John Donaghue was working as a skyscraper building engineer in San Francisco when he found his way into wine. Like several other winemakers we work with, his winemaking career began after crossing paths with Gideon Beinstock of Clos Saron. He stayed on at Clos Saron for several years, working closely with Gideon and learning every aspect of winemaking—from vineyard to bottle.

In 2011, John produced his first cuvée: a dense, structured blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from North Yuba County. From these early releases, John’s wines quickly began to evolve, reflecting his own distinct style and expression. Using similarly low-intervention methods—neutral oak, native fermentations, and minimal manipulation—his wines under the Thee & Thou label are fresh, balanced, and lively, with the structure and acidity to age without compromising immediate enjoyment.

Since those early days in Yuba, John has expanded into other regions such as Lodi, seeking out old vines and exceptional fruit from a range of terroirs. While the individual expressions are unique and ever changing, John’s careful work remains the same.