In addition to offering an extensive array of cutting edge products and services found on the trade show floor, the 2024 WIN Expo educational conference sessions include 12 comprehensive workshops focusing on four main tracks: Winemaking & Production, Sales & Marketing, Business Strategy & Leadership, and Vineyard & Growers.
All four tracks feature interactive sessions to facilitate greater subject emersion, insights, and value for the attendees, as expert panels of industry thought leaders and innovators will be sharing their ideas, information, and predictions to help better prepare for the coming year.
"This business isn't getting any less competitive," acknowledges George Christie, Founder & CEO of Wine Industry Network. "That's why the educational component has evolved into a much bigger experience. It's imperative that we touch on all the main points; how do we make better wine, grow better grapes, and be more effective with our sales and marketing strategies? That's exactly what we've designed these sessions to focus on."
Online Pre-Registration Has Ended
Walk-In Tickets are available at the Registration Tent, at the North Side of Grace Pavilion, when you arrive at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
The Registration tent opens at 8:30am on 12/05/2024.
Session Topics & Tracks
Exhibit Hall Trial Tastings
9:30am - 10:30am
11:30am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Session Details
This workshop focuses on mastering mouthfeel in wine. Using your own tools, you will explore how different components interact to create a perfectly balanced wine. You'll gain technical insights on how to influence these components and learn about practical winemaking tools. By the end of the session, you'll have both tangible tools and knowledge to better understand and play with mouthfeel, the principles of balance in wine, and how tannins and polysaccharides affect it. Don’t miss this hands-on workshop to experiment with the key elements that shape and refine your final product.
In the dynamic landscape of DTC wine sales, effective communication is the cornerstone of success. This session is tailored for the DTC wine professionals seeking to refine their communication mix. Experts in the field will discuss channel selection and how to determine what mix of emails, text, and/or phone fits a brand’s goals, frequency optimization of those selected channels to ensure their effectiveness, and the utilization of personalization and preference tracking to dramatically increase the impact of each channel. Finally, no marketing strategy is complete without measurement to determine what elements are truly moving the needle in the areas of the defined metrics that actually matter to your company. Join this session for a comprehensive conversation to explore the ideal DTC communication mix and leave with clear takehome tactics to apply to your business.
This comprehensive session is designed to help guide winery owners through the critical process of planning their exit. Whether considering acquisition, succession, or other exit avenues, this session will provide valuable insights into maximizing value and ensuring a smooth transition. Expert speakers will cover key elements, including valuation, legal and tax implications, and the pros and cons of various exit strategies. Learn how to prepare your business for sale, identify potential buyers or successors, and navigate the complexities of exit planning to secure a successful and rewarding departure.
This session will delve into the strategic advantages of transitioning to regenerative farming for North Coast wine grape growers, emphasizing both business and ecological benefits. Participants will explore how regenerative practices, including soil health restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and water conservation, can lead to increased vineyard productivity, reduced input costs, and long-term financial resilience. The discussion will also highlight how these practices can be accurately measured and at the same time differentiate your vineyard / brand in a competitive grape market, appealing to eco-conscious wineries, consumers and retailers as well as securing premium pricing. Attendees will gain practical insights from case studies of successful regenerative transitions, learning how best to track, measure and implement these methods to enhance vineyard sustainability and profitability. Join us to discover how this transition can create a thriving future for your business and the environment.
This session will explore and demonstrate, through trial tastings, how eco-innovative ultrasound technology increases the extraction of compounds from the grapes. This system extracts the maximum potential by means of high-power, low-frequency ultrasound. The technology allows for more effective treatment of grapes with imbalances between phenolic and technological maturity due to climate change. Agrovin Group will lead a conversation of winemakers utilizing their Ultrawine Perseo technology to reduce costs in the vinification process while improving the quality of wines through ultrasound methods. Until recently, the utilization of ultrasound methods had not been used in the winemaking sector; however, the results now indicate it will be a necessity in the toolbox of technology for the future of enology.
Federico Casassa
Professor of Oenology & Wine Sensory Analysis / Cal Poly University (California)
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In today's wine industry, managing distributor relations requires treating them as true partnerships rather than mere transactional relationships. This session will explore and provide examples of the importance of cultivating a collaborative approach, and the results when successfully executed. Attendees will discover how active engagement, open communication, and shared goals with distributors can lead to better market insights, stronger brand control, and higher returns on investment. By fostering a partnership mindset, wineries can enhance their presence in the market, build trust with accounts, and ultimately drive greater profitability and long-term growth. The closer and more synergistic the relationship, the more significant the benefits for both the brand and its distribution partners.
Low and no-alcohol wines are not a threat to the wine industry; they represent a growing opportunity for wineries to diversify their offerings. This session will showcase pioneering brands that recognized this shift early and are innovating in both production and marketing to maintain their brand integrity and quality standards. We'll explore the latest advancements in low and no-alcohol wines, with a focus on preserving aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel - complete with samples for tasting. Attend this session to discover how you can seamlessly integrate low and no-alcohol wines into your portfolio, meeting the evolving needs of today’s consumers.
Join us for an insightful session focused on the essentials of vineyard design for grape growers looking to replant or develop new vineyards. Discover how innovative planning can lead to cost-effective farming and enhanced quality. We'll explore the latest technologies, such as precision agriculture, automation, and data analytics, that can optimize vineyard layout, irrigation, and trellising systems. Learn practical strategies to future-proof your vineyard, ensuring it meets the demands of today's market and remains adaptable for future advancements. This session will provide valuable guidance on creating a vineyard setup that maximizes efficiency, sustainability, profitability and quality.
Morning Menu: 9:00am – 11:00am
Lunch Menu: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Breakfast Burritos = Assorted Pricing (until sold out)
Coffee = Assorted Pricing (Sold @ self-serve station until 11:00am)
Grab-n-Go sodas and bottled water sold separately.
Nitrogen is the essential nutrient to facilitate the transport and biosynthesis of sugar; which directly impacts the wine’s aromatic compounds (thiols, esters, higher alcohols). The primary issue of a lack in yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in winemaking is sluggish or stuck fermentations promote the growth of alteration species negatively impacting your winemaking results. Simply correcting the nitrogen deficiency is not always enough to restore proper fermentation. This session will explore how the use of yeast derived nutrients can provide a wide spectrum of macro and micro-nutrients that help promote fermentation completion and encourage the production of positive aromas while decreasing the formation of negative off-flavors.
