https://www.batonnageforum.com/panelists-2018 daily 0.75 2018-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526518129895-KEAEHS94LF2MYM612SWO/Wine1W1.jpg Panelists - Dr. Linda Bisson, professor emeritus and geneticist Dr. Linda Bisson is a professor emeritus and geneticist in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis; she taught wine production, the biology of yeast, and graduate courses in genetics since 1985 and served as Chair of the department from 1991 to 1996. She co-chairs the Policy and Practices Committee of the ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant to build and sustain a diverse community of innovative (especially women) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholars at UC Davis. She served for several years on the CAP Oversight and Appellate Committees, chairing both. In addition to her academic roles, she was the Science Editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture for 15 years and an editor for other scientific journals as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526518129895-KEAEHS94LF2MYM612SWO/Wine1W1.jpg Panelists - Dr. Linda Bisson, professor emeritus and geneticist Dr. Linda Bisson is a professor emeritus and geneticist in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis; she taught wine production, the biology of yeast, and graduate courses in genetics since 1985 and served as Chair of the department from 1991 to 1996. She co-chairs the Policy and Practices Committee of the ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant to build and sustain a diverse community of innovative (especially women) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholars at UC Davis. She served for several years on the CAP Oversight and Appellate Committees, chairing both. In addition to her academic roles, she was the Science Editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture for 15 years and an editor for other scientific journals as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517945569-EQRVSMRV0P8B7XLSM1I5/shelley+lindgren.jpg Panelists - Shelley Lindgren, wine director & co-owner Shelley Lindgren is the Wine Director/Co-Owner at A16, SPQR & A16 Rockridge Restaurants in the Bay Area. Her reputation for seeking out Italian wines made with lesser-known grapes has earned her recognition as a wine pioneer. As a member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier, Lindgren stays involved with San Francisco’s food community. She has taught at the Culinary Institute of America, and is a regular instructor at Tante Marie. Lindgren’s first book, A16 Food + Wine, was awarded Cookbook of the Year and First Book/The Julia Child Award at the prestigious 2009 IACP Cookbook Awards. She has been named Best New Sommelier from Wine & Spirits, Best Wine Director in San Francisco Magazine, has been awarded for Best Wine Service in 2015 by the James Beard Foundation, and has received countless other awards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526518997242-CNWZ3ISEIT39VMHDNBTA/Screen+Shot+2018-05-16+at+10.46.16+AM.png Panelists - Megan Glaab, winemaker Megan’s love and enthusiasm for wine led her to the University of Adelaide in Australia, where she obtained a B.S. in Enology. After graduating, Megan continued her winemaking education by working at several wineries, including Torbreck, Peay Vineyards, Marcassin, and Pisoni. She is now the winemaker and co-owner of Ryme Cellars and UPHOLD wines, along with her husband Ryan Glaab. Located in Forestville, CA, they produce Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, and two versions of Vermentino. Megan also started a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir project, Lost and Found Wine, with Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth and the Bartolomei Family of Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant. Megan and Ryan live in Healdsburg and are the proud parents of two children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526518808778-EEVG0E7DUTKTVKX1BAMN/13932952_276792689356586_6597260972047638037_n.jpg Panelists - Alvetta Embry, sales representative & account manager Alvetta grew up in Atlanta and graduated with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Georgia Southern University. Over the years, she fell more in love with wine as her knowledge expanded and palate developed. In the fall of 2014, she decided to dedicate her career to the wine business and headed to California to be close to some of the best wine regions in the world. She currently hosts a variety of positions in the industry from wine sales rep to private winery tour guide to sommelier and consultant. She lives in Oakland with her dogs who never let her drink alone! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517930034-22ZBKDOK7Q610PMWDHW8/debbie+zach.png Panelists - Debbie Zachareas, retailer & judge Debbie Zachareas is a highly regarded wine expert, international judge, and lecturer. Her passion is on display at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Napa’s Oxbow Wine & Cheese Merchant, where she is both owner and managing partner. Over her career, she has helped shape San Francisco’s wine culture through innovative wine programs, emphasizing small-production and sustainably farmed wines. She has developed wine programs at bacar, Ashbury Market, and EOS. Her expertise has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Food & Wine and Saveur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1528855389219-4IW0GXQLF53O0D9EIYXR/image.png Panelists - Debby Zygielbaum, farm & vineyard consultant Debby Zygielbaum is a farm and vineyard consultant with over two decades of experience farming for regenerative organics and biodynamics, with an extensive background in premium organic wine grapes. She’s an experienced shepherd, has managed olive, fruit, and truffle (yes, truffle!) orchards, and designed and installed edible landscapes as well as hedgerows. She’s also a naturalist with a background in California native plants and horticulture. She copyedits and makes websites in her free time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517975240-E8CRMOPAELC650YIBDBQ/OneMarket_020_preview-400x315.jpeg Panelists - Tonya Pitts, sommelier & wine director Tonya Pitts has been in the food and beverage industry for over 20 years. Her career in San Francisco began with Chef Judy Rodgers at Zuni Cafe and Chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars Restaurant as a server. After three years, Tonya was running the wine program for Loretta Keller at Bizou Restaurant, where she realized her true passion for wine. Today, she is the Wine Director at San Francisco’s One Market. Tonya has worked in many notable houses in the bay area and has been featured in Wine & Spirits Magazine, Tasting Panel, and numerous news and industry publications. She is also a judge for the San Francisco International Wine Competition and is a tasting panelist for Wine & Spirits Magazine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517908259-VOFHOBG267PALIAZZ1Q4/Nadia-Fleuve.png Panelists - Nadia Dmytriw, importer and distributor Nadia is a native San Franciscan who has been working in the wine industry since 2001. