Michael Michaud

After earning a BS in Chemistry and moving on to the enology and viticulture department at U.C. Davis, Michael became assistant winemaker at Chalone Vineyard in 1979, under the legendary Richard Graff.

In 1983 he became winemaker and led the winery to outstanding reviews and accolades. His wines at Chalone were often awarded Wine Spectator magazine’s “Selection” and “Cellar Selection” designations, frequently scoring over 90 points. His Chalone Chardonnays are included in James Laube’s Great Chardonnays of California. Robert Parker has written favorably of his wines, particularly those made since 1990, calling the Chalone Appellation “the Montrachet of California.”

In those words, Michael finds his hightest compliment and his greatest challenge. Today in California winemaking, much of the wine produced has lost its original varietal character to large scale farming and mainstream, market-driven winemaking. Michael’s wines, on the other hand, reveal both the intensity and the subtlety of the place where the grapes are grown.

In January of 1998, he left Chalone to pursue the further development of his family owned vineyard full-time. His carefully tended vineyards look quite improbable in the arid surroundings, where scorpions, rattlesnakes, coyotes and wild boar make their home.

In 2005, Michael collaborated with Matt and Kevin to produce two LIOCO labels: Chardonnay “Michaud” and Pinot Noir “Michaud.”

Michael lives with his wife, Carol, in Woodside. He is most happy when driving his tractor.