Join us for an insightful session on the strategic importance of in-market Direct to Consumer (DTC) events. This session will highlight how these events can significantly enhance brand awareness, customer engagement, and sales for wineries. Explore various event types, such as pop-up tastings and winemaker dinners, and learn best practices for successful execution. Discover how these events not only drive immediate sales but also foster long-term brand loyalty and customer relationships. Additionally, we will discuss the positive impact on the wholesale channel, as in-market events can increase brand visibility and demand, benefiting distributor relationships and overall market presence. Gain practical tips to maximize profitability and growth through targeted in-market events.
Christian Klier and Marc Cuneo of Turrentine Brokerage will highlight key data points from the 2024 harvest along with the current state of the bulk wine market and what this could mean for the upcoming year. The conversation will explore what influences are impacting the winegrape and bulk wine market as well as more specific discussion about the unique nuances impacting the North Coast region. As the wine industry continues to face economic headwinds, access to the information that will be presented is key to winning in such a competitive environment.
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Prepare for the future of grape growing with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. This session will explore how artificial intelligence (AI), precision agriculture, and mechanized farming tools—like electric tractors, trucks, and automated harvesters—are transforming vineyard management. Learn how these innovations create efficiencies, reduce costs, and enhance fruit quality while adapting to climate challenges and labor shortages. Discover the benefits of integrating technology with traditional practices, ensuring your vineyard remains competitive and sustainable in an evolving industry landscape.
Bonus Sessions
Imagine promoting your product in an environment of constant negative media, dwindling audience interest, and restrictive regulations. Welcome to wine marketing in 2024.
We all know our industry is facing a perfect storm head on:
But here’s what may surprise you — some brands are not just surviving, but thriving.
In this session, we’ll share with you battle-tested marketing know-how proven to build successful wine businesses in today’s challenging market.
You’ll learn:
As the wine industry grapples with intensified scrutiny and rapidly evolving consumer preferences, you’ll need strategies not just to weather the storm, but to flourish. This session provides actionable insights for transforming industry-wide challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.
This presentation will focus on practical, easy-to-implement strategies for wineries aiming to drive growth in their DTC sales. Commerce7 will share best practices for maximizing your online channels, innovative ways to engage wine club members, boost average order values, and create a seamless, customer-centric shopping journey that encourages repeat purchases.
Exhibit Hall Trial Tastings
The exhibit hall trial tastings program features complimentary trial tastings exploring how different products and methods affect wine outcomes. These trials are unique to the Exhibit Hall Floor and don't require separate registration - they are separate from any Conference Session Trials.
10:15am - 3:00pm (Booth #616)
Come taste the FUTURE of sparkling wines at this tasting hosted by Rack & Riddle and Solos. We begin with a tour of California’s finest appellations for crafting Blanc de Blancs Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines – Napa Valley, Sonoma County, North Coast and California. Next, you'll have the chance to sample our exciting new FLAVORED Charmat sparkling wines! As flavored wines continue to grow in popularity, we’re pouring some of the most in-demand styles: Lemon Ginger Fizz, Red & White Sangria, and Peach Mango. And you won’t want to miss our LOW and NO Alcohol wines, poured with our partners at Solos. We are proud to bring you The Best of All Things Sparkling™!
Join us for an exclusive wine tasting event where we delve into the transformative effects of Oenozym Thiols on wine aroma and complexity. Discover how this innovative enzyme enhances the aromatic potential of both red and white wines by unlocking thiol aroma precursors, resulting in fresher, brighter, and more complex profiles.
At the event, you’ll sample four wines—two reds and two whites—both with and without Oenozym Thiols treatment. Oenozym Thiols is specifically designed to release thiol precursors and terpenes, boosting vibrant citrus, berry, and fruity notes typically found in premium wines.
During fermentation, this enzyme converts precursors like 4MSP and 3SH into volatile thiols, intensifying tropical fruit aromas and enhancing the wine’s depth. It can also be applied during maturation or just before bottling to further amplify these characteristics, making wines more aromatic and fruit-forward.
Many thiol precursors remain unexpressed during natural fermentation. By utilizing Oenozym Thiols, winemakers can unlock these hidden aromas, particularly for wines with muted or overripe profiles, resulting in fresher, more dynamic expressions.
This tasting provides a side-by-side comparison of control wines and those treated with Oenozym Thiols. Whether red or white, you’ll experience firsthand how this enzyme elevates fruit-forward aromas and adds complexity, making it a valuable tool for enhancing varietal expression and aromatic quality before bottling.
For more information on incorporating Oenozym Thiols into your winemaking process, be sure to watch our webinar, The Role of Thiols: Elevating Aromas in Wine, and review our technical sheet for detailed insights. Visit our online shop for more on Oenozym Thiols.
We look forward to exploring these exciting innovations with you!
The wine industry is the only segment in the food and beverage industry that accepts that the closure might affect the product. Through a comparative tasting, DIAM and G3 will demonstrate the importance of cleaning corks. Supercritical CO2 with differentiated pressure is currently the only and safest technology to consistently ensure the removal of 150 molecules from the corks. With over 20 billion bottles corked using DIAM over the last 20 years; DIAM has been providing the most neutral corks to the market.
ZENITH MEGA is an effective, fast, and easy-to-use product for tartaric and color stabilization of red wines.
The special formulation of ZENITH MEGA makes it:
Effective for tartaric stabilization: the synergy of potassium polyaspartate and mannoproteins makes it suitable for stabilizing even highly unstable red wines.
Effective for color stabilization: Verek gum Arabic prevents the precipitation of unstable color in wine.
Boost wine quality: ZENITH MEGA enhances the sensation of volume, smoothness, flavor, and aromatic freshness.
Improve environmental sustainability: stabilization with ZENITH MEGA results in lower water and energy consumption, and less greenhouse gas production than glycol chilling methods.
Come taste the difference ZENITH MEGA can make!
Tannins are polyphenolic compounds that naturally occur in grapes and oak, but can also be added as enological tannins. Often only appreciated for their contributions to structure and mouthfeel, enological tannins are also a natural way to prevent oxidative damage, as well as impact wine flavor and aroma.
Enological tannins are produced from numerous botanical sources; their impacts are greatly affected by source material and compositions. Our finishing tannins are highly purified and sourced from French Oak. They can be added 48 hours prior to bottling and do not require racking, making them excellent choices for last-minute adjustments. Join us at this session to try Scott'Tan Onyx on 2023 Russian River Pinot noir.
Ever tried to adjust CO2 on a red wine in order to reduce the edge of tannins and improve smoothness of the mid-palate? This is achieved with different peculiarities, but with a comparable impact on taste to what happens to red wines during micro-oxygenation.
