John 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.

Over the last 30 years Michele Truchard has built her career at the intersection of wine, nutrition, and wellness. As a fourth-generation Napan, and successful Vintner she brings a unique combination of experience shaped by early work in nutrition and dietetics, a lifelong passion for fitness, and decades in Napa Valley hospitality. Her philosophy is simple: balance should be lived, not just talked about. She strives to bring that idea to life every day. Today, that philosophy shapes both her lifestyle and her work as an ambassador for John Anthony Wine & Spirits brands, helping wine lovers rethink how wine can fit into a more balanced way of living.

She attended San Diego State University before earning her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Sacramento State University. During this time, she also became a fitness instructor. She began her professional career on the nutrition and dietetics teams at UCSF Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, where she reviewed meal plans to support patients’ health needs, with a focus on pediatrics.

While building her clinical career, she spent weekends working trade hospitality events at Freemark Abbey in Napa Valley while also training for her first marathon and went on to complete multiple half marathons. The experience reinforced her belief that a healthy lifestyle and a love of wine can exist side by side.

Michele first met John Anthony Truchard in high school in Napa and they started dating while attending San Diego State University. When he returned to Northern California to pursue viticulture, she joined him, bringing her perspective on nutrition and lifestyle into Napa Valley hospitality. She later led events at Rutherford Hill Winery, part of the Terlato Wine Group, where she developed one of Napa Valley’s early food and wine pairing programs focused on balance and flavor.

In 2003, John founded John Anthony Vineyards, and Michele joined him in supporting the new winery and hand selling its early wines. Over the past two decades, the couple has grown John Anthony Wine & Spirits into a portfolio of nationally recognized wine brands, including household name Butter Chardonnay while raising three children in Napa Valley. Along the way, Michele launched her own sparkling wine program, La Dame Michele, completed several more half marathons and running races in support of the Napa Community, and has became known for the thoughtful hospitality she brings to gatherings at their Carneros home for family,friends, and the many philanthropic pursuits that she and John support.

Today, Michele serves as a spokesperson for John Anthony Wine & Spirits, with a focus on Butter Wines and the launch of ButterZero. Drawing on her background in nutrition, fitness, and wine, she helps lead conversations around balance, moderation, and evolving wine occasions. Through her family, work, and her own lifestyle, Michele leads by example in showing that balance does not have to mean giving up the simple pleasures of sharing wine.