Mikael Wargin has been on the path to a career in winemaking since he was a kid. After spending his teenage years fermenting apple cider, he majored in biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz and, after graduating, decided to put his skills to use in the cellar rather than a laboratory or a Twinkie factory. Today, he and his wife Denise own their own boutique winery, represented by the Fairy Wine Mother, a carefree, middle-aged absinthe fairy that, in their own words, "was very happy to have a drink." The fairy's convivial attitude is reflected in all their wines, but most of all, in their signature Big & Beautiful wine, a montepulciano-based Italian blend.
And while they're most passionate about Italian varietals, these winemakers also craft petite sirah, late-harvest zinfandel, and chardonnay with the same care and precision.