For this tasting we have modulated the content of CO2 using an instrument called ISIOX. It works with a membrane which only allows the exchange of certain gasses without stripping aromas. The wine treated flows through a hydrophobic molecular sieve in counterflow to the technical process gas. The partial pressure difference results in the subtraction or addition of low molecular weight gases dissolved in the product.
Other than just removing CO2, which will be the focus of the tasting, ISIOX can remove O2, an important step especially following tartaric stabilization, during pre-bottling, or when unloading tank-trucks.
ISIOX is also the instrument to be used when adding 2-3 g/l of CO2 to adjust the wine’s vibrancy before bottling.
Ultimately, wines processed through ISIOX also have less H2S and methyl mercaptans.
amaea’s molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology has been uniquely designed to selectively capture target molecules in wine. This enables winemakers to sensorially tailor their wines, using a reusable, low-impact production solution.
Available for use in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, amaea’s applications include palate fining as well as smoke, pyrazine, frost and Brettanomyces impact remediation.
During the tasting, you will have the opportunity to sample wines treated for pyrazine and frost impact as well as wildfire smoke.
This Paso Robles Malbec was made from grapes harvested prior to optimal brix, just after a frost event. Pyrazines and other terpenes, indicative of immature fruit, are evident in the untreated control. After treatment, the fruit characters become more evident, and the unripe characters are minimized. Separately, MIPs have also been used to reduce pyrazines concentration in other trials on Cabernet Sauvignon and demonstrated a 25% decrease (data not shown).Wine A: 2023 Paso Robles Malbec with Frost Impact
Wine A (Untreated Control)
Wine B (amaea treated at 4.5 g/L dose rate, 100 CV flow rate)
Description: Smoke Impact Removal
This Napa Cabernet Sauvignon was moderately affected by smoke from wildfires in 2020. Smoky and ashy characters are present in the untreated control wine. After treatment, the varietal characters are more pronounced, and the aftertaste is greatly diminished. Previous work has shown that amaea VPx smoke remediation treatment removes thiophenols, the compounds responsible for the ‘ashy’ aftertaste in smoke affected wines. See the data sheet for volatile phenols removal, attached.
Wine B: 2020 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with Smoke
Wine C (amaea VPx treated at 20 g/L dose rate, 75 CV flow rate)
Wine D (Untreated Control)
| Guaiacol (ug/L) | 4- methylguaiacol (ug/L) | m-cresol (ug/L) | o-cresol (ug/L) | p-cresol (ug/L) | Total Cresols (ug/L) | Total Smoke Index (ug/L) | % Removal | |
| Control | 5.3 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 7.1 | 13.6 | |
| Treated | 3.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 8.0 | 41% |
About Molecularly Imprinted Polymers:
amaea’s molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) are reusable filtration beads designed to help balance and remediate wine.
For every gram of MIPs there are approximately a quintillion (1018) binding sites designed to precisely fit and capture target molecules during filtration. The selective process helps to preserve the integrity, while enhancing the sensory quality of wine.
Speaker Bios
Cody Ashurst is a former grape grower born and raised in Hopland, California. He grew up in the vineyards and helped his father from a young age. After graduating from Arizona State University with a Degree in Global Agricultural Business, he returned to his family's 4th generation farm to help his father manage their vineyards and pear orchard. After his father sold their ranch in 2021, he joined Phytech, a global AgTech SaaS company specializing in plant, soil moisture, irrigation, and climate monitoring along with automation. Cody joined Phytech to bring the technology to grape growers throughout California out of a passion for helping farmers. He now works at Phytech as the Vineyard Success Manager, helping wine and table grape growers throughout California, Washington, Oregon, South America, and Israel better understand their vine's water needs and irrigation strategies through Phytech’s data. Through the Phytech platform, he helps growers with irrigation strategies throughout the season for water stress, brix accumulation, dehydration mitigation, soil moisture holding, and other tools within the platform.
Roger Beery is the Proprietor and Winemaker’s Dad at J. Cage Cellars, a boutique Sonoma producer of award-winning Pinot Noirs and other wines. As a “one man show,” Roger has learned to leverage multiple avenues to reach his clientele and has had particular success with text marketing.
As VP of Engineering at 5forests, Michael brings a wealth of expertise in web development, digital strategy, and data analytics to our clients. Overseeing all technological initiatives, Michael ensures our products excel in performance, security, and accessibility.
Highly regarded for his deep understanding of the Commerce7 ecommerce platform, Michael has become a go-to technical expert for wineries around the world. His dedication to excellence drives the ongoing improvement of 5forests’ digital products, like our custom WordPress themes and Enhanced integrations. He also works closely with technology partners to roll out new accessibility features and refine platform functionality.
Michael is an open-source contributor and the creator of the pioneering “Commerce7 for WordPress.” plugin, which has simplified Commerce7 integration for over 600 wineries globally. He actively participates in the WordPress community by organizing local meetups, contributing to WordPress development, and speaking at WordCamp events on topics like SEO, website speed optimization, and web accessibility.
Cassie Braswell is a dedicated professional with years of experience in the wine industry, business strategy, and water conservation. Born and raised in Visalia, California, she moved to Sonoma County in 2006 after falling in love with the region. There, she studied at Sonoma State University, earning her BA and later completing her MBA with honors.
With over 17 years in the wine industry, Cassie has covered DTC operations, sales, and marketing. The last seven years of her career have solidified her passion for resource conservation. While working for a wholesale irrigation supplier during the drought years, she guided clients in finding grant funding and offered creative ways to improve water and energy efficiency.
Now, she works to empower 21st-century farms with agricultural technology solutions from HotSpot AG. Through trust and collaboration, she supports vineyard managers and viticulturists, using tools such as groundwater, reservoir, flow/pressure, weather, and soil monitoring paired with on/off control of pumps, valves, and engines to help growers enhance irrigation while reducing operational costs.
In her personal time, Cassie finds tranquility in growing fruits and vegetables in her garden and enjoys exploring parks across the state with her husband and five rescue dogs.
Bio coming soon.
Professor of Oenology and Wine Sensory Analysis at Cal Poly University (California). He has researched for years the phenolic extraction and retention of red wines, the chemistry of wine aroma and the sensory consequences of these phenomena.
Tony Chapman grew up in the small town of Fairfax just south of The Donum Estate in Marin County. Always fascinated with vineyards and the wine at his family dinners, he went on to study Wine and Viticulture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. During his studies, he worked at Tablas Creek Vineyards where he was introduced to regenerative, organic, and biodynamic farming. Soon after graduating, he traveled to New Zealand, where he worked at Bell Hill Vineyards in North Canterbury. After his stint in New Zealand, he accepted a full-time position at Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley of Australia. During that time, he traveled to Austria to work a vintage at Moric in Burgenland. After relocating back to California and working for several producers, he joined the Donum team in 2019. Tony’s approach is to use regenerative farming practices to grow resilient vines that create vibrant, site-expressive wines.
