Anna Monticelli earned her degree in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis. During her undergraduate years, she spent a year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris and took summer courses in Rome, Italy and Cracow, Poland.

Her first harvest after graduation was at Château Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux, France, in 2000. Upon her return to California, she was the assistant winemaker at Seavey Vineyard in Napa Valley for two years and then the assistant winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyard for four and half years before becoming winemaker at Piña Napa Valley in 2007. Piña produces single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon among other varietals and blends.

Anna met her husband, Mario, while they were students at UC Davis studying viticulture and enology. Today they both hold winemaking positions and also have a joint winemaking venture, Esca Wines. Mario, whose father was a winemaker for Gallo for many years, is the winemaker for Trinchero Napa Reserve. Esca is the Italian word for allurement, an expression of winemaking and living that Anna and Mario embrace. Varietals produced by Esca include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

Anna and Mario enjoy spending time with their three young children and sharing good food and wine with family and friends. Anna was born in Poland and is fluent in French.