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Language Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz and has also completed coursework at the University of Oenology in Bordeaux. Her passion for foreign languages, cultures, teaching, and wine led her to work in various aspects of the wine trade in France and Russia before returning to her native S.F. Bay Area. Nadia worked her up to Managing Partner in her previous company Joli Vin Imports and she spent nearly a decade representing many of the growers with whom she currently works. In 2017 Nadia founded her own company, Floraison Selections, a grower-driven wine importer and distributor representing a select group of hands-on, independent, minimal-interventionist growers who make wine with a true sense of place and origin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517802306-9KYLIM2S9D08N4Y2U8GE/deb-wong.jpg Panelists - Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, journalist & presenter Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, is an opinion-leading communicator, journalist and author who specializes in the wine and spirits industries. She is the Global Wine Editor for The Tasting Panel, SOMM Journal and Clever Root magazines; the co-author of “1000 Great Everyday Wines;” and a contributor to industry trade publications including the former Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine, Spirited and Drinks Business which you will find posted to her archive site www.deborahparkerwong.com. In addition to her work as a journalist, Deborah is an adjunct professor in the wine studies program at Santa Rosa Junior College and offers private certification courses as an approved program provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1525984795251-DZ4KRM4P5RSDYYFE4VJ7/diana.jpg Panelists - Diana Snowden Seysses, winemaker Diana graduated from the Viticulture & Enology program at UC Davis in 2001, then worked in both California and French cellars with Robert Mondavi Winery, Mumm Napa, the Araujo Estate, Château La Fleur de Boüard, Domaine Leflaive and Ramey Wine Cellars. By 2003, Diana had become enologist at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and consultant at Domaine de Triennes in Provence; in 2005 she became winemaker at Snowden Vineyards. Photo courtesy of Ashes & Diamonds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526519445954-M2A0I0OBMJ7K2288U3AT/unnamed-3.jpg Panelists - Jill Klein Matthiasson, vintner Jill Klein Matthiasson started making wine with her husband, Steve, in their backyard a month after they started dating. Jill and Steve have since become internationally acclaimed vintners, with their wines being featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Bon Appétit magazine, In-Style, Decanter, Food & Wine, and The Wine Spectator, to name a few. When Jill isn’t managing the family wine business, she is picking and selling fresh fruit from her orchards, preserving the fruits and vegetables that she grows in her garden, and raising her two amazing sons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517957502-I9OC3CWZK1JVKZFY2T8J/molly+madden.jpg Panelists - Molly Madden, ceo & founder CEO and Founder of RedHen Collective, Molly Madden is a passionate businesswoman and community organizer with over 10 years experience in wine importing and distribution across the US and abroad. After working to establish an ambitious wine importer in New York, Molly moved to the Bay Area to develop a new business model that embodies feminist values. Over the past three years, she has worked with a talented team of cooperative business advisors and wine industry specialists to launch RedHen Collective and build the foundation for a new wine economy, with a passion for social impact. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526520661346-9LV2SELC5NLDF8AUB7H0/RAfQVcGd_400x400.jpg Panelists - Esther Mobley, wine writer Esther Mobley joined The San Francisco Chronicle in 2015 as its wine, beer and spirits writer. Previously she was an assistant editor at Wine Spectator magazine in New York, and before that an intern for Wine Enthusiast magazine. Esther has worked two harvest seasons, at Round Pond Estate in Napa Valley and Bodega Rolland in Mendoza, Argentina, as well as in wine retail and fine dining in her hometown of Boston. She studied English literature at Smith College. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517652310-PG4KE3A71DOGU3MIP4SI/diana.jpg Panelists - Diana Snowden Seysses, winemaker Diana graduated from the Viticulture & Enology program at UC Davis in 2001, then worked in both California and French cellars with Robert Mondavi Winery, Mumm Napa, the Araujo Estate, Château La Fleur de Boüard, Domaine Leflaive and Ramey Wine Cellars. By 2003, Diana had become enologist at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and consultant at Domaine de Triennes in Provence; in 2005 she became winemaker at Snowden Vineyards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517573266-BRO6RWE2ZVUTFKBTU5Q3/diana.jpg Panelists - Diana Snowden Seysses, winemaker Diana graduated from the Viticulture & Enology program at UC Davis in 2001, then worked in both California and French cellars with Robert Mondavi Winery, Mumm Napa, the Araujo Estate, Château La Fleur de Boüard, Domaine Leflaive and Ramey Wine Cellars. By 2003, Diana had become enologist at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and consultant at Domaine de Triennes in Provence; in 2005 she became winemaker at Snowden Vineyards. Photo courtesy of Ashes & Diamonds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517599845-G5RG0LKHW6U0GEY7WNB3/diana.jpg Panelists - Diana Snowden Seysses, winemaker Diana graduated from the Viticulture & Enology program at UC Davis in 2001, then worked in both California and French cellars with Robert Mondavi Winery, Mumm Napa, the Araujo Estate, Château La Fleur de Boüard, Domaine Leflaive and Ramey Wine Cellars. By 2003, Diana had become enologist at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and consultant at Domaine de Triennes in Provence; in 2005 she became winemaker at Snowden Vineyards. Photo courtesy of Ashes & Diamonds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1528479610568-0VBBX29QZP3MTHIVSWN3/val+masten.jpg