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Chariot Wines founder Jim Neal developed a passion for wine long before working as a chef at such revered restaurants as Spago in Hollywood and Terra in Napa Valley. His winemaking mentors include Mike Chelini of Stony Hill Vineyards, Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, David Abreu, Abreu Vineyards, and Ric Forman, Forman Vineyard, all of whom Jim was fortunate to work with in developing a winemaking style.
Also the creator of Fusion Napa Valley Verjus, Neal has been closely associated with the food and wine industries throughout his career, and understands the importance of their compatibilities.
Jeff Hunsaker joined Jim Neal Wines and took the reins as winemaker in 2008. With over ten years experience at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in St. Helena, and many years of experience in the food service industry, Jeff’s winemaking technique and palate have been developed in the wine trade and by market-driven experience.
The two met while working together at Vincent’s on Camelback, a restaurant in Phoenix, AZ in 1986. Neal and Hunsaker discovered a love for wines and food, and with some hard work and a lot of fun, transformed a friendship into a successful partnership making and marketing wines in the Napa Valley.
It has become our mission to “produce refreshing, high-quality food-friendly wines at palatable prices”.
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