Jamey Whetstone moved out to Napa Valley from his home in South Carolina to manage Mustards Grill in 1996. Simply captivated by the community, lifestyle, and culture of wine country, he found himself quickly growing roots. By 1998, he had begun his winemaking education at Turley Wine Cellars where he would remain in his apprenticeship until 2005. During that time, he spent a summer sabbatical working for the Seysses family at Domaine Dujac in Morey-Saint-Denis and laid the groundwork for Whetstone Wine Cellars.
Since it’s founding in 2002, the vision for Whetstone Wine Cellars has remained the same: to use vineyard-based winemaking to showcase beautiful California fruit in limited-production, single-vineyard wine. In that time, Jamey has cultivated an elegant yet approachable style that marries his Southern roots and Napa Valley’s rich heritage.
Michelle Whetstone was born and raised in Napa Valley. After having spent several years running her own furniture stores and design business in Texas and California, she found herself drawn back to the beauty of food and wine culture that was home.
Three years after marrying Jamey, Michelle joined Whetstone Wine Cellars and brought her magic touch to the overall guest experience. Starting in 2011, she oversaw the acquisition, restoration, and grand opening of the historic chateau that became the Whetstone tasting salon in 2013.
Michelle truly enjoys getting back to the basics when it comes to hospitality: great music, fresh food, and stunning wine sprinkled with sincere conversation around a thoughtfully designed table. She somehow strikes that perfect balance between simplicity and luxury, grace and humor, community and intimacy.
This blend of rich heritage, Southern charm, and warm hospitality amidst wine country luxury can be found in all elements of the Whetstone experience. It transcends not only the Whetstone’s home and the chateau, but into the vineyards as well. Jamey’s approach to farming aims to strike that same balance between richness and simplicity. And this is an attribute to where Whetstone Wine Cellars is today.
Since it’s founding in 2002, the vision for Whetstone Wine Cellars has remained the same: to use vineyard-based winemaking to showcase beautiful California fruit in limited-production, single-vineyard wine. In that time, Jamey has cultivated an elegant yet approachable style that marries his Southern roots and Napa Valley’s rich heritage.
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