Michel was awarded a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Oregon in 1986. He majored in Italian with a minor in Music. Other academic degrees include a Certificate of Keyboard Proficiency, Dick Grove School of Music, Beverly Hills, 1982, and a Diploma de Profitto in Italian Language and Literature from the Universita Degli Studi de Firenze, 1985.
Since his first piano lesson at age three, music has been an integral part of Michel's life. He read music before he could read words. His first major purchase, when he was ten with money earned working in the family winery and vineyard, was an antique foot-powered organ. Through elementary and secondary school he performed at school functions, theatrical productions and winery festivals. The high school "garage" band rehearsed evenings in the winery's barrel room. He studied jazz theory and improvisational jazz with a local veteran artist, while appearing in straight ahead jazz ensembles and vocalists in Portland clubs … before he was of legal drinking age.
At BridgePort, Michel assumed the role of day-to-day family liaison with supervision of the General Manager. In 1995, he successfully negotiated the sale of BridgePort. At the winery, he took on administrative responsibilities from legal, accounting and tax matters to regulatory compliance and personnel. He brought Ponzi Vineyards into the computer age and remains its technology guru. As the world stepped into the 21st century, the economy was thriving and the domestic wine industry continued to explode with popularity. Michel created an expansion strategy and was instrumental in securing the property and structuring construction start up for the new production facility, Collina del Sogno. His steady hand continues to help steer Ponzi towards a vibrant future. In addition to his winery responsibilities as CEO, he also oversees The Dundee Bistro.
Michel composes in his home studio, accompanies his singer/songwriter wife Rebecca, and teaches his two sons the magic of music. The family resides at the immaculate La Luce Vineyard. The music and wine duo seem to stay in harmony.