Margo Van Staaveren graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1979 with a B.S. degree in Fermentation Science, and joined Chateau St. Jean Winery & Vineyards as a laboratory technician in 1980. By 1989, she had worked her way up to being named assistant winemaker and then associate winemaker. Margo was designated as winemaker and general manager for Chateau St. Jean in August 2003, a position she held until the end of 2021. During her long tenure with Chateau St. Jean, Margo played a pivotal role in every facet of the winemaking process. As winemaker, she made the final decisions involving blend and style to produce consistently high-quality wines in the super-premium and luxury categories.

Beginning in late 2016, Margo assumed the position as Director of Luxury Winemaking under the umbrella of Treasury Wine Estates. She was named Director of Winemaking for Treasury in 2025. This position includes having an expanded role at Beringer and maintaining its legacy in the wine industry. As she says, “Beringer has long held a special place in my mind and heart—not only as one of Napa Valley’s most historic estates, but as a benchmark for excellence and character in California winemaking,”

Margo believes that great wines are grown, and she is fastidious about choosing the best vineyards to source her fruit. She also believes that blending is an art. To her, one of the greatest accomplishments is to create a wine style or signature blend that comes from vintage to vintage while still capturing the uniqueness of that particular growing year.

Margo and her husband met at Chateau St. Jean, where they were both employed at the time. Their children were reared during her tenure at the winery.