2023 On Q Wines 'Megandina' Chardonnay Napa Valley

Steve Brady is the passionate founder behind On Q Wines, a tiny, cult-status garage winery tucked into the Coombsville AVA — a place where Napa’s coolest climate meets its most expressive fruit.

Growing up in Napa, Steve’s life revolved around two things: wine and music. He’s played the trumpet since childhood, and the name On Q reflects that deep connection — the precise moment a conductor signals musicians to begin. “In wine, music, and life, timing is everything,” he says. And that philosophy drives everything he creates.

From planting his first vineyard in 2003 to launching On Q Wines in 2010, Steve has blended artistic intuition with meticulous craftsmanship. His three daughters—his biggest supporters—have been at his side from day one, helping turn a family passion into a micro-production label that has earned glowing reviews and high scores from the very first release.

And behind the scenes is the powerhouse that elevates On Q even further: 100-point winemaker Julien Fayard, the man whose résumé includes Château Lafite Rothschild, Quintessa, and Atelier Melka. Julien is one of the most respected winemakers working in Napa today, and his partnership with On Q is nothing short of alchemy.

That mastery reaches a new level with the 2023 Megandina Chardonnay, grown on On Q’s exquisite Megandina Vineyard in the cool southern pocket of Napa Valley. Perched perfectly to receive the first and last fog from San Pablo Bay, the site produces Chardonnay with full ripeness, glowing golden fruit, and naturally bright acidity — the kind of balance you only get when nature and winemaker are perfectly in sync.

Only a couple of hundred cases exist — a rare expression of site, talent, and timing coming together on cue.