On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, we interviewed Dante West and Tony Biagi of Amici Cellars. Dante is the winemaker and Tony is the director of winemaking and partner. We covered their 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, a 2023 Chardonnay, and a 2024 “Reserve”-level Pinot Noir. In the interview, we got to know Dante and Tony and learned a bit about their backgrounds. We wrapped up the August 19 tasting with five single-vineyard 2023-vintage Cabernet Sauvignon wines from some very-well-known and high-profile vineyards. You can read about Dante and Tony and Amici Cellars, as well as the summary of our reviews of all of these very impressive wines, in the blog post!
Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits that Dante and Tony shared in the interview.
Tell us a bit about Tony Biagi – Director of Winemaking & Partner
- Here is his winemaking history.
- 1992–1995 – Early training was at Dry Creek Vineyards and Hess Collection
- 1995–2001 – Duckhorn Vineyards
- Joined Duckhorn as an enologist in 1995, working under winemaker Tom Rinaldi.
- Progressed to assistant winemaker.
- In 1994, he was the founding winemaker and crafted the inaugural vintage at Paraduxx
- 2001–2002 – Neal Family Vineyards
- Became general manager and winemaker.
- 2003–2012 – PlumpJack Estate Winery
- Joined in March 2003 as winemaker.
- Became responsible for the group’s flagship Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon program.
- 2005–2012 – CADE Estate Winery
- Became the founding winemaker when CADE was established on Howell Mountain in 2005. Was involved with building the winery.
- Developed its Cabernet Sauvignon program.
- 2012–Present – Hourglass Winery
- Joined Hourglass in 2012 as winemaker, after Bob Foley.
- Took responsibility for wines from the Hourglass and Blueline Estate vineyards.
- 2013–Present – Patria Wines
- Founded his own wine label in spring 2013 with business partner Kimberly Jones.
- Became winemaker and partner.
- 2022–Present – To Kalon Vineyard Company
- – Began collaborating on the 2022 vintage with Andy Erickson.
- – Appointed winemaker in June 2023 and took the lead that vintage.
- A few of his other Consulting Projects over the years involved the following wineries.
- Clos du Val (For 3 years)
- Sinegal where he developed the estate’s wine program alongside Ryan Knoth.
- Lasseter Family Winery
- He started at Amici in 2015 as the winemaker for Amici and Olema.
- He mentored Jesse Fox and now Dante.
- His philosophy is great wines are made in the vineyard.
- He believes in small batch winemaking.
- Finally, Tony’s goal with making wine is to craft a wine that he and the winemaking team enjoy drinking and then he is confident others will enjoy it as well.
Dante West – Winemaker
- Went to UC Davis – Studied enology and viticulture.
- Discovered his love for wine after an introductory wine making course.
- He did a harvest at Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Margaret River, Australia.
- Worked at Flowers in 2016 and Mending Wall Wines from 2016 to 2018.
- He was a production assistant at Arista from 2018 to 2020.
- He joined Amici Cellars in 2020 as Assistant Winemaker.
- He initially worked alongside Tony Biagi and Jesse Fox, overseeing winery operations, and assisting with the production of Amici’s Napa and Sonoma wines.
- In 2022, after Jesse Fox left for Sequoia Grove, Dante was promoted to Associate Winemaker working alongside Tony Biagi. He participated in evaluating the vintage and overseeing production.
- Since 2024 Dante has carrier the title of Winemaker of Amici Cellars and Olema Wines.
- Went to UC Davis – Studied enology and viticulture.
- Matt Courtney – Consulting Winemaker
- He is the Winemaker and Owner of Ferren Wines since 2013.
- He has been the Winemaker at Arista Winery since 2013 and Volterre Wines since 2018.
- He joined Amici Cellars as a Consulting Winemaker in March of 2022.
- He is Tony’s best friend and serves as a sounding board for Tony and the team. Especially with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Amici Cellars History
- It was founded and started in a garage by two friends (John & Bob) in 1991-1992.
- In 2007 to 2008 they made plans to greatly to expand Amici in 2009
- So, after more than 15 years of producing wine as a passion project with relatively modest distribution, John Harris and Bob Shepard made a much larger commitment to developing Amici into a significant Napa Valley wine business.
- Joel Aiken who was the winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard for almost 27 years was the first winemaker at Amici from 2009 thru 2015.
- After Joel the winery transitioned to Tony in 2015.
- In 2012 -2013 the winery had started to secure some very good grape contracts which was pivotal in their growth.
- In 2016-2017 they added some single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay contracts that helped with their expansion. They also hired Jesse Fox from Ram’s Gate.
