Michael Polenske

Polenske has always played long odds. (Graduating from Chico State and rising to president and CEO of Chase H & Q's private banking section in his 30s being just one of them.) His Blackbird Vineyards, like other acquisitions in his portfolio, illustrates a principle Polenske says he learned from studying his billionaire clients: Put your money only in projects that reflect your personal interests. Thus his investments over the past 15 years in Manhattan's Soho House (whose pool was featured in television's "Sex and the City"); in a European art and furnishings import business; and in restaurants like San Francisco's Boulette's Larder and Terzo - all of which reflect his own passions for great food and art. All that was lacking was a project related to wine. Polenske remedied that in 2003, when he acquired the 10-acre Blackbird Vineyards in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, planted to Merlot in 1997. He says he is working just as hard as he did (for a lot less money) when he headed J.P. Morgan's West Coast private banking business. His days are spent developing strategic partnerships to expand all his enterprises. When he entertains for business, it's at Ma(i)sonry, local restaurants or at the Napa Valley Reserve, of which he is a founding member. At home, he and his girlfriend, Kim Miller, put together casual gatherings for 10 to 15 friends poolside . As a board member of Encore and Bravo - junior committees for the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Opera - Polenske was accustomed to attending several black-tie events a week.