• 2003

    Mike and Kara Dunn launched Retro Cellars to honor vineyard history and their family roots in Napa Valley winemaking, with deep ties to Dunn Vineyards and Pecota Winery.

  • 2005

    Retro Cellars released its first vintage, the 2003 Petite Sirah from the historic Park-Muscatine Vineyard, establishing a focus on cool-climate expression and balanced, age-worthy wines.

  • 2012

    A one-acre block of Syrah was planted adjacent to the family home, marking the beginning of Retro Cellars’ estate Syrah and a long-term commitment to farming and place.

  • 2016

    The estate Syrah was produced for the first time, bringing the original vision to life. That same year, Retro Cellars expanded to include Zinfandel from Green & Red Vineyard in Chiles Valley, thoughtfully broadening the portfolio through site-driven sourcing.

  • 2022

    Mike and Alex took over vineyard management, introducing a renewed focus on farming practices including carbon sequestration planning and grazing sheep to improve soil health.

  • Present Day

    Retro Cellars continues to craft uncompromising, old-world wines including Syrah and Zinfandel, guided by new-world innovation, family legacy, and Howell Mountain terroir.

Meet the Team

At the heart of Retro Cellars is a family dedicated to crafting wines that honor tradition, creativity, and sustainability. We bring a hands-on approach to every part of the process - from vineyard to bottle - ensuring the next generation carries their legacy forward.

Mike Dunn

Mike Dunn moved from Davis to Howell Mountain in 1978 at age 12. The Dunn family made their home in the old stagecoach house on the Dunn Vineyards property. Mike thrived as a farm boy in his youth, riding his bike, fishing, and working the vineyards for minimum (maybe not quite ?!?) wage. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Physical Anthropology and started a bicycle shop in Calistoga in 1990, Palisades Mountain Sport. Nine years later, in 1999, he joined the family winery part-time, becoming full-time in 2004. Mike is an avid cyclist, lead singer in an 80’s rock cover band, and proud father of Alex, Tatyana and Beau.

Kara Dunn

Kara Dunn moved to the Napa Valley in 1972 at age 6, where her family lived in the old farmhouse that is now Paraduxx Winery in Oakville. In 1974 the Pecota family moved upvalley to Calistoga, where her father Robert started his eponymous winery in 1978. Kara graduated from UC Davis with a degree in International Relations. She worked for Robert Pecota Winery for 15 years before starting Retro Cellars with her husband Mike Dunn. She is the lucky and admiring mother of Alex and Tatyana, a certified California Naturalist, avid tennis player and Mah Jongg enthusiast.

Alex Dunn

Alex was born and raised on Howell Mountain, where he spent long hours outdoors crafting mountain bike trails and jumps. A natural artist in many mediums, he graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute with a major in sculpture. After working for Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and the Redwood Trails Alliance, he joined the family winery in 2022. Today, he and his wife Rachael make their home close by the winery.  Alex is the estate farmer, overseeing the vineyards and nurturing a kitchen garden for winery employees.

Ted Kizor

Assistant Winemaker, is our resident UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Grad. He joined Dunn in March 2020 after several international harvests at notable estates the likes of Stephane Ogier in Côte Rôtie, Clonakilla in Australia, Ridge Vineyards in Santa Cruz and Joseph Swan in Sonoma.

Rafi

Rafi Rivero was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He found his way to wine through the restaurant world. A pandemic-era pivot brought him to Napa Valley, where he spent time at Chappellet Winery and as a harvest intern at Colgin Cellars. Today, Rafi can be found at Retro Cellars offering friendly hospitality to our clients.

Beau

Beau is our winery pup. His favorite pastimes are chasing butterfly shadows, lizards and being a lap dog in the tasting room.