Jérôme Chéry is a native of Châteauroux, a small town south of Orléans in France. Raised in a family with a deep appreciation for wine, he developed an early passion for the craft, drinking Champagne at the age of ten and listening to his father’s vivid descriptions of Pommard. His grandmother, a seller of Chassagne-Montrachet, inspired his enduring love for Chardonnay and the wines of Burgundy.
Jérôme earned a degree in Enology from l’Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, where he gained a solid foundation in winemaking.
His career began with harvest internships spanning Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire Valley, and Swan Valley in Australia, before he found his calling in California’s Napa Valley.
Currently, Jérôme serves as the winemaker at Gentleman Farmer, crafting an exceptional portfolio of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a Rosé of Pinot Noir.
With years of experience exploring California’s terroir, he balances intuition with analytical expertise to create wines that reflect both precision and artistry.
Jérôme’s passion for wine, cooking, fine dining, and travel aligns perfectly with his winemaking philosophy, fueling his dedication to the craft and inspiring his pursuit of excellence in every bottle.
Dr. Jessica Chiartas received her PhD in Soils & Biogeochemistry from the University of California, Davis. After her PhD, she served as a fellow with the Innovation Institute for Food and Health and is currently a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Plant Sciences. Her research focuses on the long-term impacts of agricultural management on soil carbon (to a depth of 1+ meters), soil health and the provision of ecosystem services across a diversity of soils, climates, and production systems. Through participatory research and multi-stakeholder engagement, she seeks to develop communities of practice and marketplace infrastructure to support, incentivize and scale adoption of soil health/regenerative management.
Over the last five years, Jessica has supported businesses, brands, non-profits, and NGOs in developing bespoke monitoring programs to track the environmental, agronomic, and economic impacts of regenerative management; including Ben & Jerry’s, Simple Mills, Daily Harvest, Citizens of Humanity, Community Alliance with Family Farms, Fibershed, and Moonshot Snacks. She is President and Lead Scientist at RegenScore, an evidence-backed, place-based, scoring framework for assessing regenerative agriculture. Jessica is an advisor for the North Coast Soil Health Hub, LandCore USA, PlanetFwd, Crop/Range-C (and formerly Regenerative Organic Certification); serves on the ASA-CSA-SSSA Science Policy Committee; and represents UC Davis in the California Farm Demonstration Network. She is also founder/creator of Soil Life, a website and series of short videos and educational resources that inspire, empower, and engage young people in the many solutions to global challenges that lie right beneath their feet.
Joe Ciatti has more than forty years of wine industry experience, a deep network of industry influencers, and a long track-record of high profile vineyard and winery transactions in California, Oregon, and Washington. At Zepponi & Company, Joe’s long term relationships and proven track record of successes have proven to be an asset during negotiations. His understanding of the wine industry aids in creating mutually beneficial opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
Joe's grandfather, Giuseppe Bagnani, owned Sonoma County's Geyser Peak Winery in Alexander Valley for several decades after Prohibition ended. Joe’s early accomplishments included establishing Joseph W. Ciatti Company and growing it into the world’s largest brokerage of grapes and bulk wines, with offices around the world. In 2005, he became Chairman and CEO of Vintage Wine Trust, a real estate investment trust that was devoted to vineyard and winery properties. Joe received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon.
Marc Cuneo joined Turrentine Brokerage as a Bulk wine Broker in 2010, bringing industry experience ranging from grower relations to wine marketing. Marc entered the wine business as a sales representative for Southern Wines and Spirits in San Francisco after receiving a Business Administration degree at the University of the Pacific. He then moved on to work at his family’s winery, Sebastiani Vineyards. During his decade at Sebastiani Vineyards, he began as a cellar worker and steadily advanced within the company, serving as the Vice President of Grower Relations and as a member of the executive team. Marc has also received his executive MBA from Sonoma State University.
In his spare time, Marc can be seen riding horses with his wife and four kids in Sonoma and is also an avid traveler and hunter.
For over 30 years, Michael De Loach has been a wine industry leader in planning, management, sales and marketing.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Sonoma County, Michael De Loach grew up in the wine business: he started working in the vineyard at age 11 and in the cellar at 15. After college De Loach worked as Vice President, Sales and Marketing at fledgling De Loach Vineyards, and completed courses of study in winemaking at the Napa Valley School of Cellaring as well as the University of California at Davis Agricultural Extension.
De Loach learned the world of design, advertising, marketing and media during the 12 years he spent in that industry. During his three years at consumer goods design firm Glenn Martinez and Associates, he worked on branding, packaging, and advertising for top wine industry clients including Rodney Strong Vineyards, De Loach Vineyards, Parducci Winery, Glen Ellen, and Far Niente. Other clients included Crystal Geyser, Clorox and Anheuser-Busch.
De Loach was a partner and creative director for leading regional advertising agencies Omnicom/Zimmerman and BG Solutions, where he personally won over 100 American Advertising Awards (The ADDY Awards) for his work. Clients during his career included Comcast, Mitsubishi Motors, and Bethesda Healthcare Systems.
After his advertising days, De Loach served as president of De Loach Vineyards from 2001 to 2005, then for the next ten years as president of Hook & Ladder Winery until 2016. He is the owner of Michael De Loach Brands, a national wine sales management company. He has served on numerous industry boards and advisory committees, and provides financial support to many community organizations.
De Loach has appeared throughout the country on radio, television and speaking engagements, and has been written about in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Denver Business Journal, The Austin Chronicle, Philadelphia Magazine, The Wine Spectator, Wines and Spirits, Wines and Vines, and The Wine Enthusiast. He lives with his wife Lori in Healdsburg, California.
Christian grew up on a vineyard in western New York and has been enamored with the wine industry ever since. He graduated from Cornell University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a minor in Enology. He then moved to California where he spent the next eight years working for E&J Gallo Winery; the first four as a research enologist and the next four as a production microbiologist. Christian joined the BevZero team in late 2023 as the Product Development Manager.
Perry is Managing Director and Head of Wine, Beverage and Agriculture Middle Market M&A at BMO Capital Markets. Prior to joining BMO in 2023, Perry was Managing Director and Senior Banker, Wine & Beverage at Bank of the West, serving as lead sell-side banker on numerous current mandates (including 5 deals in exclusivity currently), and other successful sell-side deals including Spring Mountain Winery and A to Z Wine Works. He also originated several full banking relationships, for companies ranging from $5MM-$100MM EBITDA. Prior to 2016, Perry also worked at Wells Fargo Bank and Key Banc Capital Markets.
