Karakasevic Family

The Charbay Family

Miles Karakasevic
Co-Owner and Founder

Miles Karakasevic is a European winemaker and Master Distiller. Born in old Yugoslavia, he apprenticed in the tradition followed by the Karakasevic family since the 1750's. Following in their footsteps, learning the secrets of his forefathers, he eventually became certified as a Master Distiller, a title earned by equaling or bettering the work of another Master. Along the way, Miles studied Enology and Viticulture at the University of Belgrade.

Immigrating to the New World in 1962, Miles first stopped in Canada and Michigan before eventually settling in California in 1970. In 1972, he and Susan purchased the seventeen-acre property on Spring Mountain that now is home for the family as well as Domaine Charbay. In the following years, Miles was employed by a number of wineries, including Beringer Vineyards, where he was assistant winemaker. Longing to distill, he convinced a client to import an Alambic Pot Still from Cognac. Miles started two of the three distilleries in Mendocino County. In 1983, he and Susan began making their own wines and brandy under the name Domaine Karakash. Being comfortable with all aspects of fermenting and making many wines, even champagne, now he was excited to begin a brandy program. Miles has been distilling with his family ever since.

As an avid reader, Miles enjoys history, science, and philosophy. He has been known to spend hours on the Internet—reading, researching and exploring the world. Making a healthy soup or stew comes as naturally as winemaking. "I like to cook because it’s instantaneous. My wines & brandies take years, but a good Chorba (soup) takes only hours.” Miles and Susan plan to spend more time near the shore: “We are drawn to the water.”

Susan Karakasevic
Co-Owner and Founder

Susan Reagh Karakasevic grew up in Michigan. Her studies of art at Western Michigan University were interrupted when she met and married Miles. In 1970 they left Michigan to jump into the budding California wine business. That’s where she raised their two children,

In the early '80s, Susan studied the marketing aspects of the wine business. In 1983, she and Miles made their first wines and brandy. Susan began marketing the family line of Domaine Karakash wines and brandy in 1985. In 1991, she changed the business name to Domaine Charbay. Susan worked with Miles and Marko to build their winery and distillery beside the family home, where she now manages the sales, packaging, marketing and exuberant energy of Miles and Marko. She edits the newsletters and pushes her two artists, Miles and Marko, to get the two annual releases out on her schedule. The Pastis release, closest to her heart, was her first solo package design.

"I am fortunate to have enough Irish-German blood to stand up to the wild Yugoslav that has made my life so colorful! We are just hitting our stride. All the long hours and all the hard work have been worth it. We've found our niche. Wait till you see what's coming."


	Marko J. Karakasevic XIIIth Generation Winemaker & Distiller in the Karakasevic Family

Born in California, Marko Karakasevic grew up around pumps, hoses and tanks. This was his father's world and the family always lived close to the winery where Miles, his father, made wine. Marko graduated from St. Helena High School and spent a year at Davis where he began his studies in sports physical therapy. However, harvests would find Marko working in various Napa Valley wineries.

After working in a Napa Valley tasting room, he discovered he liked all sides of the wine business—from production to sharing his winemaking experience with visitors.

In the fall of ’95, Marko realized he wanted to apprentice under his father and be the 13th generation to carry on the Karakasevic family tradition. That's when his parents realized: "He's the man we've been looking for."

From that point on, he has submitted to the same tough routine of generations of Karakasevic men and women before him: learning the winemaking, the distilling and the running of a family business where one must wear many hats. The Domaine Charbay Distillers' Port is a spirited salute to this father and son team. Marko conceived the idea of Charbay's whole-fruit flavored vodka program. He found the fruit and designed the packaging. Now, with two generations of enthusiastic winemakers/distillers behind the Charbay label, there are even more releases of "perfumes for the soul” to watch for.

Give Marko a few days off and he’ll head down to Baja. There’s a little town where they all know him and he stays with the fishing boat captains. BV, ‘Before Vodka’, his travels were longer. One was a summer trip through South America with time in Cusco and Machu Picchu during the Summer Solstice. Lately his trips have been New York City and Las Vegas! Marko, like everyone in this family, likes to travel & explore. Marko, no matter where he roams, always loves coming home to his St. Helena and his mountain top.

He carries on the tradition as generation XIII. Marko married his long-time girlfriend Jenni Olson in April of 2009. Everyone agrees, she's a great addition to the family.

Jenni Olson Karakasevic
National Sales Director

Jenni is the face of Charbay throughout the US with Marko, her husband.
Presently the National Sales Manager, she is a California native who
attended school in Santa Rosa and college in Angwin. She built a strong base
of management skills with over seven years of experience in the fields of
catering, resort F&B Management and restaurant management. In St. Helena,
everyone loved Jenni as the manager of Market Restaurant for four years.

In 2005 Jenni joined Charbay in the tasting room, quickly learning to wear
many hats as everyone in the Charbay family does.

In 2007 she took on the California brand manager position as well as working
in the winery/distillery with events, management and marketing. In 2009 she
took over the national sales manager position and continues to be a strong
guiding force for Charbay.

She is an avid reader and enjoys sports such as jet skiing, fishing,
snowmobiling as well as gardening. Social Media programs tap her interest
level as she finds new ways of sharing the Charbay story.

After 7 years of dating, Jenni & Marko were married in April of 2009 at
their favorite fishing resort in Baja where they go to fish, relax & chill
out with friends.

It's a fast pace at Charbay where she pours her youthful energy into sharing
the dream of an independent family winery & distillery producing world class
wines & spirits. She is now part of generation XIII - as the story carries
on.

The Charbay Team - Behind the Scenes, making it happen -

Mark Wiget - He's the man who gets the trucks loaded, packs your orders and works with Marko on production. He likes to fish, garden & cook Korean foods... we hear he's a pretty good chef!

Dana Rasmussen -The voice on the phone when you call in - that's usually Dana who keeps the office running smoothly, watches over your orders and gets the shipping out on time. She's lived in more countries then we ship to so it's always fun to hear about her adventures. She's an avid bike rider, a pound cake aficionado and mother of a lively 16 year old. Talk to Dana & she'll see you're taken care of.

Mark Raymond - Just left to start his own business: Mark's The Spot! A movable Food Van for Napa County. We'll miss him.

John Reagh(Ray) - Tasting Room and Production
Just in from South Africa, John is Susan's brother who is a graduate Enologist. He's working Marko in production, also. Marko & John plan to step up the port program.

Be sure to stay on the mailing list to hear what's new at Charbay. If you're not getting our monthly newsletter then sign up here. We like to include at least one cocktail from Jenni & her star accounts!

		And here are Sniffy & Sunny, the official greeting committee for winery visitors...