Sally Johnson

Johnson Blum was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, into a family with scientific backgrounds. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and French literature from the University of Michigan in 1996. She became interested in winemaking while studying in France. Later, shecompleted a master’s degree in enology at the University of California, Davis in 1999.^[5]

Johnson Blum began her professional winemaking career in 1999 at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma County, California, advancing from enologist to winemaker over approximately eight years. In 2002, she completed a harvest internship at St. Hallett Winery in Australia’s Barossa Valley and produced small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah under her own early personal label for three vintages.^[6]

In 2007, Johnson Blum joined Pride Mountain Vineyards as winemaker, serving for 15 years. During her tenure she also produced wines for custom clients. Her wines earned consistent high critical praise, including two Robert Parker 100-point scores (2012 and 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon) and multiple placements in Wine Spectator’s Top 100.^[7]

In 2022, Johnson Blum was appointed Director of Winemaking at the historic Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville. She held the role briefly before departing in early 2023 to pursue independent work.^[8]

In 2023, Johnson Blum founded SJB Winemaking, a consulting firm through which she works with boutique and premium wine brands. She serves as resident winemaker for Tamber Bey Vineyards in Calistoga and CourAvant wineries in Napa Valley, and consults for producers in Napa, Sonoma, the California Central Coast, and Washington State’s Walla Walla Valley (including The Walls, Pášxa, and Mullan Road Cellars)^[9][10]

In 2023, Johnson Blum co-founded STEREOGRAPH Wines, a small-production winemaker, with her husband. Johnson Blum handles vineyard sourcing and production; the wines showcase Napa’s diversity through specific sites (e.g., 77–80-year-old Chenin Blanc vines at Henry Ranch in Pope Valley, Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot-Cabernet blends from Chiles Valley and Oak Knoll, Carneros Semillon, and others). Releases began in 2025.^[11]

Johnson Blum is recognized for her work with Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties, particularly from mountain and diverse Napa sites. She advocates for organic, regenerative, and biodynamic practices and aims to highlight Napa Valley’s terroir diversity while keeping wines approachable.^[12]

Johnson Blum’s wines have earned widespread acclaim, including:

• Two 100-point scores from Robert Parker (Pride Mountain 2012 and 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon).^[13]
• Three wines on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the World list.^[14]
• Over 30 wines served at White House state dinners.^[15]
• Named one of Glamour magazine’s “Top 10 Most Badass Women Winemakers” (#3).^[16]

She serves on the Napa Valley Vintners Leadership Development Program.^[17]