ohn Anthony Truchard, Founder and CEO of John Anthony Wine & Spirits, leads one of the fastest-growing wine businesses of our generation. John’s interest in wine began in his family’s vineyards, where he learned viticulture from his father, Tony Truchard, and other iconic Napa Valley pioneers. John studied biology at the University of San Diego, transferring to UC Davis to focus on wine. John started a vineyard management business in the mid-1990s—growing grapes for others to eventually realize the funds to plant his own vineyards and make wines under the John Anthony Vineyards label.

John produced his first estate wines in 2003 with a Syrah and a Cabernet Sauvignon that received notable 92Pt scores from James Laube, Wine Spectator, placing John Anthony Vineyards on the map as one of the finest producers in the Napa Valley. The John Anthony collection now includes both Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon in distribution and a portfolio of single-vineyard releases exclusively available through the John Anthony Vineyards Tasting Lounge in downtown Napa.

In 2008, John resolved to make great wines accessible to more people with the brand JaM Cellars (short for John and his wife, Michele). The result was a rich, bold Californian Cabernet Sauvignon under $20 called JaM Cabernet. Its success prompted the creation of a creamy Chardonnay called Butter Chardonnay. Butter Chardonnay’s popularity has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, becoming a household name as the #1 selling premium SKU of Chardonnay over $12 (Nielsen 2025, 52 weeks) and recognized multiple times by Shanken News Impact as a Hot Brand and Blue Chip brand. Butter Chardonnay is also available in 250ml ButterCans, the #1 selling Chardonnay in a can. Over the last several years, the Butter lineup has expanded with more easy-to-love varietals: Butter Cab, Butter Sauv Blanc, and Butter Pinot Noir. In 2025, Butter Wines launched ButterLight Chardonnay with 40% less alcohol and a third less calories, rated the #1 Best-Tasting Light wine in a blind tasting by the Tasting Panel, also available in cans. In 2026, John expanded Butter to disrupt the wine category’s fastest-growing segment with ButterZero non-alcoholic wine in four varietals: Sparkling Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Butter now offers wines for every taste and occasion across Original Butter, Light, Zero, and To Go—all under $20 in the wine aisle and on the menu.

John continues to conceive and launch new brands that offer distinct value propositions and exceptional quality across price points. Serial Wines showcases the fast-growing and diverse terroirs of Paso Robles, with a White Blend, Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon in distribution. The winery in downtown Paso Robles received the accolade of 10Best New Winery of 2022 by USA Today and continues to release small batch, varietal-specific wines from Paso’s sub-AVAs. Weather Wines is a collection that focuses on expressive Burgundian varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, grown in their most ideal microclimates, currently sourcing from Sonoma Coast, Russian River, and Los Carneros, Napa Valley.

In 2025, John Anthony Wine & Spirits expanded beyond wine with a Tequila soda RTD, Johnny Tejas, in four natural fruit flavors. A full shot of real Blanco Tequila from NOM1438 Jalisco, Mexico, and sparkling soda—each just 100 calories, 5% Alc., GF, and no added sugars. In October 2025, John released a collection of Japanese Sakes, Hachidori, in a Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, and a Daiginjo—earning the prestigious Silver Award at the 2025 U.S. National Sake Appraisal blind tasting.

Despite his more than two decades in the wine business, John is just getting started in bringing his entrepreneurial leadership and vision to the beverage industry.

Jeff was born and raised in the agriculturally based San Joaquin Valley of California and knew early on that he wanted to make wine. At California State University of Fresno he studied Enology and Chemistry earning his Bachelor of Sciences degree.

Jeff honed his winemaking craft at both large and small wineries in the Paso Robles AVA, notably including Justin, Meridian, Eberle and Shandon Valley Partners. Eventually, the northern, cool, coastal climate in Oregon called to him and he landed there as Winemaker with Del Rio Vineyards and Winery.

In the summer of 2008, Jeff joined King Estate, taking the mantel of Director of Winemaking and Viticulture in 2010. His energy and passion for winemaking translated to exceptional wines for King Estate. Jeff also established himself as a respected voice in the industry, speaking at wine industry symposia on his approach for making outstanding Oregon Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. During his tenure, King Estate received “Winery of the Year” on three separate occasions from Wine & Spirits Magazine.

In 2014 Jeff connected with John Truchard, relocated to the Napa Valley and took over winemaking for the John Anthony Wine & Spirits portfolio. Jeff makes wine across the signature collection of John Anthony Vineyards; the all-occasion Californian wines JaM Cellars; a Paso Robles wine series for Serial Wines; and the Burgundian-varietal portfolio Weather Wines. As John Anthony Wine & Spirits Executive Winemaker, Jeff continues to add to his career collection of over fifty 90+ points ratings from Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate—confirming his skill as a world-class winemaker.

Michael Abernathy’s journey to Napa Valley winemaking wasn’t a straight path—but it was destined. Born and raised in Georgia, he discovered his passion for wine during a summer job at Robert Mondavi Winery while still in college. That experience changed everything. By 2006, he had packed his bags and moved west, ready to immerse himself in the world of wine.

His career began in hospitality at Grgich Hills and Folio Fine Wine Partners, led by the Michael Mondavi family. But the more he learned, the more he felt pulled toward the winemaking side of the industry.

Trading the tasting room for the cellar, he worked his way up from Cellar Worker to Assistant Winemaker, sharpening his craft alongside some of the industry's most talented vintners. He deepened his technical expertise through winemaking courses at UC Davis and Napa Valley College, further refining his approach.

It was during his time at Folio that Michael crossed paths with Vintner, John Anthony Truchard, and Executive Winemaker, Jeff Kandarian. That connection proved pivotal, leading him to join John Anthony Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker in 2016. Today, as John Anthony Vineyards Head Winemaker, Michael carries our winemaking forward with precision, complexity, and structure that defines John Anthony Vineyards wines.