Trujillo Wines
About Trujillo Wines
Michael Trujillo grew up on a farm in Colorado with agriculture and animals. He attended college in Colorado studying architectural engineering. In the early 80’s came out to California during spring break where he fell in love with the “Napa Lifestyle. He was introduced to viticulture and winemaking, while being mentored by Andre Tchelistcheff.Later, he UC Davis to study enology and viticulture.
Following school, began working at Sequoia Grove in the late 80’s as assistant winemaker then moving up to winemaker and ultimately retiring in 2018 as President and Wine Director. While at Sequoia Grove, he and a friend had a very well received brand called Karl Lawrence.Stepped away from Karl Lawrence in 2011 to focus on his sole own brand Trujillo Wines established in 2011.
Michael purchases fruit from very famous, high-quality Napa growers including Morisoli (Rutherford), Healey (St Helena), Henry Brothers (Howell Mtn). This fruit sourced from very different terroirs provide different attributes and together they are perfectly balanced.
When you learn about his label design and the crest, comprised of now and then icons, a tribute to his late wife, all of it exemplifies this very thoughtful, respected winemaker’s true labor of love.
Trujillo Wine’s tasting room is in St Helena, and we are happy to arrange your tasting. Bring your dog along to their tasting room! The staff is helpful, and a pleasure.
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Interview with Mike Trujillo:
Did you have a formal education or learn the ropes? Mentors?
40 years - Yes, formal wine education + amazing Mentors from around the world
What is your average yearly case/bottle production?
Make around 2,500 cases annually. Kown for Napa Valley Cabernet but make singular Bordeaux varitails such as Cab Franc, Malbec, Petit verdot and Merlot. recently introduced a Napa Valley Chardonnay to my list of wines.
Do you have any winery affiliations/brands/partnerships? Inspiration of the name/label design? 2nd/additonal label(s)?
Have a companion label named after my Daughter called MADELYN. Make a unique white blend, Rose and red blend under Madelyn label All grape for Trujillo wines are of Napa Valley. the majority og grapes that make the MAdelyn wines are from Mendocino AVA.
What should we know about your about your viticultural or winemaking practices?
All 100% substainable
What is your tasting fee, and can it be applied to wine purchases?
Have a tasting room in St. Helena CA located at 661 Main Street. Tasting fee is $35 and do apply that to purchases
What are average retail prices of your wines?
Trujillo Cabs range $68 -$175. Madelyn wines range $24 - $65
Is there anything else you want a potential customer to know about you, the wines or scheduling a tasting appointment with you?
40 years of winemaking experiance. Have made wines for dozens of high profile brnads. Now just concetrating on my sole owned brand. Don't get caught up in price hipe so my wines are fair priced.
What's cooking in your kitchen? Sweet, sour, bitter, salty or savory?
Cook and experiment cooking across the board. Enjoy all cuisines. Farm/garden-to-table is always top choice
What are you watching now? (Movie, documentary, birds, series, brix)?
Not a big TV guy. I get outdoors and into my woodshop for zen
Share your favorite hobbies & passions (outside of wine!)
Woodworking, gardening, fishing, travel
What's your philosophy or secret sauce to winemaking and/or life?
Make wine I enjoy vs. chasing scores. My wines are varietal expressive with emphasis on AVA/terrior and blanace. I say my wines are "Old world style with California sunshine"
Are you a dog or cat or...another animal person?
Dog! I definitely have to have a winery/vineyard dog.
Describe yourself in a #hashtag
#proudofmywines
Is there anything else you want to share about your winery/winemaking?
Concentrate on putting the BLING into the bottle.
