Rising Star Winemaker Takes the Helm at Just-Opened New Winery and Caves
(Napa, Calif.)— June 26, 2024—Ray Signorello, Jr., proprietor of Signorello Estate, a benchmark Napa producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, today announced that he has named Michael Costley as Winemaker for the just-opened winery and caves. Costley assumed the position from Winemaker Priyanka French, who was responsible for overseeing the design and construction of the new winery and caves. In partnership with Ray Signorello, French, Consulting Winemaker Celia Welch and Viticulturist Steve Matthisson spearheaded a new viticultural and winemaking direction for Signorello following the 2017 wildfires which destroyed the original winery. Welch and Matthiasson will continue to work alongside Costley.
Michael’s previous winemaking experiences include Gandona Estate on Pritchard Hill, where he worked with Graeme McDonald, and Far Niente Family of Wineries, where he worked with Thomas River Brown. The early part of Costley’s career in Napa was as Viticulturist at Merryvale, where he farmed Bordeaux varietals at their hillside St. Helena estate. He has also worked two harvests in Australia and one in New Zealand. He holds a Certificate in Enology from California State University, Fresno, and a B.S. in Plant Science from the University of Missouri.
“Michael brings a deep understanding of both viticulture and winemaking to Signorello Estate, and I’m thrilled to have Michael as part of our team,” commented Ray Signorello, Jr.
“This is a terrific opportunity to work with this site and the amazing fruit from the estate. Priyanka helped build on the foundation that Ray created, and our team will work to improve even more each vintage. I couldn’t be more excited about the world-class facility that was just completed as a new home for Signorello,” added Costley.
ABOUT SIGNORELLO ESTATE
Signorello Estate is a leading Napa Valley producer of 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay devoted to the production of three estate wines: Hope’s Cuvée Chardonnay, Padrone Cabernet Sauvignon, and Signori Cabernet Sauvignon. Co-founded in 1977 by father and son Ray Sr. and Ray Jr. Signorello, the historic site is a true monopole, guided by the esteemed team of Winemaker Michael Costley, Consulting Director of Winemaking Celia Welch, and Viticulturalist Steve Matthiasson. A brand-new state-of-the-art winery and caves was completed June 2024 and is open to visitors by appointment. Signorello is located at 4500 Silverado Trail, between Napa and Yountville. For more information, please visit www.signorelloestate.com or phone 707.255.5990.