Perry holds an MBA from the University of California, an MA from Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Georgetown University. Perry is also a Board Member at Trentadue Winery.
Meghan Delzell brings a wealth of passion, expertise, and genuine hospitality to Sangiacomo Family Wines. Originally from New Hampshire, Meghan's journey into the wine industry began on the East Coast while studying Biochemistry at the University of New Hampshire. After a stint as a research scientist in Boston, she found her true calling in California’s wine and hospitality industry, making her home in Northern California since 2003.
Over the past twenty years, Meghan has held various roles, including restaurant and hotel manager, wine buyer, DTC sales manager, client services, and winery hospitality manager, gaining extensive experience with esteemed establishments like Cain Vineyard and Winery, Lynmar Estate, Ledson Hotel, Wine Spectrum and eCellar. At Sangiacomo Family Wines, Meghan spearheaded the national brand launch in 2018 and oversees marketing, e-commerce, business development, and direct sales. Her strategic approach and commitment to authentic storytelling and personalized outreach have significantly expanded the market, ensuring the Sangiacomo story resonates with consumers nationwide. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring California, hiking, backpacking, cooking, and promoting Sonoma as a premier destination.
Charlie brings over 10 years of on the ground experience in regenerative and organic agriculture. He has been the COO at a variety of farms on the central coast of CA, managing commercial blueberry production, diversified veggie operations, and hemp seed production. He is the co-founder of ReCommon, a climate impact startup that creates public goods infrastructure to support community-held lands across the globe, such as the Regenerative Community Land Trust (RCLT) model.
At Agrology, Charlie leads regenerative partnerships and business development. With real-time, continuous soil respiration and carbon flux monitoring, Agrology allows the soil to speak, facilitating a more robust dialogue between farmers and their soil microbiomes. This empowers farmers to tie their practices to real-world soil health outcomes, and optimize their regenerative programs within their unique context. When not thinking about plants or soil life, you are likely to find Charlie surfing, kayaking, or hiking in the mountains around his home in Santa Cruz, CA.
Cheryl Murphy Durzy is the CEO and founder of LibDib, a technology enabled wholesaler and services provider. Prior to starting the company in 2016, Cheryl managed wholesale sales for her family’s 80,000 case winery. She has a full understanding of the industry and issues regarding alcohol distribution in the United States. She is passionate about the beverage alcohol industry and works to evolve all three tiers, utilizing innovative technology and advanced AI. Cheryl is truly entrenched in the industry, having sat on several boards, including the Wine Institute's California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association, where she served as President for two years. In addition to a BA from the University of San Diego, she has taken courses and received certificates from the OIV Wine Marketing Program and the Court of Master Sommeliers. In December 2008, Cheryl took and passed with merit the Advanced Certificate level of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
Anne has a master’s of science and engineering degree in agricultural sciences from Montpellier, France. She previously worked as a researcher in France in the biofuels field and as an Oenologist in France and Washington State. From the Wine industry she joined the Fermentis team in 2017 to bring technical support to the Western part of the USA and Canada for all fermented beverages
Anne joined Fermentis in 2017 as Regional Sales Manager for Western North America. In her position she provides support to all beverage fermentations. Anne has a Master of Science in Green Chemistry and Sciences of Fermentation along with an Agriculture and Biosystem Engineering degree from Montpellier Supagro, France. She previously worked in France, India and Australia as a researcher for the production of biofuels and then as an Enologist in Wineries in Sancerre, France and WA, USA.
Mark Garaventa’s professional success, which spans more than three decades, began in his family business, before he moved on to manage national sales for a large corporation. He then transitioned into the wine business in 2007, joining Rack & Riddle when the company was still in its infancy.
An integral part of the executive team, Mark rose from the role of Vice President of Sales to General Manager, a role he embraces, meeting and learning about every employee. As a lifelong baseball player who still competes in Northern California leagues today, Mark is a natural team player, and like most committed athletes he recognizes the importance of every team member, as well as the collective power of the win.
A native of the North Bay Area, Mark earned his degree from St. Mary’s College in 1988. Initiatives in which Mark has been involved include the original move of Rack & Riddle to their main Healdsburg location in 2014; company acquisitions including production facilities in Alexander Valley, Geyserville, and Lodi; the development of multiple custom wine brands; and the vast evolution of producing primarily Méthode Champenoise, to adding state-of-the-art technologies, as well as multiple sparkling beverage production capabilities including Charmat and premium canning.
While Mark has been a member of the Rack & Riddle team, the company has experienced unprecedented growth. Through careful guidance and focused innovation, Rack & Riddle is now the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States. A hallmark is the level of quality and care for their customers, employees and wines that remains consistent with the day the company began.
As a Founder of RedChirp, Jennie is obsessed with helping businesses meet consumers’ newly expanded expectations for virtual interactions. Calling and emailing may have been enough before, but now 89% of consumers want to text with businesses. RedChirp makes business texting easy: compliance, web chat, payments, marketing campaigns, club communications, automation, and wine industry-specific integrations to tie it all together. A true nerd at heart, Jennie loves spreadsheets and a good data set to dig into, is a frequent speaker at business conferences, and is the co-author of two books. When not in the office, Jennie spends time cooking with her husband and chasing her preschool-aged son. Her most prized possession is their well-worn – and heavily stained – wine-tasting notebook.
Greg Gonzalez grew up in Oregon, splitting time between Eugene and Junction City where he worked on his family’s 10-acre Filbert farm (hazelnuts). From an early age, he excelled at soccer and eventually earned dual scholarships (academic and sports) to Southwestern Oregon Community College where he earned his associate in athletic training and later was recruited to California State University Monterey Bay to complete his collegiate soccer career. In 2009, he earned his BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences, with emphasis on Geographic Information Systems, Minor – Earth Systems, Sciences, Technology, and Policy.
Greg continued to pursue is passion for soccer playing in the National Premier Soccer League for 2 seasons with the Salinas Valley Samba. During this time Greg joined Scheid Vineyards located in Monterey County in 2009 as a harvest intern where he started implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping vineyard properties. Eight months later, he was promoted to Ranch Supervisor while also handling Geographic Information Sciences & Technologies implementing precision farming systems aimed at increase quality and efficiency. During his time with Scheid he helped transition the organization from a leading grape growing company to a full grape to glass organization working closely with the wine making team to develop branded good at all wine tiers including the development of low alcohol wines.