Panelists - Valerie Masten Bonné, vice president for national sales Valerie Masten Bonné is the vice president for national sales at Skurnik Wines & Spirits, and one of the country’s foremost authorities on national fine-wine sales. Over the past seven years, she has built a team to sell the critically acclaimed Terry Theise wines in nearly all 50 states, part of an extensive national portfolio that includes everything from top Burgundy to the famed wines of Paul Jaboulet Aîné. That has given her a deep working knowledge of wine sales at every level, from Michelin-starred restaurants to major national retailers and airlines—skills built on her years as a top fine-wine saleswoman in Atlanta during that city’s culinary boom years. She also works with distributor partners to train wine professionals and sommeliers in markets across the country, providing detailed education on topics like grower Champagne and German wine law. She lives in New York City with her husband, Jon, and their cats, Souris and Baby Boo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526604263389-6VW0VWW5WOQWQMPMAXTM/LoamBaby_Page1sample+%282%29.jpg Panelists - R.H. Drexel, writer R.H. Drexel is the pen name for a wine business insider who has worked in nearly every sector of the wine industry for the last 30 years. In 2012, Drexel published the first issue of Loam Baby, her wine culture zine, which garnered favorable reviews from Los Angeles Times, Punch Magazine, Imbibe, Wine & Spirits, Food & Wine and The Wine Spectator, among others, for its irreverent cartoons, in-depth articles, and anachronistic approach to wine journalism. Drexel continues to publish Loam Baby, and is also freelance writer, in addition to being a regular contributor to The Wine Advocate and JebDunnuck.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529693093072-9B1IORO12Q6S4V13E0GK/srussell_photo_Feb2014.jpg Panelists - Suzann Russell, managing director Suzann oversees a portfolio of primarily Napa county wineries and vineyards in her role as Managing Director in Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division, providing customized commercial loans and treasury management services for clients ranging from small family operated wineries to larger enterprises producing over 750,000 cases annually. Suzann joined Silicon Valley Bank in 2000 as a credit analyst and worked through the lending ranks to her current role. She spent the first three years of her banking career at SVB’s headquarters in Santa Clara as a commercial lender for software companies, then switched her focus to wine lending and relocated to SVB’s St. Helena office in 2004. Suzann is an active member of the Napa/Sonoma chapter of Women for Winesense. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She lives in Napa with her husband and two young daughters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529693241606-PV1DZ1DCE2AMR0IJ6UQA/IMG_20180622_100956-2.jpg Panelists - Dr. Malcolm Hobbs, research associate In 2004 Malcolm gained a PhD in Psychology from the University of Southampton in the UK. Since then he has been engaged in a variety of research projects. In 2015 he joined the UC Cooperative Extension under Viticulture Advisor Monica Cooper and works on projects that include looking at gender diversity, team dynamics, sexual harassment, and job satisfaction in vineyard crews. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529771245186-IV45TVS8POOPX5DZ7SJU/Jena-Domingue-VP-Sales-WineDirect.jpg Panelists - Jena Domingue, vice president of global sales A San Francisco Bay Area native with over 20 years’ experience in sales, Jena Domingue leads the sales team of WineDirect, which helps wineries sell directly to consumers in the way that works best for them, providing clients with end-to-end sales solutions—from e-commerce to fulfillment—as well as educational materials designed to help them grow. With a passion for wine, especially sparkling, Jena brings best practices to direct-to-consumer sales. Jena loves sports and was a professional cheerleader for Oakland Raiders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529890513347-39X79WYM0J7UIQEOPWU9/CathyHtighter.jpg Panelists - Cathy Huyghe, journalist and CEO Cathy Huyghe is the co-founder and CEO of Enolytics, a big data company for the wine industry, whose clients include Frescobaldi, Champagne Bollinger and Freixenet USA. She is a journalist for Forbes (on wine) and Inc (on entrepreneurship), and author of the award-winning book, Hungry for Wine: Seeing the World through the Lens of a Wine Glass. In addition, she co-authors the 30-day practice and weekly newsletters at A Balanced Glass, founded by Rebecca Hopkins, which creates awareness around healthy balance for professionals in the beverage alcohol industry. She is also the founder of Harvard Alumni in Wine and Food. Her current areas of interest are women in wine, compassion, and the challenges women face particularly around confidence and financial abundance. https://www.batonnageforum.com/2018-tasting daily 0.75 2024-03-26 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/t/66023e2b9154a32f34ecec06/1528828440860/ 2018 Tasting https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/5b20119570a6ad4b1e5107d0/5b20121870a6ad4b1e512a97/1528828440860/ 2018 Tasting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529255510593-133N58QAWWONI36ND2QC/5afc6e811ae6cf89818cb126.png 2018 Tasting - RYME CELLARS Ryme is a collaboration of husband and wife with old world sensibilities as well as admiration for California’s terroir and sunny disposition. Ryan and Megan Glaab’s portfolio of wines has grown gradually and organically since 2007, beginning with a single ton of Aglianico. The varieties may be rare or unusual but none of them are a mere curiosity for us. Rather, they represent wines that we love, drink often, and truly believe in the potential for success in their chosen sites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529255821834-UZ6H5LCVBIRSY7EFK6IO/Sam+Sheehan1+%281%29.jpeg 2018 Tasting - POE WINES Samantha Sheehan founded POE in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted in Burgundy and Champagne. The goal is not to replicate Burgundy, but rather create alluring, vineyard specific, age-worthy wines revealing the beautiful terroir of California. There is minimal intervention, judicious use of sulfur, and never any additives. POE produces traditional Champagne method sparkling wines, rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a nouveau from Pinot Noir. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529258369200-9F3BTXY22AXL2M27XZ0N/Martha+Stoumen2.jpg 2018 Tasting - MARTHA STOUMEN Martha Stoumen Wines was founded upon the desire to recapture a farming and winemaking culture that has all but faded away: a winemaking culture of patience. For my wines I lease and farm around half of the vineyards myself. The other half are farmed by multi-generation farmers who understand their land, and their family's land, far better than I ever will, and who farm with my same philosophies in mind. In the cellar I use a minimalist winemaking approach. Above all, I strive to make wines that are delicious, joyful, and truly representative of California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529255414212-C0VCIBSGDMP4716F2A0S/5afc6e811ae6cf89818cb126.png 2018 Tasting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293007154-2WR83CF1D0A4S3K630F2/J+Reichardt2.png 2018 Tasting - RAFT WINES Raft wines started in 2016 from a feeling of joy—joy of the land, of the food and wine we can produce, and of the joy we have when we share around the table. The winemaking bug bit in the spring of 2011, and over the next few years, I completed six additional harvests around the world. Harvest number eight brought new meaning, as I get to craft a wine of my own, to share with my friends, family, and community. Since 1901, my family has been in the food industry of California, most specifically raising ducks at Liberty Duck for restaurants in the Bay Area. In the most literal sense of the word, a raft is a dense flock of swimming birds, just like a duck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293226294-3JGZMSLD7HSKRRJHNA5G/Vineyards_0087-HiRez-crop.jpg 2018 Tasting - DONKEY & GOAT Donkey & Goat Winery is owned and operated by Jared & Tracey Brandt in Berkeley, California. Our wines are made from sustainably (or more) farmed vineyards in the Sierra Nevada, Mendocino and Napa. In the cellar nothing is removed and nothing is added save minimal effective sulphur—we use as little as possible, and our levels going into bottle fall within the predominant guideline for natural wines in Europe. Our wines are bottled without stabilization, fining or filtration. We have made our wines in this manner since we created Donkey & Goat in 2004 and will continue to do so until we stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293270409-ZJLXG0MIEPB1KTSNZUZI/INCONNU.jpg 2018 Tasting - INCONNU WINE INCONNU is a one-woman project with great dedication to making low intervention wines from ethically farmed grapes. These wines are meant to be enjoyed every day — not just on special occasions. We are inspired by the French tradition of vin de soif, or "wine of thirst." Our wines are pleasurable and light, but still express great care and devotion to craft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293320769-7QUMJK6UV2PKBI6ETCI6/Megan+Bell1.jpeg 2018 Tasting - MARGINS WINE Margins Wine is a small winemaking project of Megan Bell, a winemaker living and working in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We produce low-intervention wines using grapes from underrepresented regions, vineyards, and varietals. We are part of the growing movement in California to make wines from organically farmed vineyards using little to no additives during the winemaking process, thereby showcasing the vineyards the grapes came from. Margins draws attention to vineyards and varietals throughout northern and central California that find themselves on the margins without the recognition they deserve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293380477-YE4FO2D9DH2F6GMJVR1R/AboutMe.jpg 2018 Tasting - TESSIER WINERY Kristie Tacey, winemaker and founder of Tessier Winery, is a scientist turned winemaker. A former published research scientist who studied protein pathways, Kristie eventually came to realize that winemaking was her true calling and started Tessier in 2009. Tessier is the result of Kristie’s passion for the art and science of winemaking. She began handcrafting small lots of Pinot Noir and has added Grenache, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir and Mourvedre. Sustainability is a priority — not only with the vineyards’ farming practices, but also by having long-term relationships with her growers and customers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293426736-ODPU0065BJJUQO28R3VI/5b0efe9b758d46ca3928d999+%283%29.jpeg 2018 Tasting - ONWARD Onward Wines are single-vineyard, site-driven, expressions of the vineyard sites that are very special to winemaker Faith Armstrong Foster. She is a true believer in personal connection and there is a story behind each vineyard site and how it came to be part of her portfolio. In these stories you will learn more about the people behind these vineyards. When it comes to vineyards, it is a combination of her connection with the vines themselves and her connection with those that tend them. For Faith, the growers hands are most definitely part of the terroir. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293483833-LUBT3TNL1CHBNC8G2IYH/Laura+Catena+barricas.jpg 2018 Tasting - BODEGA CATENA ZAPATA Bodega Catena Zapata is known as the pioneer of fine wine from Argentina. First launched in 1992, it set a new standard for quality in South America. The wines immediately proved the quality potential of Argentina and garnered the first outstanding reviews for Argentine wines from worldwide media. After more than 20 years, the wines of Catena continue to lead the way in Argentine viticulture and winemaking. The family and the winery’s employees take great pride in carrying on the tradition that began over a century ago. It is still owned today by Nicolás Catena, and his daughter Dr. Laura Catena runs the family business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293539273-IUN7YC1FJFJOHZIRJB9O/110402_Matthiasson_081.jpeg 2018 Tasting - MATTHIASSON Jill always felt that the intersection of nature and culture was the most important thing. She studied botany at Penn, researched ancient farming techniques in Israel, and studied traditional methods for soil health in grad school at UC Davis. She pioneered “farmer to farmer” networking for sustainability in the early 90s while working for a family farming non-profit, and ran programs training farmers on direct sales, such as CSAs and farmers markets, before local food had the momentum that it has now. As the family grew, that passion translated into more local action. Today, she runs the business side of the family farming and wine business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293597024-AHK6MZ8C7BE7HNIWKWEI/_U9A9111.jpg 2018 Tasting - SNOWDEN VINEYARDS Snowden Vineyards in Napa Valley is a four-generation family affair with sons, daughters, wives, and cousins all in the mix. In January of 2005, Diana Snowden, Scott’s daughter, along with consulting