Michele D’Aprix was an organic chemistry major pursuing a career in biochemistry when she started working part time in a local wine shop. She fell in love with wine, took a summer job working in a Sonoma wine cellar, and changed her life's trajectory. She obtained a degree in enology from UC Davis and landed in Bordeaux, where she became immersed in the region's winemaking traditions, techniques, and culture. Developing relationships with local growers enabled her to branch out on her own; she took the same approach when she expanded into the Rhône Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon.

Michele strives to make wines that are accessible, ready to drink in the short term, and approachable while honoring terroir and tradition. This is evident in her new endeavor, Maz Caz, which in French means "crazy in a good way."

The 2023 Maz Caz Rouge, an unoaked blend of 70 Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah, is fruit-forward and medium-bodied, vibrant, and juicy, with aromas and flavors of blackberries, raspberries, and cassis. The fruit characters on the palate are entwined with subtle notes of baking spices, woodsmoke, and black pepper. Well-structured yet velvety smooth, it has bright acidity that brings it to a fruit-driven finish.