Greg has grown over 38 varieties of grapes and 21 clones of PN with many of the wines produced under his care scoring as high as 99 points (2021 Metz Rd CH). After spending 12 years with Scheid building streamlined agricultural technologies, advanced precision viticultural, mechanization, and program based viticultural programs, Greg finished his tenure with Scheid as the Director of Vineyard Operations managing over 4200 acres of wine grapes spanning all 5 growing regions of Monterey County. In March of 2021 Greg accepted an opportunity to lead the farming operations in Santa Barbara County for Foley Family Farms, a subsidiary company to Foley Family Wines. After two seasons with Foley, Coastal Vineyard Care Associated convinced him to make the move to the fast growing company to help transition and scale parts of their organization.
Aside from farming winegrapes, Greg holds various board positions with California Association of Winegrape Growers, The Vineyard Team, Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau, and the Foundation Board of California State University Monterey Bay. Greg also holds various certifications, Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP), Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist (CAIS), and Lean Six Sigma Black-Belt.
Greg’s industry involvement and expertise has also led to frequent invitations to speak and present his experiences at leading vineyard and winery events. Most notably the industries largest wine and grape event the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium. Greg is one of the leading experts in integrating agricultural technologies to achieve both higher operational efficiencies and increased grape quality. His perspective on the future of agriculture is highly valued and has built core industry relations between Agtech and the grower as well as Sacramento’s government officials.
Greg’s hobbies include playing and coaching soccer, carpentry, fantasy football, exercising, barbecuing, convertible wine tours in his 1965 GTO and spending time with his wife and his two young sons.
Juan holds a degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he discovered his passion for wine.
With over a decade of winemaking experience, from laboratory analysis, bottling quality control and winery supervision, Juan brings a level of first-hand production knowledge to Agrovin's sales department.
Born and raised in the Bordeaux area, Lora has a deep-rooted passion for wine that has shaped her career. She pursued studies in winemaking, viticulture, and wine business in the Loire Valley and abroad (South Africa, Portugal, Spain, and more), blending academic excellence with a love for travel and exploration.
With nearly a decade of experience in the wine industry, Lora has worked with renowned wineries, gaining valuable expertise. Before her current role, she was based in France at Lamothe Abiet, where she developed several innovative winemaking products, including alternatives to SO2, vegan fining agents, and other cutting-edge solutions.
Now a Product Manager for Enology at Bucher Vaslin North America, Lora focuses on research, technical development, and implementing winemaking solutions. Based in Napa and Sonoma, she supports winemakers by offering tailored technical advice and products.
Outside of her professional life, Lora enjoys making wine, surfing, and hiking in her free time.
Throughout her career, Sonyia has played a significant role in the wine industry, leading sales and marketing efforts for a variety of esteemed organizations. Her extensive experience includes driving initiatives for Constellation Wines, Terlato Wine Group, and Visit Napa Valley. Beyond her roles in these companies, Sonyia has also operated her own consulting business, developing strategies for clients such as Iron Horse, Bonny Doon, Highway 12, VinoPro, and many others.
Sonyia joined the team at Trinitas Cellars as the General Manager in June of 2019, bringing with her over two decades of experience in wine sale. Sonyia is known as a prime thought leader and amplifier in identifying market trends, innovative approaches in the wine industry which include wine sales programs and consumer targeting, acquisition and retention. Her programs are supported by effective and thorough marketing tactics to support long-term growth and profitability for the company and brand’s essential messaging.
Polly Hammond is a well known figure in the world of wine marketing. Speaker, podcaster, advisor, and founder of the award-winning digital marketing agency 5forests, she splits her time between Barcelona, Auckland, and Napa, where she works with some of the world's largest (and smallest!) wine producers.
She’s hosted over 100 podcasts on the subject of wine business, including the 2024 YouTube series Headtraining, the 2022 series Uncorked for the Italian Wine Podcast, and the 2020 series The Real Business of Wine with Robert Joseph. She's a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned degrees in International Relations and French. Those studies led to a deep and abiding love affair with Behavioural Economics, and her work is based on insights into all the crazy and irrational reasons consumers engage with brands.
(Oh, and beware, she’s mad about pop culture and good stories, so any presentation is sure to have at least one Star Wars reference thrown in!)
Jessica Hart, MBA is a seasoned HR leader with extensive experience in the beverage industry, including prominent roles with Target, The Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Heineken, prior to her entrepreneurial adventure as the founder of Hart Consulting. With a talent for simplifying complex HR issues, she has successfully navigated employee relations across nearly all 50 states. Jessica specializes in supporting wineries and breweries across the country, where employees wear multiple hats and work across multiple locations and/or cost centers. Recognized for her practical approach to risk mitigation and expertise in HR trends, Jessica is a sought-after resource in the beverage industry. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys football in the fall, traveling with her family, and watching Paw Patrol with her toddler on weekends.
As a Sonoma County native, Kim is lucky to consider excellent wines, delicious food, and idyllic views as a way of life. She’s worked in the wine industry in a variety of capacities as a DTC leader for the past 16 years, joining the Rombauer team in August 2022 as their Wine Club Manager. Kim has been instrumental in growing Rombauer’s text messaging program, leading its segmentation strategy, and partnering with marketing to roll out omni channel messages. Recognizing text’s impact on the broader business, she became the RedChirp expert in residence and serves as a resource to the team. When not in the office, Kim spends a lot of her time with her daughter traveling for indoor and outdoor volleyball.
As General Manager of Solos Technologies USA, Matt is committed to advancing the wine industry’s burgeoning low and no-alcohol sector, blending cutting-edge quality with his exceptional passion and enthusiasm.
With over two decades of winemaking experience, Matt offers a valuable perspective to help clients create innovative products that honor the essence of the vineyard and respect the vision of the vintner. Previously, Matt served as General Manager and Director of Operations at BevZero Services US and held roles as Director of Winemaking and Winemaker for several esteemed estates in California's North Coast region.
His expertise includes building and launching large wine making facilities, consulting on vineyard management, and refining wine profiles, with a particular focus on dealcoholization technology and product development.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys cycling, yoga, attending concerts, and exploring the vibrant food culture of California’s Bay Area. He resides in Healdsburg, CA with his fiancée Marissa, seven-year-old daughter, Charlotte, and their newest addition, baby Evelyn.
Bio Coming Soon.
Christian comes from a multi – generation Pear farming background in Lake County, California. He began his farming career at the age of 4, driving tractor during frost season with his father and grandfather setting smudge pots to protect the trees from frost damage.
By the age of 16, Christian was managing multiple small pear packing sheds during the summer while in high school. After finishing high school, Christian attended Fresno State where he studied Viticulture and Tree Fruits earning his degree in 2000.
