Winemaker
Russell Bevan
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- St. Helena, California, United States
i. Biography
Russell Bevan is an American winemaker at Chase Cellars in St. Helena, a name linked to a polished, quietly forceful California red. Born in Sonoma, he came to wine after an earlier career that sat far from the cellar: until 1999, he sold dental equipment in Minneapolis. That change put him on the path of vines, fermenters, and the practical work of building flavor, structure, and place. His name remains closely tied to Chase Cellars and to the style the estate is known for.
The Climb
The career turn is the central fact of this wine work. Russell Bevan spent his early professional years in Minneapolis selling dental equipment until 1999, then moved into wine and became winemaker at Showket in Oakville, Napa Valley from 2005. From there, the work expanded into consulting roles that point to both trust and range. He is now consulting winemaker of Chateau Boswell, consulting winemaker of Chase Cellars, consulting winemaker of Jemrose, consulting winemaker of Westerhold, and consulting winemaker of Wren Hop. The list reflects a career built across different vineyards, sites, and cellar approaches.
Today
At Chase Cellars, the work stays in the present tense of wine: harvest calls, blending decisions, and the steady conversion of vineyard character into bottle. Russell Bevan’s role there depends on restraint and conviction, because each vintage brings its own weather, rhythm, and pressure.
Signature
Russell’s signature wines include 2018 CHASE Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel, 2018 CHASE Katz-Ponzo Vineyard Zinfandel, 2018 CHASE Maggie’s Vineyard Zinfandel, 2018 BOURN Luck, and 2018 CHASE Hayne Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Read together, they show a wide working range: the pepper and lift associated with Zinfandel, the darker frame of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a measured hand that lets fruit, site, and oak stay in balance. The shared 2018 vintage gives the group a clear point of reference, a single season expressed through his work.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Russell
What is Russell Bevan's current role?
As of 2026, Russell Bevan is Winemaker.
Where did Russell Bevan work before?
Russell Bevan's earlier career included Showket.
