Michael L. Updegraff
While studying chemistry, psychology and business management in Boston, Michael worked throughout his college years at Harvard Wine & Liquor. Upon graduating, he immediately jumped into his beat-up old van and headed west to California, bound and determined to one day run a premium Napa Valley winery. After ten years working at Sonoma’s historic Buena Vista Winery in all areas, from tasting room to cellar to vineyards to sales, he was appointed Managing Director of Swanson Vineyards in Oakville, Napa Valley. After ten years there, he was took a job as General Manager of Cliff Lede Vineyards in the nearby Stags Leap District and then Turnbull Wine Cellars back in Oakville. In 2005 Michael co-founded Updegraff Marketing, where he consults with some of Napa Valley’s best wineries. Michael loves being outdoors, whether it’s backpacking through the Sierras, walking through the vineyards, or hanging out with his wife and boys in the backyard of their Napa Valley home.

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