After graduating Fresno State, Christian went to work for Welch Vineyard Management in Mendocino Co. He worked his way up and was promoted to Director of Vineyard Operations in Lake County overseeing 1500 acres.
In 2014, Christian went to work for Shannon Ranches, Inc. in Lake County as Winery Relations / Viticulturist. In 2019, Christian was promoted to Vice President overseeing all farming operations covering 4500 acres in 6 Northern California Counties.
Christian was welcomed to Team Turrentine in 2021!
Adam LaZarre grew up near the Finger Lakes in upstate New York, with a cellar his father filled with Classified Growth Bordeaux. After finishing his service in the U.S. Navy, he enrolled in Fresno State’s Department of Viticulture and Enology to become a winemaker. By his final year at Fresno State in 1995, he was already holding down a full-time associate winemaker job at Jekel Vineyards in Monterey. A few years later, Hahn Estates hired him as their winemaking Vice President. Presently, Adam resides in Paso Robles, where his efforts are focused on creating highly acclaimed wines for Wine Hooligans as the Director of Winemaking.
Justin Leigon became a partner at Piña Vineyard Management in 2022 after several years acting as Head Viticulturist. A proud husband and father of three, the family-founded company has been a perfect fit for his skills and aspirations. Currently, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of high-end winegrape farming and is involved in vineyard development with Pina. After beginning his career in wine production, Leigon attended the University of California, Davis where he received his B.S. in Viticulture and Enology. In 2006, Leigon spent time abroad in Australia learning about global wine styles. Upon returning, he honed his skills in cellars around the Napa Valley. He is passionate about working with both winemaking and vineyard teams to produce ultra-premium quality wines by using minimal inputs and targeting key aspects of winegrape development. Leigon is involved in community outreach and is an advocate for ag education.
Jeremy is an experienced real estate and business transactional attorney with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, business formation, land use, and alcoholic beverage compliance. In that role, he has counseled companies in their formation, growth, and reorganization, including the sale of their companies and the acquisition of other companies. He has negotiated, drafted, and closed business and real estate transactions. Jeremy has guided companies through the gauntlet of regulations imposed by city, county, state, and federal bureaucracies. He also advises companies and individuals on the sale, purchase, and use of real estate including easements, leases, and development agreements. He routinely interacts with government agencies and facilitates public-private partnerships.
Kelly serves as the Director of DTC Marketing and eCommerce at Harney Lane Vineyards in the heart of Lodi Wine Country. As a people-focused and metric-driven wine marketer, he’s obsessed with the customer’s journey from first sip to lifelong membership. Before joining the team in Lodi, Kelly led marketing strategy for wine and CPG brands with leading agencies across Central California.
David Mendoza has more than 25 years of experience in opening new markets, national and international sales in oenology, and business creation and management, He is currently focused on the international expansion of wine companies in markets such as the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Dave Minnick is the founder of CaminoData, a Napa-based software company specializing in depletions, target accounts, and market intelligence for wine and spirits wholesale teams. Before starting CaminoData, Dave served as President of Purity Organic Juices in San Francisco. A proud Michigan native and Princeton University alumnus, Dave combines his expertise in software and industry experience to drive innovation in the beverage sector.
As the manager of PickTrace’s Customer Success and Support teams, Kevin Morales partners with growers of all specialty crops to digitize labor tracking and management. With tightening regulations and a smaller labor pool, more and more growers are leaning on PickTrace’s platform to hire, track, and pay employees in full regulatory compliance. Kevin’s background in coffee, cocoa, and sugar supply chain management lead him to joining PickTrace in 2021, where he’s helped growers and contractors manage their crews and compliance risk ever since. You can find Kevin in the Bay Area, most likely working on his backyard orchard and trying to instill in his 9 month old the love for growing your own food and drink.
Jim began his wine career in the Finger Lakes after graduating from Cornell University. He followed his passion for wine west where he held winemaking positions with some of Napa’s biggest and most luxurious brands for over 14 years. Now with the ATP group, he assists fellow winemakers to find innovative and customized solutions to processing obstacles. Jim lives in Napa and spends much of his free time sailing with his wife.
Hillary Sjolund started her career in wine at UC Davisin 1998, where she fell in love with the culture of wine. She began an internship at Pine Ridge Winery in Napa, CA in the fall of 2000, completing three vintages with the winery as a lab technician. After graduation, Hillary worked a harvest abroad in Chile, before returning to Pine Ridge for three more vintages as Assistant Winemaker.
In 2006, Hillary relocated to Washington to take the position of head winemaker of DiStefano Winery in Woodinville, WA. Under her winemaking leadership, Wine Spectator awarded multiple 90+ scores to the winery in addition to being named Wine Press Northwest’s ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008.
Soon after, Hillary became Associate Winemaker under the wing of Washington icon Charlie Hoppes at his Wine Boss custom crush facility in Richland, WA 2011. This move allowed her to open her own commercial wine laboratory Enomama and launch her own label Sonoris Wines. With the lab, Hillary provided technical and analytical information to winemakers and vineyard managers. In 2015, Vicard Generation 7 tapped Hillary as a technical consultant, where she worked with winemakers to craft wines from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. She also spent five years as an educator, teaching online wine chemistry and intermediate winemaking courses across the country, and currently serves as an instructor for the UC Davis online wine certificate program.
Hillary joined the Aperture winemaking team as Associate Winemaker in 2019, the same year the Aperture Estate’s state of the art winemaking facility opened for its inaugural vintage. In early 2024, she became the Director of Winemaking increasing her responsibilities in shaping the direction of both Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards, as they continue their international growth. Through her varied collection of roles in the industry, Hillary is continually reminded that winemaking intricately unites her passion for science with the creativity of art. Her experiences have allowed her to influence a variety of new winemakers and make impactful contributions to established winemakers in a unique way.
Margaret serves as the Head of Support at Commerce7, where she has played a pivotal role for over three years. With a deep passion for enhancing customer experience, Margaret leads her team in delivering world-class support to wineries using Commerce7’s platform, ensuring seamless interactions for both businesses and end consumers. Her expertise in the Commerce7 product, combined with her commitment to operational excellence, has positioned her as a trusted partner to clients, consistently driving success through personalized and innovative solutions
Zane Stevens is a seasoned accounting professional with over 15 years of experience, specializing in the wine industry for more than 10 years. As the founder of Protea Financial, an accounting business founded in March 2014, he helps wineries and wine businesses optimize their financial operations. Zane holds a Post Graduate Degree in Accounting and is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa). His career includes roles at large private companies and 4 years at a Big 4 accounting firm, KPMG, where he gained extensive experience across various sectors including manufacturing and food and beverage. Zane is also a passionate advocate for knowledge sharing, hosting two podcasts, Protea Weekly and Protea Conversations. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a dedicated husband, father, and soccer coach. Zane was recognized as a North Bay Business Journal 40 under 40 in 2024.
