Premiere Napa Valley Live Auction

Bastien Lucas

Winemaker, Marciano Estate

Born and raised in France, Bastien’s passion for wine started at the young age of 14 during a summer job at Château Lynch-Bages, helping the winery prepare for harvest.

He returned to Lynch-Bages in 2008 to spend an entire harvest. This is where Bastien was first acquainted with the in-depth and meticulous complexity of luxury winemaking and where he developed his passion.

Upon earning a Master of Science in Enology from the University of Bordeaux’s Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV) in France, he was fortunate enough to secure internships and work harvests at both Monteverro in Tuscany and Alpha Omega in Napa under Jean Hoefliger’s tutelage. Returning to Alpha Omega in 2015, Bastien became Assistant Winemaker in 2017, where he grew and honed his winemaking skills. In 2020, Bastien joined Maxville Winery as a Winemaker.

During his career, Bastien had the great fortune to manage the winemaking of several iconic brands in Napa and Sonoma Valley, such as The Debate, AXR, V. Vineyards, Clark-Claudon, Denali Estate, Harbison Estate Wines, Michel Rolland Napa Valley, SVV, Narsai David Estates and more. With his versatile background, extensive knowledge, and passion, Bastien is uniquely positioned to drive Marciano Estate to achieve the finest quality wine possible.

Country born: France

Education: Master in Enology, University of Bordeaux France
Internships in Pauillac, Napa Valley & Tuscany

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
I believe that the winemaker's role is to humbly translate the potential and uniqueness of the fruit and their terroirs, by creating expressive, elegant and balanced wines. This comes through a process of understanding each vineyards, blocks, and custom-tailoring winemaking practices to each of them whilst considering the singularity of the vintage.

Michel Rolland

Winemaker, Marciano Estate

Michel began his work as an oenologist in 1973, a time when modern wine was in its infancy. In 1985 he was offered the opportunity to study the ways to maximize the potential of California's wines, and his life as a global winemaking consultant began. He has since worked on four continents, more than a dozen countries, and over 150 different proprieties. Michel continues to advise clients around the world, in addition to serving as the winemaker for properties in Argentina and Bordeaux.

Country born: France

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years

Benoit Touquette

Winemaker, Marciano Estate

Benoit's journey on the leading edge of fine winemaking spans continents. From Bordeaux to Napa, he has pursued a balance of elegance and power in his craft, achieving twenty-eight 100-point ratings along the way. Unquestionably a rising superstar in California, Frenchman Benoit Touquette makes a bevy of wines from throughout Napa Valley, all of which show impeccable winemaking and balanced, layered profiles.

Born in Lyon France and gaining his education from the University of Bordeaux, Benoit worked at numerous French wineries before getting a job (with the help of his friend and mentor Michel Rolland) in Napa Valley with Andy Erickson. He consulted for the likes of Screaming Eagle, Ovid and Arietta. Today, Benoit is the winemaker for numerous labels, including his own project Fait-Main (which translates to “hand-made”).

Country born: France

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years