Inc. employees, co-founded the 11/2 acre T&A Vineyard, named after their wives, Theresa and Alexis. From this small Nebbiolo and Sangiovese vineyard came the Amethyst Vinalia red wine and the inspiration for the Amethyst Winery.

In 1998 Michael was asked to return to Acacia winery as general manager. The new generation of award winning Pinot Noirs now being produced by Acacia was largely a fulfillment of his vision of the new and changing world of Pinot Noir. In 2002 Michael resigned from Acacia and focused his energies on the creation of a new and much expanded Amethyst Winery.

Michael and Theresa, his wife of 17 years, live in Carneros on the formerly T&A, now Richmond Vineyard. They have two daughters. Michael is an avid cyclist and outdoorsman.

Go to Larry Brooks' bio