In 1983, Mike Beatty, along with other Howell Mountain wineries and farmers, helped to establish the Howell Mountain Appellation (AVA) and reestablish the mountain as a premiere Napa Valley grape growing region. Prohibition had affected the entire wine industry, but with an entrepreneurial spirit and nature on their side, it would not be long before the mountain wineries surpassed their pre-prohibition glory. In 1988, Mike started Howell Mountain Vineyards to produce their own wines and further showcase their grapes. Today, Mike and his son Patrick continue to lead Howell Mountain Vineyards and its focus on producing quality in the field with minimal intervention wine-making in order to showcase the unique characteristics of this distinctive appellation.