About Kazumi Wines

Michelle Kazumi Sakazaki is Japanese American, born in California and raised in Tokyo. For the past 14 years, she has worked in Napa Valley as the General Manager of 90 Plus Wine Club. Her love for wine began during her six years in Italy working in fashion. Michelle’s love for wine and work at 90 Plus Wine Club lead her to dream of starting her own wine label.

In 2015, her good friends, the Perrets, offered her some Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown at their Rutherford vineyard. Michelle could not pass up the fantastic opportunity to design and create Kazumi Wines. In 2016, Michelle decided to try her hand in making a red wine and started producing a single vineyard, Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. To help her achieve her vision, Michelle brought on renowned winemaker Kale Anderson. Kale has worked for top properties in California including Colgin Cellars, Terra Valentine Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, and Pahlmeyer. In 2022, Kazumi Wines debuted a Napa Valley Koshu, a Japanese variety, which is the first of its kind to be made in the United States.

Not only are Michelle and Kale making wines that are distinctive and belong on the table with food, but they are also carrying on the tradition of innovation in California. They are not trying to make wine that is outside of the box, like so many other great producers in Napa, they are exploring the edge of the box and helping to find what is possible in California.