A partnership between seasoned winemaker, Michael Martella, and financial professional/wine enthusiast, Mike Cheng, Chentella Wines driving mantra is “The Art and Style of Wine”.

Michael’s agricultural bonds are almost genetic, having grown up on a peach and sweet potato farm in central California and, after studying winemaking at California State University at Fresno, working in some of California’s largest wineries in the San Joaquin Valley. Those early experiences helped formulate his deep respect and appreciation for vineyard sites, soils and vines. In 1981, Michael landed at Thomas Fogarty Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and, for almost 3 decades, he has produced an array of handmade wines that have helped establish the lofty reputation of both the Santa Cruz AVA and the Fogarty winery, particularly for its world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Almost a decade ago, Michael launched his own label with the primary goal of making delicious wine that people like to drink. From his experience, that translates into very simple winemaking fundamentals: buy good grapes from good vineyards and from good people who enjoy and honor what they do for a living, and with whom he has mutual understanding, respect, and trust. The manifestation of that philosophy is to be found in the pure expression that is found in each bottle of Chentella wines.