Join us as we raise a glass to 20 incredible years of passion, craft, and community at Muscardini Cellars! Our 20th Anniversary Party will be a heartfelt celebration of this historic milestone—filled with our signature wines, delicious Italian-inspired fare, live music from the Jami Jamison Band, and more. This event will feature the highly anticipated release of our 2021 Tesoro and 2022 Contessa wines – exclusive pre-release pricing is currently available on these special releases! By reserving futures now, you’ll not only guarantee access to these sought-after wines—you’ll be securing them at a special pre-release price. Our friends from Happy Cat Pizza will also be serving up woodfired pizzas and seasonal salad and there will of course be cake to celebrate 20 years of Muscardini Cellars and Michael Muscardini’s 75th birthday! It’s more than a party, it’s a gathering of friends, family, and all those who’ve been part of the journey. Expect an unforgettable afternoon that captures the essence of la dolce vita and the warm hospitality that defines everything we do. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
The Story of Michael Muscardini
At Muscardini Cellars, every bottle tells a story. But none so rich, personal, and deeply rooted in passion as the story of our founder, Michael Muscardini—a man who followed his heart from the world of art and architecture into the soulful pursuit of winemaking. This is his love letter, written not in ink, but in Sangiovese and Syrah.
The Seeds of a Dream
It all began in 1997, when Michael purchased a piece of land in Sonoma, a place he chose for its quiet beauty and close proximity to his construction company in Oakland. What started as a dream to build a family home soon blossomed into something far greater. In 1999, fate introduced him to his neighbor Ty Caton. Together, they enrolled in viticulture and winemaking classes at UC Davis. In 1999, Michael planted his first vineyard of Sangiovese—the noble grape of his Italian heritage. Five years later, the vines matured, and Michael harvested his very first crop of grapes from Monte Terra Vineyards. In 2001, he converted a modest two-car garage into a humble winemaking workshop, joined by two dear friends. Over shared laughs and stained hands, they crafted their first wines—Sangiovese, Syrah, and Zinfandel. In that garage, something ignited in Michael: a passion that would chart the course of the rest of his life.
The Birth of Muscardini Cellars
In 2005, Muscardini Cellars was born. Michael’s inaugural vintage was a tribute to his heritage and his imagination—a bold “Super Tuscan” blend inspired by a summer spent touring Tuscany and learning from legendary winemakers like Franco Biondi Santi. Franco, who became a mentor, taught Michael that great wine comes from a deep knowledge of wine, generosity of spirit, and unwavering dedication to craft. Back in Sonoma, actor and winemaker Squire Fridell gave Michael the wisdom to start small and stay focused. That first release, capped at just over 800 cases, included 100% Sangiovese from Healdsburg, Syrah from the Unti Family Vineyard, and the now-iconic Tesoro blend—a wine lovingly named “treasure” by Michael’s mother, Theresa Alchera.
A Mother’s Love & Italian Roots
Theresa wasn’t just Michael’s mother; she was his guiding star. Dressed in her trademark red suspenders, black pants, and white shirt, she would join Michael at the tasting room, signing bottles of Tesoro with a gold pen beside him. Her spirit lives in every bottle, in every pour. Michael’s Italian roots run deep. His grandfather, Emilio Alchera, emigrated from Calliano, Italy in 1909 with just 36 dollars in his pocket. He went on to own wine shops and grocery stores across San Francisco, even selling wine by the gallon after Prohibition. Emilio’s grit, his charm, and his love of life left a lasting impression on Michael, who proudly holds dual citizenship and still visits the family compound in Calliano. Michael continues his legacy with his own two children Gian Carlo and Marie and four grandchildren, Khalil, Aya, Siena, and Rocco. Marie has taken an active role in Muscardini Cellars today.
A Legacy Built on Art and Connection
Before he ever crushed a grape, Michael was an artist. A graduate of the California College of the Arts, he brought his creative eye to everything—from construction projects to wine labels. He currently serves on the college’s Board of Trustees and continues to live a life surrounded by art and design. His wife Kate Eilertsen is a celebrated leader in the contemporary art world and together they find beauty in the intersections of culture, creativity, and craft.
Moments That Matter
Over the past two decades, Michael has marked many milestones. From producing wine at Wellington Vineyards to launching a shared tasting room in Kenwood and finally moving into Muscardini Cellars’ forever home—a historic, one-room schoolhouse in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Every space, every step, has been filled with purpose and passion. The team at Muscardini Cellars has made the tasting room a place that is filled with warmth and hospitality. That team includes General Manager Natalie Owdom, Tasting Room Manager Nick Ciccolella and Membership & Experiences Director Karen Hannah. Michael often says he couldn’t have done this without them. Michael has also become a champion of local growers, forging strong relationships with vineyard partners who share his dedication to quality and care. From Monte Rosso to Rancho Salina, these collaborations are the backbone of Muscardini wines.
La Dolce Vita
Michael’s love affair with Italy continues. Whether its curating intimate wine tours in Tuscany, bottling a Super Tuscan called “Contessa” in Florence, or sipping his wines at cherished restaurants like Golden View and La Tana di Ugo—Italy is a place where his heart finds home. During the pandemic he and Kate lived there for six magical months, a dream realized under the Italian sun. Muscardini Cellars has also taken to the water, sailing down the Seine and the Danube with wine club members and soon, the Douro in Portugal. These journeys are not just trips, their experiences that celebrate life, laughter, and the shared joy of a good bottle of wine such as Tesoro.
A Life Well Lived, A Wine Well Made
Today, Michael Muscardini is not just a winemaker. He is an alchemist of memory and meaning. He’s a man who pours his heritage, his artistry, and his heart into every vintage. Muscardini Cellars is more than a label—it is a love letter to family, to friendship, and to the magic that happens when you dare to follow your passion. Bottled with love for the joy of living–Salute!
More event details are coming soon! Tickets will become available in July.
