People

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Winemaker

Julien Fayard


With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. He believes in producing wines with an identity, exploiting what makes each one unique. Julien’s wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. He has a track record of building brands both in terms of quality and market presence.

Originally from France, Julien began his career as a winemaker producing quality rosé at his family’s winery in Provence. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, he was Philippe Melka’s director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own projects.

Julien earned his Master in Agri-Business from ESA France and his Master in Winemaking from Toulouse France. In 2011, he received his MBA from UC Davis.

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Director of Winemaking

Camille Gaio


Camille began her journey with Fayard Winemaking in 2011 as a harvest intern and has since risen to become the Director of Winemaking. In her role, she manages the day-to-day operations of the wineries and spearheads the research and development of innovative technologies in both winemaking and winery management.

Originally from the French Alps, Camille's background is rooted in classical culinary training, having studied in French and Swiss culinary school and worked in Michelin-starred establishments.

She later pursued winemaking at the University of Bordeaux, further enriching her expertise. Her early career includes harvest experiences across California, Australia, France, and New Zealand, culminating in the co-founding of Belharra Wines-a boutique label dedicated to high-end, cool-climate Syrah.

A mother of two young boys, Camille lives in the Bay Area, raising a bi-national family that blends French heritage with Californian life.

Camille combines technical precision with elegance and a progressive vision. She believes wines are a reflection of contemporary values and she has a profound respect for terroir, embodying the spirit of a new generation of winemakers.

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Proprietors

Al and Sonia Franklin


Al and Sonia blend passion and a deep appreciation for the art of winemaking. Their journey into viticulture was sparked by a shared love for wine and a desire to create something extraordinary together.

They are dedicated to producing premium, terroir-driven wines that capture the essence of their land and believe that the important story is the one that lives in the bottle.