winemaker, Dave Ramey, assumed winemaking duties. Beginning with the 2012 vintage, Diana handles all the winemaking duties herself. She is the winemaker at Snowden Vineyards and the enologist at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, where she resides with her husband Jeremy Seysses and their two children, Aubert and Blaise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529293648414-WVOUDLHT8IEC9QS6KRNA/Ashes+and+Diamonds+Credit+Nicole+Ruiz+Hudson.jpg 2018 Tasting - ASHES & DIAMONDS Ashes & Diamonds, ‘a love letter to the Napa Valley of the 1960s,’ has set out to revive this storied era’s pioneering energy. Owner Kashy Khaledi has built a winery driven by collaboration, seeking the participation of Napa’s great contemporary voices in viticulture and enology. This Oak Knoll winery is surrounded by an estate vineyard initially purchased by Darioush, the winery owned by Khaledi’s father. Kashy was compelled to investigate the nuances of the vineyard’s original plantings, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from 1986, and has meticulously done so through organic farming and restrained winemaking—with Steve Matthiasson and Diana Snowden-Seysses at the helm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529643753053-EB61XLN8UXAWPKF1IC11/keepGX5A2592.jpeg 2018 Tasting - Keep Wines Winemakers Johanna Jensen (formerly with Scholium Project and Broc Cellars) and Jack Roberts (Matthiasson Wines Assistant Winemaker) have come together to create wines influenced by the old world with less ripe fruit, minimal manipulation and great ageability. In the vigneron tradition, they do much of the work themselves from vineyard to bottling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1530380802309-TW7J18LQ3S1NUINZSS8P/lepiane_cellar_WEBONLY-9.jpg 2018 Tasting - L.A. Lepiane Wines L.A. Lepiane Wines was established in 2013 with the simple goal of crafting vibrant, exciting, balanced wines made by Alison Thomson’s own two hands. The name of the project is a nod to her great grandfather, Luigi A. Lepiane, who came from Piane Crati in Calabria, Italy. He settled in Hollister, California, where he established a grocery store and his own winery, L.A. Lepiane. Three generations later, that deep Calabrian love of food and family guided Alison through her education and career. Now at home in Santa Barbara, California, she has embraced the region’s unique ability to grow Barbera and Nebbiolo, alongside more well known grapes like Grenache. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1530392971346-2ADM78NAUQ5PFOR9SNI3/Cathy+Corison3.jpeg 2018 Tasting - Corison Winery Corison Winery is a small family farm producing delicious Cabernet Sauvignons that speak of place. 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1558125090762-10FNE0R48XUR301RJAZ8/EmmaKMorris-09977.jpg Bâtonnage 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1558125147833-QSPTP2N6C2L7K0OPHCRJ/EmmaKMorris-09981.jpg Bâtonnage 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1558125148944-Q3784YLPL045JM3MSO5X/EmmaKMorris-09988.jpg Bâtonnage 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1558125164759-AUM53SY4IARO6TUGJDAK/EmmaKMorris-09992.jpg Bâtonnage 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1558125166105-4MEPD8PG3AWEWBYWVAP1/EmmaKMorris-09993.jpg Bâtonnage 2019 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program daily 0.75 2021-05-03 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/6/16/btonnageconnect2020 monthly 0.5 2020-06-15 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/6/25/breakout-one-the-fizz-is-female monthly 0.5 2020-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589570155750-0NUALHZ0FXEY9WJ69R0H/Blaine+Ashley+PIC.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout One | The FIZZ is Female - Blaine Ashley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589570156214-0NSZL0LXXRUHO1LYQK4R/Naomi+Headshot+2.jpeg 2020 Program - Breakout One | The FIZZ is Female - Naomi Smith https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589849394279-Z45MSXF6EU75IRULDBSC/jayme+powers+sigh+sonoma.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout One | The FIZZ is Female - Jayme Powers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589849404805-B9MSD0BAH6TUAGHKTXWO/Pauline+Lhote+image.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout One | The FIZZ is Female - Pauline Lhote https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1591631009942-ZLPUL8SJVN7F8X282AWT/Rita+Jammet+Pic.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout One | The FIZZ is Female - Rita Jammet https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/6/24/session-three-defining-gender-across-generations monthly 0.5 2020-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589569014713-POMYL5I2OLYBGKPCMRUV/Kelli+White+still.jpeg 2020 Program - SESSION THREE | Defining Gender Across Generations - Kelli A. White https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589569013127-3GN0VFQEGU5DPEYCAWH6/Ana+Keller+PIC.jpeg 2020 Program - SESSION THREE | Defining Gender Across Generations - Ana Keller https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589569012844-3MJQRAQNYLUDMKSUYVZ4/Beth+Novak+Milliken.jpeg 2020 Program - SESSION THREE | Defining Gender Across Generations - Beth Novak Milliken https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589569014100-ZE10W48SVSJASRFSP2KM/Jaime+Araujo.jpeg 2020 Program - SESSION THREE | Defining Gender Across Generations - Jaime Araujo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589926163734-03M6GT3NM322V8JXI098/Jasmine+Hirsch+headshot.JPG 2020 Program - SESSION THREE | Defining Gender Across Generations - Jasmine Hirsch https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/6/18/session-two-stirring-it-up-color-wine-and-feminism monthly 0.5 2020-05-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589568037442-S52D6NVS3IQQF9PVOP7S/Julia+Coney+Headshot+%28Hi+Res%29-1.jpg 2020 Program - SESSION TWO | Stirring It Up: Color, Wine, and Feminism - Julia Coney Writer and Educator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589568040736-KYHO3DXCLGQ9M3CVEEJ8/Shalini+Sekhar.jpeg 2020 Program - SESSION TWO | Stirring It Up: Color, Wine, and Feminism - Shalini Sekhar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589568167139-EPDNVSMP6XNY85L4SN4R/theodora-lee-cropped.jpg 2020 Program - SESSION TWO | Stirring It Up: Color, Wine, and Feminism - Theodora Lee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589568038032-5M1J37PTUAOFLY060JSJ/Kelly+Mitchell+PIC.jpg 2020 Program - SESSION TWO | Stirring It Up: Color, Wine, and Feminism - Kelly Mitchell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589568039070-WDXEE584K91DQ22BYEG9/Priyanka+French.jpeg 