Premiere Napa Valley Live Auction

John Skupny

Winemaker, Lang & Reed Napa Valley

I learned the craft of winemaking and the art of wine sales from working for over a dozen wineries over the past 40 years. Having arrived in California in 1980 with over a half of a decade of restaurant wine experience, as a buyer and wine steward [sommelier], I was prepared to absorb and apply lessons learned from many of the producers and winemakers who played such an impact on the advent of fine wine emanating from the Napa Valley. I have always felt that I have one foot in the historical past and one step forward into a great future that lies ahead in our Valley. In 1993, together with my wife, Tracey, we made our first Cabernet Franc, under the Lang & Reed label which gave us the inspiration to get our bonded winery operating in 1996. We feel, after more than 25 years of producing Lang & Reed wines, a humble part of the fabric of this great wine region.

Country born: United States

Education: Mentors that I have either worked for or with, Charlie & Chuck Wagner, Laurie Wood, Bernard Portet, Dan Duckhorn, Tony Soter, Scott McLeod, Jon Kongsgaard, Kent Rassmusen, Kristin Belair, Bernard & Matthieu Baudry, Dick Ward, David Graves and Ted Hall.

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years

Honors / Awards:
Past Chairman - Napa Valley Vintners & Auction Napa Valley, Past Co-Chair Premiere Napa Valley Barrel Auction, Past President - Stags Leap District Winegrowers, Founding Vice-President - Rutherford Dust Society, Past President, Napa Valley Wine Library Association.

Winemaking Philosophy:
To craft wines that are expressive of the grape and ground from which they come - respecting that something subtle and delicate can provide superb pleasure - to make wines that are enjoyable to drink and to share with others.

Reed Skupny

Winemaker, Lang & Reed Napa Valley

As a native of Napa Valley, Reed Skupny has always felt the pull of the vineyards. Growing up in St. Helena, he used to roam the vineyards of the valley, imagining what role they would someday play in his life. In 2005, he signed on with Pahlmeyer for his first harvest. New Zealand was next when he took off to work at Mudhouse, in Marlborough, during the 2006 harvest. After finishing at Humboldt State, he and his wife, Megan, took off to Chinon, France to learn the ways of Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc at Domaine Bernard Baudry for the 2008 harvest. Napa was his final stop, where he has honed his winemaking skills for over a decade with some of the most dynamic wineries and winemakers, including Brand Napa Valley, Antica, the Antinori family’s property on Atlas Peak, and as Cellar Master at Venge Vineyards. In 2019 Reed became the Associate Winemaker at Bevan Winemaking Services, under the tutelage of Russell Bevan, and worked with numerous prominent wineries around Northern California. Commencing in 2023 Reed has taken over as Head Winemaker at Elyse Winery,

Country born: United States

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years