JOEL AIKEN is an internationally respected winemaker who is celebrated for producing award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Before becoming Winemaker and Partner at Amici Cellars, Aiken was Vice President of Winemaking for world-renowned Beaulieu Vineyard (BV), where for 25 years he made the highly praised BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon label. He worked closely with André Tchelistcheff and Michel Rolland during his career at BV, and has brought that unparalleled experience to Amici.

A California native, Joel began his career in the Napa Valley at Beaulieu Vineyard after receiving his master's degree in Enology from the University of California at Davis, ultimately becoming Vice President of Winemaking at Beaulieu Vineyard in 1999. During his tenure at BV, Joel oversaw winemaking not just for BV, but for many of the wineries of BV's parent company, Diageo, throughout California. Joel's move to Amici has allowed him to get back into the vineyards and barrel rooms in a hands-on manner, doing what he knows and loves the most: overseeing every aspect of crafting premier Napa Valley wines, from harvest through bottling.

Joel's intimate knowledge of Napa Valley vineyards, his experience in both traditional and cutting-edge winemaking techniques, as well as his deep knowledge in the field of barrel aging, all allow him to make world-class wines under the Amici label. Joel's unmatched knowledge of vineyard sites throughout the Napa Valley—and the style and character of the wines produced from the grapes grown on these sites—allows him to sculpt Amici's wines in our desired style, displaying complexity, power and elegance. With his depth of expertise in both traditional and cutting edge winemaking techniques, Joel can extract the most flavor and body from these grapes while maintaining balance.  Finally, Joel has a great knowledge of barrels and barrel aging, having done research on barrel aging of Cabernet Sauvignon at UC Davis and having studied barrel production throughout his entire career.  Using this background, Joel is able to age each wine with barrels that complement the fruit, add complexity, and produce a beautifully balanced wine.

Joel served on the board of the Napa Valley Vintners from 2000 - 2005 holding all officer positions including president. He is a board member and past president of the Rutherford Dust Society, serving on the board since its formation in 1994. He also served on the board of the Carneros Wine Alliance throughout the 1990's.