- Today they make 35 to 40 different wines.
- Two labels that feature Quality and Value are Olema and No Curfew.
- The Olema brand focus’ on wines made in France and Sonoma County.
- In France, they make a Crémant de Loire, a Cotes de Provence Rosé, and a Loire Sauvignon Blanc at custom crush partners in France.
- They visit 1 to 2 times per year to assist with the blending.
- In Sonoma County they make a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines are made at Clos du Val in their custom crush facility.
- Their No Curfew brand is their small production California tier under a screw cap and used as a by the glass pour option.
- 600 to 700 tons on average.
- They make a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Red Blend, and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
- At No Curfew, They only have one rule: Stay up for the good parts!
- Because Wine is Fun!
- A delicious bottle of wine shouldn’t break the bank.
- Live every day like Saturday!
- The Olema brand focus’ on wines made in France and Sonoma County.
- The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc
- Comes from the Melrose Vineyard
- Planted by Duckhorn 33 years ago.
- Introduced to Tony by Tom Rinaldi.
- Now owned by Beckstoffer.
- They use French oak barrels.
- Comes from the Melrose Vineyard
- The 2023 “Windsor Ridge” Chardonnay
- Not a single vineyard site. Instead sourced from the El Dorado and Flora Marie Vineyards.
- Both vineyards are on the same ridgeline overlooking Windsor.
- They use heavier toasting and new oak barrels.
- The 2024 “Reserve” Pinot Noir
- Comes from three different vineyards.
- Manzana Vineyard (Dutton Ranch), Zio Tony Vineyard (Martinelli), and DZ Vineyard (Flowers Winery)
- They prefer heritage clones. (Calera, Swan, 943, and 777)
- Comes from three different vineyards.
Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- John Harris (CEO) got them in.
- They took Treasury’s vines when they gave them up.
- Their grapes come from the Plinio Mario (PM) Block which is very close to the JJ Cohn Vineyard used by Scarecrow.
- Missouri Hopper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Touches Vine Hill Ranch and Harlan.
- To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Schrader gave up their grapes in the C1 Block. Dante grabbed it!
- Hirondelle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Located in the Stags Leap District.
- It is a little warmer than Coombsville.
- Owned and farmed by Clos du Val.
- Located in the Stags Leap District.
- Cimarossa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Mia Klein makes wine for the owners.
- They only sell to Amici. First vintage was 2019.
- Fun fact: A stare contest uninterrupted for 5 minutes led them to selling grapes to Amici.
- They share 2 blocks with Mia.
- The growing season here is short. It is the last vineyard to go thru veraison.
- That said, the ripening happens quickly!
- It is a terraced vineyard with lots of soil types.
- Their Napa Cabernet Sauvignon will increase in quality in vintages 2024, 2025, and 2026.
- They found and acquired better grapes for it.
- Look for it as it will over-deliver!
- Vintages – looking head!
- 2024 – A classic vintage, but with a smaller crop.
- 2025 – Cooler vintage.
- Here is his winemaking history.
Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Amici that we covered with Dante and Tony. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also find a few online. For example, you can purchase most of these wines on the Amici website. A few wines are available to club members only. All the details can be found on their online store page.
1) Amici 2025 Sauvignon Blanc “Rutherford” $45 (KWGTP 94)
2) Amici 2023 Chardonnay “Windsor Ridge” (Sonoma Coast) – $75 (KWGTP 93.5)
3) Amici 2024 Pinot Noir “Reserve” (Russian River Valley) $75 (KWGTP 95)
4) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Morisoli Vineyard” (Rutherford) $195 (KWGTP 96.5)
5) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Missouri Hopper” (Napa Valley) $250 (KWGTP 96.5)
6) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “To Kalon Vineyard” (Oakville) $250 (KWGTP 97)
7) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Hirondelle Vineyard” (Stags Leap District) $195 (KWGTP 96)
8) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Cimarossa Vineyard” (Howell Mtn) $195 (KWGTP 97)
Additional Chappellet Wine Covered In A Subsequent Tasting:
9) Amici 2024 Sauvignon Blanc “Sonoma County” $25 (KWGTP 92.5)
10) Amici 2024 Chardonnay “Sonoma Coast” $30 (KWGTP 93)
11) Amici 2024 Pinot Noir “Russian River” $40 (KWGTP 93.5)
12) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Napa County” $50 (KWGTP 91.5)
13) Amici 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve” $99 (KWGTP 96)
You can find reviews of past and future Amici wines that we cover on the Amici KWG winery page on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! – Ken