Ching Sun is a Research and Development Enologist at Delicato Family Wines. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of California, Davis, focusing on sensory science and research. In her role, she collaborates with winemakers, viticulturists, and other professionals, addressing various wine-growing projects/trials. In her free time, Ching enjoys trying new restaurants and playing pickleball.
As a 29-year veteran at John Deere Company, Sean is a recognized leader in the Ag & Turf Industry. He has a wide range of both Agricultural and Consumer experience with several different product lines and businesses within John Deere. Upon announcement of the joint venture with GUSS Automation, LLC., Sean was asked to lead the business integration efforts between the two companies. Delivering leading edge technical solutions for High Value Crop (HVC) customers while expanding the global retail footprint via the John Deere dealer channel ensure that John Deere and GUSS will be positioned to capitalize on the ever-changing demands of HVC industry. Sean was also instrumental in bringing John Deere together with Sonoma County Winegrowers beginning with the Farm of the Future Summit. That effort has since grown into a formal collaboration with 6 wine-grape growers in Sonoma County.
Sean holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as an MBA from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Liz Thach, MW is the President of the Wine Market Council, a non-profit firm that provides research on U.S. wine consumer purchasing habits, attitudes and trends. She also works as a Professor, Wine Writer and Consultant based in Napa and Sonoma, California. She is an award-winning author and educator, specializing in wine business strategy, marketing, leadership/executive development, and wine lifestyle.
Liz is considered to be one of the nation’s leading wine experts, and has visited most of the major wine regions of the world and over 75 countries. She teaches wine classes at Stanford Continuing Education, Burgundy School of Business, and Sonoma State University, and has published over 300 articles and 9 books, including Call of the Vine, Best Practices in Global Wine Tourism and Wine Marketing & Sales. She frequently publishes in Forbes, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Spectator, and The Somm Journal, amongst others. In addition, she serves as a wine judge and on several non-profit boards.
A fifth generation Californian, Liz finished her Ph.D. at Texas A&M and now lives on Sonoma Mountain. Liz obtained the distinction of Master of Wine (MW) in May of 2011, becoming the first female MW from California.
Caine Thompson has worked as Head of Sustainability for O’Neill Vintners & Distillers since 2020. His industry leadership in sustainable winegrowing and operations began in his native New Zealand where he was named New Zealand’s Young Viticulturist of The Year in 2009. Since joining O’Neill, Thompson supported the Regenerative Viticulture Case Study beginning in 2020, achieved a win for the Wine Institute’s Green Medal Leader Award in 2021 and spearheaded efforts for O’Neill to become a Certified B Corporation in 2022, in addition to TRUE Zero Waste certified. Thompson was recognized as one of Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 in 2023 for his leadership in regenerative farming efforts. He continues to support the wine community through board committee service with Sustainable Wine Roundtable, The Organic Trade Association (Vice Chairman), Wine Institute, California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo (Viticulture & Wine School), the CAB Collective (Chair of Viticulture & Wine Research), and now, the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (Trustee).
With over 40 years of experience in the wine industry, ranging from on-premise and off-premise sales to vineyard owner, Paul has been leveraging his expertise for the clients of Tincknell & Tincknell, Wine Sales and Marketing Consultants, since 1997. His firm has assisted hundreds of wineries and businesses across the United States and around the globe, from Sonoma County to China. Prior to Tincknell & Tincknell, Paul began his career at Chateau Montelena as Assistant to the Director of Sales and Marketing, where he facilitated a distributor market support program. Later, at Cuvaison Winery, he served as Senior Marketing and Direct Sales Manager, supporting both national and export distribution. Currently, Paul applies his extensive experience for his clients by drafting business and marketing plans, preparing distribution projections and goals, and implementing distribution strategies, including export.
Al graduated from U of A with a degree in Livestock nutrition and soils. After college he was assistant manager and nutritionist for a very large-scale feedlot and farming operation in southern Arizona and California. In the mid 80’s he relocated to that Paso Robles area where he farmed Alfalfa, Grain Hay, Cereal crops and raised livestock. When the planting boom started in the mid 90’s Al transitioned to the wine industry, taking a job with Southcorp Wine Estates as development supervisor and then promoted to assistant manager, Al oversaw all the development on the 650-acre Camatta Hills Ranch and Mill Road Vineyards on the Central Coast and trained extensively in Australian Viticulture. These were Southcorp’s first US holdings and today is Treasury Wine Estates. In 2001 Al was hired by Clos Du Val wine company as Director of Viticulture Napa overseeing 500 acres in Staggs Leap, Carneros, Rutherford and Oakville where he stayed for the next 15 years. In 2015 Al took a position with Foley Family Wines as Vineyard Operations Manager. In 2018 Al was tasked to form a separate sister Farming Company. Where he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Farming and overseeing all aspects of the business and the acquisitions of about 45 additional Vineyard properties growing the total to about 67 vineyards in 10 California counties, Oregon and Washington. Producing about 25K tons annually. Al also implemented the planting of 130-acre avocados on two Santa Barbara County properties.
In July of 2024 Al took on a position with Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, a Santa Barbara based vineyard management company to start up a division on the North Coast.
Al awarded Agriculturist of the Year in 2022 by the Napa County Farm Bureau. And awarded a conservation award in 2001 by the Salina-Las Tables RCD for habitat and river restoration projects.
Al has also served on the Central Coast Vineyard Team board for 4 years, Napa County Pest and Disease Control board 8 years. Napa Valley Expo President 11 years. Napa County Farm Bureau past president and 14-year board member. And the Napa County Health and Human Services board for 7 years.
Jennifer is an industry professional with more than 25 years of experience, including her time with WISE. She began her career in the wine industry working for Lesley Berglund (Co-Founder & Chairman of WISE) at Ambrosia Wine Catalogue/The Winetasting Network shortly after completing her BA in English Literature. In her role as The Glue, Jennifer oversees all day-to-day operations of WISE which includes spearheading the WISE Mystery Shopping Program (now over 6,000 shops), account management, moderating WISE leadership forums called Cabinet and coordinating schedules/coaches/attendees/winery partners for a robust class schedule of 30+ courses and onsite training programs.
In Jennifer’s free time, she can be found with her nose buried in her Kindle or puttering in her yard. She also loves to travel, spending time with her family and friends across the globe.
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