With a passion for wine and a desire to produce small quantities of handcrafted wines from the most distinctive and promising vineyard in the Napa Valley, Julie and Justin formed Anthem Winery in 2009. They met in 1990 while they both were attending the University of California at Berkeley. When they first visited Napa Valley in 1996 before they were married, they quickly fell in love with the natural beauty of the land and vineyards, and all of the amazing experiences, food, wine the Valley has to offer.

After they were married in 1999, Julie and Justin honeymooned in Napa Valley, staying at the Silverado Resort and splurging on one night at Auberge du Soleil (the most they could afford at the time). By 2005, they were spending so much time in Napa that they decided to search for a home and vineyard there while expecting their first child. They soon zeroed in on Mt. Veeder given its ability to produce some of the best wines they had ever tasted. After finding their Mt. Veeder property at just 400 feet elevation (which fortunately came with a Merlot vineyard, an approved erosion control plan, and a winery use permit), they planted additional vineyard blocks and embarked on starting Anthem Winery. 

An attorney by background, Julie conducted a scorched-earth search for a winemaker, and wound up hiring the first one to respond – Jeff Ames – as he set the bar extremely high. Julie and Justin have grown Anthem Winery since its inaugural 2009 vintage, always increasing its sustainability along the way. For example, Anthem’s Estate Mt. Veeder Vineyards are now certified Napa Green. Justin and Julie hope to build a Napa Green winery and tasting room adjacent to their vineyards in the near future.

They produce Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

About the winemaker

 In picture Jeff Ames, Winemaker.

Jeff took an indirect path to become one of the best winemakers in Napa Valley. Born in Germany, but raised with a Southern upbringing in Alabama, Jeff attended the University of Alabama and received a degree in History. It wasn’t until he was working on his Masters in Education at the University of Memphis and working at a small wine shop to earn extra money, when he caught his first glimpse into the world of wine and was immediately captivated. After putting his degree on hold, he completed his first harvest with Penner-Ash in Oregon and moved to the Napa Valley shortly after. In 2001, he began working as Assistant Winemaker under Thomas Brown on projects including: Schrader, Mayback, Outpost, and TOR. In 2003, he took over as Head Winemaker for TOR, where he continues to make critically acclaimed wines from some of California’s most notable vineyards. In 2005, Jeff realized his dream and launched his own brand, Rudius Wines. Jeff started at Anthem Winery in 2009, and has been making ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc for Anthem ever since.

You can buy these wines directly from the winery and get it delivered.