A finance chief blending tradition and fresh ideas in Napa's wine world

At 35, Kevin Johnsen runs the numbers behind California’s 10th biggest wine maker—Fior di Sole—but he sees his real job as shaping how the company grows without losing sight of its roots. He joined as finance director in 2022, became CFO a year later, and added COO in 2025. His list of responsibilities reads like a business textbook: accounting, supply chains, legal, IT, compliance and even the factory floor. Over 250 employees bottle more than 4. 5 million cases every year under his watch. Johnsen’s style is disciplined yet daring. He pushes teams to question old habits, take smart risks and link their daily work to bigger goals. One colleague mentions his push for lighter bottles not only cut shipping fuel and raw materials but also made the company a quieter neighbor in Napa. He treats sustainability as insurance for the valley’s future, not just a green slogan.He argues that wine has depended too long on gut feeling and family ties. Younger leaders like him bring data, digital tools and new ways to talk to drinkers who don’t yet collect vintage labels. Still, he insists tradition matters—just not at the cost of progress. His proudest moment? Guiding Fior di Sole through wild markets and rising costs without cutting corners on quality or workers. The company now balances steady profits with bold bets, proving that balance sheets can grow while vineyards stay green.