Cakebread Cellars names David Amadia as new CEO

Longstanding industry figure David Amadia will take the helm at Cakebread Cellars this September, succeeding Mike Jaeger, who is retiring after seven years in the role. 

Leadership transition in Napa

Cakebread Cellars has appointed David Amadia as its next chief executive officer, effective September 2025.

Amadia will oversee the strategic direction of the Cakebread portfolio, which includes the flagship Napa Valley winery, Bezel from California’s Central Coast, and Mullan Road Cellars in Washington’s Royal Slope AVA.

He replaces Mike Jaeger, who earlier this year announced his decision to retire. Jaeger has served as president and CEO since 2018, when he became the first non-family leader in the winery’s history. He will remain in an advisory role until the end of 2025 to support the transition.

“David’s deep industry experience and strong alignment with our values make him well-positioned to lead Cakebread Cellars into its next chapter,” said Dennis Cakebread, chairman and second-generation co-owner. “Mike’s strategic guidance and organisational contributions have positioned us for what comes next, and we look forward to working alongside David as we continue to build on our over 50 years of history.”

Amadia’s background

Amadia brings long experience in the fine wine sector, having worked with leading figures including Peter Gago at Penfolds, Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon, and Paul Draper at Ridge Vineyards. He spent 17 years at Ridge, where he served as president.

“Cakebread Cellars has a strong tradition of quality, stewardship and consistency across multiple AVAs,” said Amadia.

“It’s an honour to join a winery with such a strong foundation, and I look forward to working with the team to help shape the next phase of its story.”

db exclusive: Q&A with Mike Jaeger

Looking back on your seven years as president and CEO, what do you consider the most defining moments of your tenure at Cakebread Cellars?

Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding Cakebread Cellars through meaningful periods of change and growth. A key milestone was our deeper commitment to sustainability, including joining the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) in 2021. That step formalized a long-standing ethos of stewardship and helped ensure our vineyards will thrive for generations to come. Another major highlight was the creation and national launch of Bezel, a project that extended our winemaking craftsmanship to a new region of California, the Central Coast. And at the same time, grounding Cakebread’s legacy in the valley further when we expanded our estate by acquiring Ahmann Ranch in Los Carneros.

You were the first non-family leader in the winery’s history. How did you navigate balancing the legacy of a family-owned estate with the need for innovation and growth?

It was a privilege to become the first non-family president and CEO of Cakebread. From the beginning, my approach was rooted in deep respect for the family’s values of quality, hospitality and sustainability, while recognizing that part of my role was to help guide the winery forward and build upon that legacy. That meant listening first and making sure every step we took felt true to Cakebread’s spirit and ensuring that Cakebread’s standard of quality was consistent throughout. We also strengthened our sustainability initiatives, introducing new methods that not only advanced our own practices but also raised the bar across Napa. By setting high standards, Cakebread has become a pioneer in the region, inspiring grower partners to elevate their own practices. This continues the vision Jack and Dolores, and their sons, Bruce and Dennis, established from the beginning, a commitment to quality, stewardship and responsibility to the land. In many ways, it wasn’t about balancing tradition and change as much as making sure innovation was always an extension of the brand’s DNA. That’s how Cakebread has thrived for more than 50 years, and it’s how we set the stage for continued success.

Bezel and Mullan Road Cellars both marked new directions for Cakebread. What lessons did you learn from launching and building these brands?

These projects reinforced the importance of authentic innovation. With Bezel, we connected with a new audience, consumers looking for fresh, fruit-forward wines that are high in quality yet approachable in style and price. The response to its national launch showed us that the Cakebread ethos resonates beyond Napa. Mullan Road Cellars, had already been established prior to my joining, but this was Cakebread’s first step outside of California. Working with this brand taught us that exploring new terroirs can enhance, not compete with, our legacy. The Royal Slope AVA in Washington offers structure and elegance that beautifully complement our Napa portfolio, proving that geographic diversity can deepen our story without diluting it.

For leaders stepping into roles at established legacy brands, what advice would you give about honoring tradition while driving change?

The key is to treat tradition as both a foundation and a differentiator, not a constraint. Honor the brand’s heritage by deeply understanding its story, values and the trust it has earned over decades, then use that authenticity as a compass for innovation. Change should feel like a natural evolution, rather than a break from the past. The most successful leaders balance respect for what makes the brand timeless with the courage to adapt to new consumer expectations, technologies and markets.

As you hand over to David Amadia, what do you see as the biggest opportunities for Cakebread in the next five years?

Cakebread is entering an incredibly exciting chapter, and I know it’s in great hands with David. One of the biggest opportunities lies in how we continue to engage our customers, both on-property and beyond, in ways that reflect their evolving needs and preferences. Programs like Vine & Dine in partnership with Home Ec are a great example of this. They bring people together around food and wine, embodying our hospitality roots while creating memorable, immersive experiences. They’re just one of the many ways we’re connecting with audiences, not only at the winery but out in the world. We also see tremendous potential in expanding to new AVAs, such as with Bezel, which allows us to bring our legacy wines to more people and more occasions. Whether through thoughtful new releases, expanded distribution, or hospitality-driven experiences, we’re focused on continuing to show up for our customers in meaningful ways. With David’s leadership and vision, I’m confident Cakebread will strike that balance between honoring tradition and embracing forward momentum.

A wider family legacy

The Cakebread name also remains prominent elsewhere in Napa. Rosemary Cakebread of Gallica Wine was recently named Master Winemaker of the Year in db’s Global Masters series, having won top medals in both the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon competitions.

Related news

Treasury Wine Estates plans leaner future amid US and China slowdown

The db wine crime files 2025: part 2

Don't pour this Christmas drink down the sink, plumbers caution