Michael Wolf

Vineyard Manager

From overseeing the replanting of the legendary To Kalon Vineyard in the 1990s to farming such iconic sites as the Scarecrow, Quixote, Meteor, Lindstrom, and Vine Hill Ranch, Vineyard Manager Michael Wolf is renowned for transforming great winegrowing sites into iconic, world-renowned vineyards. As Acumen’s vineyard manager, Michael applies a half-century of wisdom and experience to the goal of unlocking the full potential of our mountainous Edcora and Attelas estate vineyards high on the slopes of Napa Valley’s famed Atlas Peak.

Mike discovered his passion for viticulture when he joined Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1976, where he spent years working alongside Andy Beckstoffer, helping to manage more than 500 acres of elite Napa Valley vineyards. Since founding Michael Wolf Vineyard Services in 1997, Michael has earned acclaim for his thoughtful approach to viticulture and the meticulous farming practices he applies to elevate quality in the vineyards he works with. Guiding one of the most experienced teams in the wine industry, Michael is respected for his collaborative approach and his commitment to the human side of wine growing. “Great wine growing begins with respect for the land and for the people who farm it. Every person who touches a vine helps to shape the quality of the final wine.”

At Acumen, Michael works in concert with Winemaker Phillip Titus, who he has known for many decades, to fine-tune Acumen’s winegrowing practices, with the goal of crafting impeccably structured mountain wines that reflect the balanced, terroir-inspired style that has established Acumen as one of the rising stars in Napa Valley. “Edcora and Attelas are among the finest sites on Atlas Peak,” says Michael. “They have great soils, ideal exposures, and the right combination of weather and elevation to grow exceptional grapes that achieve beautiful ripeness at lower sugar levels.”

Outside of Acumen, Michael works actively to champion causes that support Napa Valley’s community of vineyard workers. He serves on the board of both the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, which supports farmworker education and professional development, and the Agriculture Health Benefits Alliance, which specializes in offering employer-sponsored benefit programs for agricultural employees.