John Donaghue was working as a skyscraper building engineer in San Francisco when he found his way into wine. Like several other of our wineries, he got his start when he got mixed up with Gideon Beinstock of Clos Saron. He remained working at Clos Saron for several years, working closely with Gideon and learning every aspect of winemaking , from the vineyard to the bottle.

In 2011 he produced his first cuvée, a dense, structured blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from North Yuba County. Gideon’s influence was evident in this and subsequent releases, however John’s wines reflect a different style and expression. Using similar low-intervention techniques, neutral oak, and native fermentations, the wines of Thee & Thou are complex, balanced, and lively, with the structure and acid to age for years to come.

Since his beginnings in Yuba John has gone on to explore other regions, seeking out old vines and incredible fruit from a variety of terroirs. While the individual expressions are unique and ever changing, John’s careful work remains the same. Each wine is a distinctive expression of a certain time and place, and with just a few vintages under his belt, he’s provided us with a very exciting promise of things to come.