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.