2020 Program - SESSION TWO | Stirring It Up: Color, Wine, and Feminism - Priyanka French https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/6/17/session-one-vineyard-workers-whats-really-going-on monthly 0.5 2020-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589575699766-0VB0X3UM9J5BITFJHNV4/Elaine-Chukan-Brown.jpg 2020 Program - SESSION ONE | Vineyard Workers: What's Really Going On - Elaine Chukan Brown https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589575698064-L0P2UGPM7N30S6XMX2PQ/%C2%A1Salud-Leda-Isabel-Garside.jpg 2020 Program - SESSION ONE | Vineyard Workers: What's Really Going On - Leda Isabel Garside https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590162029610-FMRB6PIICWXJL2JES49P/Rory%2BWilliams.jpg 2020 Program - SESSION ONE | Vineyard Workers: What's Really Going On - Rory Williams https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/7/16/keynote-perspectives monthly 0.5 2020-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589589330943-4QZSNZZEDI3P9RF5Y7XC/Mary-Frances%2BHeck%2BHeadshot.jpg 2020 Program - KEYNOTE | Perspectives - Mary-Frances Heck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589567461812-XXQM9BFPSRD0FOTIBP9V/Traci+Des+Jardins+Headshot_Credit_+Frankie+Frankeny.jpg 2020 Program - KEYNOTE | Perspectives - Traci Des Jardins https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/7/10/breakout-six-the-fizz-is-female monthly 0.5 2020-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589573077031-LVM5XJ869FICH5UUWLWJ/Blaine+Ashley+PIC.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Six | The FIZZ is Female - Blaine Ashley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589849514605-TIHK6EBYPLOW08N6XYRV/Kornell_08_190688_CROP.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Six | The FIZZ is Female - Paula Kornell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589847832635-GWPWXL5NNVCJKKZK473T/Tawnya+Falkner+Pouring.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Six | The FIZZ is Female - Tawnya Falkner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589849536426-4M2V8WTGUDCJRSHF5OA7/Tracy+Bogue+.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Six | The FIZZ is Female - Tracy Bogue https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1593555464690-YVV9BIAQ6G7DCCFFQPGY/Maria+Hunt+Pic.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Six | The FIZZ is Female - Maria Hunt https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/7/9/breakout-five-advancing-your-career-in-the-drinks-business monthly 0.5 2020-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590507663083-V93IFMXQKQ2AFI1BG0E0/Kristin%2BBrabant%2BHeadshot.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Five | Advancing Your Career in the Drinks Business - Kristin Brabant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590769093759-6NER4AHOSW6YG0N1TBSI/stevie-kim-350x350.png 2020 Program - Breakout Five | Advancing Your Career in the Drinks Business - Stevie Kim https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589847517602-BHQK4ZFA9VR5D4X02DF5/JE+Headshot.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Five | Advancing Your Career in the Drinks Business - Jennifer Estevez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589933801485-5X973HB6XBDMMGTMZ7FR/Nicole+Burke.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Five | Advancing Your Career in the Drinks Business - Nicole Burke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590188024076-Y42TF1D4VXJSN88EGU1H/Sarah+Hoffman_Headshot.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Five | Advancing Your Career in the Drinks Business - Sarah Hoffman https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/7/2/breakout-three-ladies-lets-start-talking monthly 0.5 2020-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589571367133-EDVY3ILXE0KY0EVQVGMO/ErinCropped.jpeg 2020 Program - Breakout Three | Ladies, Let's Start Talking - Erin Kirschenmann https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589571371794-L33O1U5X9ZYWG1OT2371/Allison+Parc.png 2020 Program - Breakout Three | Ladies, Let's Start Talking - Allison Parc https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1591199935033-K7WC1Q2IHWOFB7KM6CHE/Felicity%252BCarter%252Bcopy.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Three | Ladies, Let's Start Talking - Felicity Carter https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/7/8/breakout-four-money-talks-are-you-listening monthly 0.5 2020-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589854684065-JSF2H07UY121OBNRPU1C/Geni+Whitehouse.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Four | Money Talks, Are You Listening? - Geni Whitehouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590507444058-IX9EDO704A6NOH2UQV4T/Monique%2BSoltani.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Four | Money Talks, Are You Listening? - Monique Soltani https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590507516619-Z01WEPQPZ3HENY7RI5E2/Maia%252BParish%252B2.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Four | Money Talks, Are You Listening? - Maia Parish https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1590507322197-4HV4G3UAOEMOY48DLN5T/Jennifer+Chin.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Four | Money Talks, Are You Listening? - Jennifer Chin https://www.batonnageforum.com/2020-program/2020/7/1/breakout-2-limiting-beliefs-amp-the-art-of-writing-in-the-wine-industry monthly 0.5 2020-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589570522433-N977WCG5RSQ24N3WTQ04/Ashley+Darling.jpg 2020 Program - Breakout Two | Limiting Beliefs & the Art of Writing in the Wine Industry - Ashley Darling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1589570415877-WC5GEJYOBMF2MB70OP9O/Jayne+Portnoy.jpeg 2020 Program - Breakout Two | Limiting Beliefs & the Art of Writing in the Wine Industry - Jayne Portnoy https://www.batonnageforum.com/women-winemakers-gallery daily 0.75 2024-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622575921959-FK1M5GQ5N8H9R45DBGN3/Megan+Bell+Pic.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Megan Bell | Margins Wine marginswine.com Margins Wine produces low-intervention wines using grapes from underrepresented regions, vineyards, and varietals. Margins Wines is part of the growing movement in California to make wines from sustainably farmed vineyards using little to no additives during the winemaking process, thereby showcasing the vineyards the grapes came from. Most consumers of wine are only familiar with a handful of grape-growing regions and types of wine. Margins draws attention to vineyards and varietals throughout northern and central California that are often overlooked. Margins Wine is a small winemaking project of Megan Bell, a winemaker living and working in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Prior to settling on the central coast of California, Megan received her BS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and apprenticed in wineries and vineyards in Napa, the Livermore Valley, the Willamette Valley, Central Otago (NZ), and the Loire Valley (France). