Wine! Oh, that brings in many memories, doesn’t it!? A glass of wine at weddings, birthdays, meet-ups, anniversaries, or even a relaxing glass at the end of a long day. 

Regardless, it does taste good, now that’s for sure!

The cultivation of vineyards and wineries for the consumption of wine has become a part of people’s culture, meals, and symbols. The moderate consumption of wine can be quite beneficial health-wise as it is high in antioxidants and is an anti-inflammatory. 

But if wine is consumed in amounts that are anywhere above moderate levels, and the consumption of it is regularly in an unhealthy way, well, we know first-hand or would’ve witnessed its after-effects and consequences of its effect on people. 

Be it severe intoxication and physical harm to one’s health and lifestyle, addictions to unhealthy consumption of wine can lead to alcoholism and the destruction of families and friends who are present around the addicted person. As anything in excess is always bad, practicing moderate, responsible, and mindful consumption of wine is better. 

Winemaking has an advantage on the economy of a place, In the conservation of the land, creating and providing job opportunities for people to work in the vineyards and learn the art of winemaking, it can be a tourist attraction area which would increase revenue and profits, it reduces the carbon footprint if wine is made locally, and it respects and celebrates culture and the quality of life. 

The process of winemaking consists of many steps that are carefully and meticulously followed. Experts, professionals, and people dedicated to learning the art of winemaking need to know the entire book before even implementing any business in wineries. 

Wine is the final by-product that can wake the taste buds immediately from planting to growing grapes, from harvesting to crushing, from juicing to fermenting, and lastly from post-fermenting to aging the celestial liquid. 

This liquid can be stored in drums and bottles, the longer they are stored – the sweeter they taste. Hence this is why special wines that are brought out for serving in hotels and restaurants or as a wine collector, wines that have been stored from many years ago always taste sweeter and are more precious. 

Therefore in this article, we shall be exploring the story behind a determined woman entrepreneur – Laura Swanton who started her journey in winemaking and who was soon supported by her husband – Michael Swanton, in their ‘wine-full’ journey together in establishing a successful vineyard estate business – Laura Michael Wines, in the Napa Valley region of North California, The United States of America. 

Laura Zahtila Swanton – Founder and Proprietor:

The founder, owner, and proprietor of Laura Michael Wines is Laura Zahtila Swanton. 

The story of Laura Zahtila Swanton starts with her working at Cisco Systems as a Sales Specialist. While still working at the company, Laura purchased a winery estate in the year 1999 from a family, in Calistoga, Napa Valley Region of North California, USA. 

The vineyard of the boutique winery was already functional and operating since the year 1980. To fully commit herself to the winery, Laura Zahtila Swanton was determined to learn and educate herself on the hows, whys, knows, and everything else there is that revolve around planting, growing, harvesting, winemaking, processing, and marketing. 

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The founder showed her full passion and interest in the Calistoga Winery by executing certain renovations to improve the winery’s crush pads for increased functionality, and its fermentation tanks to have insulations, incorporating LED lighting, and thereby invested her time, money, and effort in several other required and needful types and pieces of equipment that would launch her winemaking business right away. 

Laura Zahtila Swanton married now Vice President and Vineyard Manager – Michael Swanton, and the two wine pioneers continued their journey to success together.

Laura Michael Wines:

The Calistoga winery in the Napa Valley region is famous for its wineries and vineyards that are present in the city. Purchased by Laura Zahtila Swanton in 1999 from a family who had previously owned the winery estate, the founder soon started her business after a few years of studying and renovating certain areas and pieces of equipment in the winery. 

The business produces and markets small batches of wine, and they are known for their famous Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel variations among many others. Laura Michael Wines produces 3 categories of their wines, namely – White Wines, Red Wines, and Dessert Wines. 

In the White Wines category, the winery produces – Napa Valley Chardonnay and Michael’s Muse Dry Rosè of Zinfandel. 

In the Red Wines category, the winery produces – Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Russian River Pinot Noir, Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon “Barlow Vineyards”, and Bentley Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford. In the Dessert Wines category, the winery produces – Laura’s Theme Dessert Wine (Non-Vintage). 

Having had good experience and knowledge with technology and its product applications from working at Cisco Systems before her winemaking venture, Laura Zahtila Swanton had the necessary information and know-how in the marketing area of the winery. 

The winegrowing philosophy of Laura Michael Wines – “To emphasize whatever the grapes give us – consistency is key….”

In the year 2006, Michael Swanton joined Laura Zahtila Swanton at Laura Michael Wines as a business partner for his valuable knowledge and expertise in Engineering and Power Generation. After a few years, the duo got married and the boutique winery business was named – Laura Michael Wines after the wine-making couple.

At Laura Michael Wines, the couple-duo has taken to marketing small-batch wines and has since successfully managed to handle the consequences of the crashing market during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

“Our goal is a wine that will age, but with balance.” – Laura Zahtila Swanton.

With the growing concerns about the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystem, the couple – Laura Zahtila Swanton and Michael Swanton at Laura Michael Wines have adopted and implemented strategies in their walk toward a sustainable future. For its efforts and go-green initiatives since 2015, Napa Valley has certified Laura Michael Wines as a “Napa Green Winery”. Be it saving on water consumption, reducing waste production by composting and recycling the waste produced, saving energy by LED lighting, and decreasing carbon footprint by insulating their winery’s fermentation tanks.