Napa Valley's St. Supéry Vineyards Hires Markham's Winemaker

Michael Beaulac will join the Rutherford winery after this year's harvest.

Daniel Sogg
Posted: October 8, 2001

Napa Valley winemaker Michael Beaulac is leaving Markham Vineyards in St. Helena at the end of this year's harvest to become winemaker at St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery in Rutherford. Markham's assistant winemaker, Kimberlee Nicholls, who has been with the winery for nine years, will replace him.

At St. Supéry, Beaulac is taking over for winemaker Michael Scholz, who is moving to Wattle Creek Winery in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. St. Supéry produces about 150,000 cases per year, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Beaulac will also assist in the marketing and financial management of the estate.

Markham is one of Napa Valley's outstanding producers of modestly priced, high quality wines. About one-third of its 150,000-case production is Merlot, with the balance mostly Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet.

Beaulac, who joined Markham in 1997, said he decided to make the change to focus his winemaking responsibilities and to gain more experience with the business end of the industry. As Markham's winemaker, he not only has overseen its 150,000-case Napa portfolio, he also directs production of the 160,000-case Glass Mountain label, made from Central Valley grapes. In addition, he has taken over La Jota Winery's annual production of 4,500 cases, after Markham purchased the Howell Mountain property early this year.

Check our recent ratings of Markham and St. Supérywines.

Learn more about Markham: