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MICHAEL MARTELLA
Longtime winemaker for Thomas Fogarty Winery and proprietor of Martella Wines.
- Late 1970s: Began working at Thomas Fogarty vineyards before the winery officially opened
- 1981: Hired when Thomas Fogarty Winery opened, beginning partnership with Dr. Thomas Fogarty
- 1981-2013: Served as head winemaker
- 2013: Stepped down from head winemaker role to become winemaker emeritus and focus on his namesake wine label
- 2019: Fully retired from Thomas Fogarty Winery
Under Martella's tenure at Thomas Fogarty, pioneered trellising systems in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the mid-1980s. When first planted, vineyards in the region were "California sprawl" with no trellising, yielding only 1 ton per acre. Introduction of proper trellising raised yields to 3-4 tons per acre while improving fruit quality, particularly for Chardonnay.
Started his personal label Martella Wines in 1998 while still working at Thomas Fogarty. Produces wines from various appellations including Mendocino, Fiddletown, and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Operated the M4 Wine Tasting Room in Saratoga with fellow winemaker Michael Michaud. Closed in 2017.
Regarding Dr. Fogarty, Martella reflected:
"Tom was my employer for almost 40 years, but he was also my friend, big brother and at times a father. He saw something in me that was hidden. Of course, he had invested, by hiring me, he wanted me to succeed, but it was far more than that, he wanted to see me grow as a person. He was very nurturing. I'm so very lucky we connected. I feel total gratitude for the relationship."
On Dr. Fogarty's approach: "Tom loved to create. Was never afraid to try new things. He did not linger in having to make a decision. He would say to me, 'It was better to make a wrong decision and then have to correct it, if needed, than not to make a decision at all.'"
Martella noted that Dr. Fogarty had "special respect for those who worked hard with their hands and had an affinity with those who worked with farming."
On the passing of Ken Burnap, Bob Mullen, and others in 2025: "Weird, how time passes. David (Bruce), Ken (Burnap) and Bob (Mullen), were all super supportive, good friends, shared their knowledge freely and they were a lot of fun to be around. They are so important to the SCM community."