Winemaking Team

Winemaker Mike Drash Winemaker Mike Drash

Mike Drash

Winemaker

LUNA VINEYARDS' WINEMAKER MIKE DRASH HAS SOMETHING TO SAY about that mysterious quality that makes certain wines stand out from the rest: "The secret of the world's best wines, " Mike says, " is soul. That soul comes from the vineyard and the winemaker's hands."

Those comments aren't just idle speculation; throughout the course of his career, Mike Drash has made a number of award-winning red wines. In 1993, he launched his career in the wine industry at De Loach Vineyards, where he accumulated valuable experience producing world-class small lot Zinfandel. In 1996, he teamed up with J Wine Company in Sonoma, and later he went to Far Niente, where he spent five years helping to create Far Niente's noted Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The secret of world's best wines is soul...

Drash brings a passion for quality to Luna Vineyards, leading the winemaking team in their continued pursuit of creating wines that mirror the handcrafted, artisanal techniques of Old World Masters. Luna Vineyards is known for its distinctive Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese, which have consistently received high ratings from top wine critics. Early 2007 brought the release of several outstanding red Bordeaux varietals that Mike and his team have crafted, earning rave reviews from Stephen Tanzer and Wine Spectator.

Drash believes that the best winemakers are those who educate themselves to know the basics, but follow their intuition throughout the creative process. He continues to hone Luna's proven practices of native yeast fermentation and extended maceration, which have shown to produce exceptional results.