The story behind the grapes.

From NoDak to Napa.

Our story begins far from Napa—in North Dakota, where two wine lovers, Joel Gilbertson and Gene Griffin shared a simple belief: that extraordinary wine begins with extraordinary grapes. That belief brought them west, to the heart of California wine country where we started with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. From the beginning, we cared deeply about the grapes and the craft, knowing that the right blend could create something truly memorable.

Over time, our portfolio grew to include a Russian River Valley Chardonnay, each wine reflecting our belief that the best bottles carry both depth and character. Jeremiah is more than a label—it’s the story of passion turned into a glass to be shared.

Behind every bottle of Jeremiah is a team of people who share a love of wine and a commitment to crafting something truly special. Each of us brings a different perspective—whether from decades spent in Napa and Sonoma, careers in consulting and technology, or a lifetime of tasting, learning, and exploring.

Together, we balance tradition with innovation, expertise with curiosity, and above all, a belief that wine is meant to be shared.

  • Kian Tavakoli

    WINEMAKER

    With more than 30 years of winemaking and viticultural experience, Kian brings both technical mastery and sensory artistry to Jeremiah. A UC Davis graduate in genetics and enology, he refined his craft at Napa icons Opus One and Clos du Val before moving into consulting. Since 2012, through his private practice, he has guided wineries across California, always with the goal of bringing out the full expression of each vineyard and each vintage.

  • Gene Griffin

    FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

    Gene’s love of wine was shaped by years spent exploring Napa and Sonoma—tasting, listening, and learning from the people behind the vines. Along the way, he developed a keen eye for vineyard sites and an instinct for the blends that make a wine truly stand out. His curiosity and dedication laid the foundation for Jeremiah, built on a belief that the best wines begin with great grapes and end with the joy of sharing them.

  • Joel Gilbertson

    FOUNDER & CONSULTANT

    For more than 40 years, Napa and Sonoma have been like a second home to Joel. He founded one of the first wine distributorships to bring Napa and Sonoma wines to North Dakota, building strong relationships with top producers like Duckhorn, Silver Oak, Rombauer, and Far Niente. Over time, his passion led him from distributing great wines to making them, while also sharing his expertise as a consultant, columnist, and critic.

  • Mike Navarro & Lisa Gilbertson Navarro

    OWNERS & MANAGING PARTNERS

    Mike’s passion for wine runs deep, especially when it comes to the vineyards of Washington and Oregon. After more than 20 years as an engineer at Microsoft, he’s turning that passion into a second career—this time in the cellar. Now pursuing a degree in wine production and diving into the world of California wines, he just might be the reason Pinot finds its way into the Jeremiah lineup.

    Lisa was born into a family of wine lovers, but her own path began in management consulting, where she spent over 20 years advising some of the world’s leading technology brands. Now, she’s excited to bring that expertise into the wine world, taking the helm and carrying forward the legacy her father began.