History
Gus Kalaris founded Axios, a luxury Napa Valley wine brand in 1999 to much acclaim. The success of Axios has spawned the Worthy, Truth, Kalaris and Telios brands. In 2013 Kalaris purchased a home surrounded by over 10 acres of vineyards in Calistoga. His goal is to produce a world class Pomerol-style red wines from the estate under the Kalaris label.
Gus Kalaris
Gus Kalaris is the founder and owner of Constantine Wines, a wine distribution and import company founded in 1986 that has enjoyed a great reputation for premium offerings. Under his leadership, Constantine Wines has enjoyed decades of uninterrupted growth. Kalaris founded Axios, a luxury Napa Valley wine brand in 1999 to much acclaim. The success of Axios has spawned the Worthy, Truth, Kalaris and Telios brands. Gus, a Greek American, born in Washington, DC is fluent in the Greek language and dedicated to his heritage. Kalaris has received numerous awards and national recognition for his charitable endeavors and serves on many charitable and philanthropic boards including Cystic Fibrosis and the Cal Ripken Sr Foundation.
In 2013, Kalaris purchased a home surrounded by over 10 acres of vineyards in Calistoga. His goal is to produce a world class Pomerol-style red blend from the estate under the Kalaris label.
Robert Egelhoff, Winemaker
Robert Egelhoff is one of Napa Valley's most sought-after winemakers, with over thirty years of viticultural and winemaking experience. Egelhoff launched his career as vineyard manager for Beckstoffer Vineyards, where he worked for three years. From there he joined Bill Harlan's Merryvale Vineyards, honing his winemaking skills under the tutelage of Bob Levy and consultant Michel Rolland. Further credentials include positions with prestigious wineries including Bella Vista, Amizetta and Robert Craig. In addition he has coordinated production for over three dozen nationally recognized brands. In one of his career highlights, Egelhoff made the Wine Spectator 1997 wine of the year, the Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147, for David Arthur Vineyards, which catapulted him to cult winemaker status. An essential philosophy behind Egelhoff's approach to winemaking is a hands-on involvement in directing vineyard and winemaking practices while closely monitoring the results. For Axios, Egelhoff selects grapes from premium vineyards and oversees all aspects of the winemaking process, a close involvement that is founded on his exacting demands for quality.
Mr. Egelhoff graduated from the University of California, Davis, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He lives in St. Helena with his wife and two children.
Manny Gomes, Vineyard and Estate Manager
Manny is a valuable member to our Axios family. The Vineyard Estate Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our farming operations. Manny helps advise the Production Management Team on the short-term and long-term fruit supply.