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622575921959-FK1M5GQ5N8H9R45DBGN3/Megan+Bell+Pic.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Megan Bell | Margins Wine marginswine.com Margins Wine produces low-intervention wines using grapes from underrepresented regions, vineyards, and varietals. Margins Wines is part of the growing movement in California to make wines from sustainably farmed vineyards using little to no additives during the winemaking process, thereby showcasing the vineyards the grapes came from. Most consumers of wine are only familiar with a handful of grape-growing regions and types of wine. Margins draws attention to vineyards and varietals throughout northern and central California that are often overlooked. Margins Wine is a small winemaking project of Megan Bell, a winemaker living and working in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Prior to settling on the central coast of California, Megan received her BS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and apprenticed in wineries and vineyards in Napa, the Livermore Valley, the Willamette Valley, Central Otago (NZ), and the Loire Valley (France). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592070942304-ZAX5I3KPBHZWSKJ0SKQ4/Camins+2+Dreams.JPG 2021 Women winemakers galley - Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez | Camins 2 Dreams camins2dreams.com Camins 2 Dreams was founded in 2017, with grapes sourced exclusively from vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills, a unique appellation in Santa Barbara County. Our philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery. We believe wine is made in the vineyard and we want to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes come from. We are lucky both to live and make our wines in Sta. Rita Hills, where foggy mornings and cool nights combine with marine soils to make the perfect ingredients for outstanding wines. We are a team of two winemakers, Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez, wife and wife, whose paths first crossed in 2006 through our work in the wine industry. Our friendship grew through wine and travels, which also sparked our love. Our journey of friendship, love, and wine now continues as together we found our dream winery, Camins 2 Dreams. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622576184862-O94AAFUUHNGWEQQ3JCM1/Erin+Mitchell%3Aheadshot.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Erin Mitchell | Unturned Stone Productions unturnedstonewine.com A veteran of the wine industry, Erin Mitchell has worn many hats during her 27-year tenure in wine. She got her start in retail in Seattle in the 1990’s, working as a buyer and shop manager for McCarthy and Schiering Wine Merchants while pursuing a career in modern dance. In the early 2000’s, she helped form Triage Wines, the first wholesale wine company in the Pacific Northwest committed to importing and distributing natural wine. In 2010, Ms. Mitchell retired from dancing, moved to California, and began working as a sales representative for Farm Wine Imports in San Francisco. That same year, she, and her now husband, winemaker Randy Czech, started making wine together in a friend’s barn near the mouth of the Russian River. What started as a passion project soon evolved into Unturned Stone, a small winery dedicated to making artisanal wine from organically grown grapes in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Czech’s wines are hand-crafted and made exclusively with classic California varieties that are well suited to a warm, sunny climate. No additions (outside of minimal sulfur) are made in the winery and the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622575961768-JAD0WNYQHXCXBPXNO75D/__Cary_Q+1___.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Cary Quintana | Cary Q Wines CaryQwines.com Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Cary’s love of the fermented grape began on the retail side in 2005, when she owned a wine shop with an eye on small production and esoteric varietals from around the world. In 2013, she moved to Northern California to complete her UC Davis winemaking education, get closer to wine production with her first harvest and pursue her winemaking passion, debuting her first vintage a year later in 2014. With a focus on working with organic, sustainable, and meticulously farmed sites, Cary seeks out conscientious growers with unique micro-climates that highlights site-specific uniqueness. Hispanic- and woman-owned, Cary Q Wines highlights hand-crafted, small production California wines that inspire! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622213289698-U2UDAI2M488XI9EA1W9O/Alice+Sutro+Pic.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Alice Warnecke Sutro | Sutro Wine Co. sutrowine.com Alice Warnecke Sutro is an artist, winemaker and grapegrower. She founded the wine label SUTRO in 2012 and manages all aspects of the business. She is also proud to work in agriculture for her family business: Warnecke Ranch & Vineyard, the inspiration for her wine label and where she sources premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. When she wears that hat (and boots) she is assisting her aunt, Margo Warnecke Merck, to manage the family’s 80-acre vineyard growing premium grapes for winery clients. She is deeply interested in the long-term potential of her local agricultural community and in 2019 joined the Alexander Valley Grapegrowers Association Board and heads their Marketing Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She holds a BA in Art History from Stanford University and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from California College of the Arts, and draws incredible portraits for community projects. Alice is WSET 2 certified and is currently pursuing a Viticulture Certificate at Washington State University. Photo credit: Alisha Sommer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1591998670346-9XVXJDRC9RYH2SHLT5SB/birdhorse.