Team

Chris was born into the wonderful world of wine. A true Napa Valley native, his family has been in the region since 1963. Chris developed a love for wine at a young age, and has been fortunate to learn all about winery operations from his amazing family, siblings, and parents. He has also had the incredible opportunity to study viticulture and oenology under some of the most renowned wine personalities in Napa Valley, one of which is the talented Rudy Zuidema, who currently serves as the Consultant Winemaker of Red Cap Vineyards.

A Bay Area native, Michael Nguyen joined Red Cap Vineyards in 2010 as the Director of Sales & Marketing. Despite limited knowledge of the wine business, his expertise in business and technology allowed him to help bring Red Cap Vineyards to the forefront. Guided by Tom, Michael learned the intricacies of the wine business while leveraging technology to drive growth. Over the years, he has consulted with numerous Napa Valley brands, helping them refine their go-to-market and marketing strategies. In 2024, Michael became a Partner, working alongside Chris to continue the legacy created by Tom and Desiree.

A Bay Area native, Mike Dunn’s connection to Howell Mountain began early. In 1978, his family moved to the mountain and settled into the historic stagecoach house that would become Dunn Vineyards. Growing up among the vines, Mike developed a deep respect for the land and the character of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon that defines the region.

After becoming fully involved with the family winery in the early 2000s, Mike continued the Dunn family’s legacy of producing powerful, age-worthy Howell Mountain wines. Today, he brings decades of experience and a lifelong connection to the mountain to his role as winemaker for Red Cap Vineyards.”

Tom’s journey into the world of wine started at IBM, where he enjoyed sampling wines during his business trips. His passion really blossomed when he became a chef in 1991, proudly graduating with honors from the California Culinary Academy. He had the wonderful opportunity to work in some of California’s finest restaurants alongside culinary legends like Michel Richard and Bradley Ogden. Eventually, he found his way to Brava Terrace Restaurant in St. Helena, where he cooked for Napa vintners and truly fell in love with California wine. They decided to buy 10+ acres on Howell Mountain in 1998. The Red Cap Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet is a delightful showcase of this exceptional fruit and land.