A graduate of Bellarmine University’s MBA program, Christopher Carmicle serves as director of the furniture manufacturer Poly-Wood in Syracuse, Indiana. Outside of work, Christopher Carmicle is a minority investor in Blackbird Vineyards.
Established in 2003 by Michael Polenske, Blackbird Vineyards sits in the heart of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, California. Winemaker Aaron Pott uses the valley’s optimum growing conditions to create elegant red wines.
In June 2017, Blackbird participated in the 37th annual Auction Napa Valley. This marked the vineyard’s 10th year taking part in the event, to which it contributed $322,000. In total, this year’s auction raised $15.7 million to benefit nonprofit youth services, health care, and affordable housing organizations based in Napa County.
For the event, Blackbird Vineyards donated a single barrel of wine produced in 2015, which sold for $1,850 per case. It also collaborated with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas to offer a two-night stay and dinner for two at Twist, paired with Blackbird wines. That package sold for $5,750.