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse | Birdhorse Wines birdhorsewines.com Birdhorse is a collaboration between partners - in love and winemaking - Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, who met and fell in love while attending the UC Davis V&E Master's program. The inspiration for Birdhorse Wines came from an impactful harvest season spent in South Africa, where the energy and creative perspectives of a new winemaking generation are fundamentally shifting the winemaking landscape. Corinne and Katie are passionate about adventure and rediscovery; creating wines that are truly reflective of the diversity of terrain, climate and humans in California. They produce wines from grapes and regions that have historical precedent in this state, but have yet to have their turn in the spotlight. The wines are minimal intervention, focused on freshness, texture and showcasing the uniqueness of each cultivar. The wines are crafted from organically-farmed vineyards, with no additives other than minimal sulfur, to best showcase the singularity of the fruits' point of origin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071102641-9SLB4WZYPEJNU50AMSNO/Jacqueline+Pearson+pic.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Jacqueline Person | CARBONISTE carboniste.com CARBONISTE is a wine brand started in 2017 and dedicated to producing modern sparkling wines from distinct vineyards and varieties in California. It began with the realization that there are styles of sparkling wines that don’t exist and deserve to have life breathed into them. They want to reimagine what sparkling wines can be through taking advantage of California’s special terroir. Their team is composed of Dan and Jacqueline Person, two winemakers based in Napa. After meeting at UC Davis, they worked around the world, then around California. Dan worked for Schramsberg Vineyards for 3 years, making traditional sparkling wines from California grapes. Based on that experience, Dan decided there was a need for a new interpretation of California sparkling wine. Jacqueline was concurrently making still wines from a variety of terroirs that inspired their vineyard selections. Their wines are made by hand, with the highest level of attention and caring. They have hand bottled, disgorged, and labeled each bottle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623775366363-88CG5Y62EXJC5FC1WECP/SW+-+Paula+with+Zinfandel+and+Riesling+.JPG 2021 Women winemakers galley - Paula Harrell | P. Harrell Wines pharrellwines.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622051099209-O8KCZ1P860Y3FWPGG3EB/image-asset.png 2021 Women winemakers galley - Paula Kornell | Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine paulakornell.com Reviving a Napa Valley tradition begun by her father, pioneering winemaker Hanns Kornell of Kornell Champagne Cellars, Paula Kornell is carrying on the family legacy in her own inimitable way with Paula Kornell sparkling wines. The launch of her own wine brand in partnership with Vintage Wine Estates brings Paula full circle. No longer the little girl who sold prunes, walnuts, and peacock feathers in front of the family tasting room, she is a consultant and community leader with 30-plus years of experience in the wine industry. As principal of Kornell Wine Company, she has consulted with esteemed wine brands and appellations throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592070873549-XMJ4KMO1Y3JKUEE39XWC/alex+young.JPG 2021 Women winemakers galley - Alex Young | Blanc Space blancspace.wine Alex Young, a Reno/Tahoe native, grew up with a love of wine, thanks in part to her Mom who was studying for the Master's with the Court Of Sommeliers. Alex worked in the fine dining service industry for 15 years before deciding to take a chance on a harvest internship where she fell in love with winemaking and the wine industry. She is currently going into her 4th harvest as the Assistant Winemaker at Judd's Hill and 3rd harvest for her own label, Blanc Space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1620424721768-FIZNNALCCKKJTD573Y6I/image-asset.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Kristin Olszewski | Nomadica Winę explorenomadica.com After earning a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Gender Studies, Kristin Olszewski got her start in restaurants in the Bay Area. She joined the front of house team at Saison, where she was first exposed to French wine. She has been a sommelier at Straight Wharf Restaurant in Nantucket, Beverage Director at Husk Nashville and for F10 Creative in Palm Springs. She was on the sommelier team at Osteria Mozza working with a list of over 1500-all-Italian selections and is obsessed with Italian wines. Kristin is currently the Wine Director at Gigi's where she has curated a list focused in wines from France and California. She’s a Founder and Chief Beverage Officer of Nomadica Wine where she curates a selection of high quality canned wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931833708-2SOU39X28N5LRI4SQ6N8/image-asset.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Sarah Wuethrich | Maggi Hawk Vineyards maggyhawk.com Sarah Wuethrich is a full-time mom, winemaker, and Chablis lover from Santa Rosa, CA, with a passion for making expressive and powerful Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Anderson Valley through her Maggy Hawk wines. With over 19 years in wine production, and a broad spectrum of experience from vineyards up and down CA and OR, Sarah is excited to connect with other motivated women who are looking to stir things up in the wine industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1622646682188-LDEK1IO9OEY7DY038BKZ/Terah.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Terah Bajjalieh | Terah Wine Co. terahwineco.com A native Californian, Terah spent time in hospitality, working in wine bars; a Michelin- starred restaurant, wine education, and consulted with various sommeliers in the Bay Area. Terah ambitiously immersed herself into the international world of wine, studying in both Spain and France and working 13 harvests covering five countries. Terah holds a BS in finance from San Jose State University and a master's degree in enology and viticulture from France’s prestigious Montpellier SupAgro. In 2020, she started her personal wine label and consulting company called Terah Wine Co. through which she continues to pursue winemaking and other opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. She currently is the head winemaker for Dorcich Family Vineyards. Most recently, she completed the WSET level three certification with merit. Photo credit: @alyssatwelker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623106198494-8CYWZ0PNQ63547VOLQ6K/JGG_7686+%285%29.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Shanna Vanderstoel | Tooth & Nail Wine Company toothandnailwine.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623171801206-MQI8DBP2I65GXGHDRSGY/Marcia+Torres_2019+headshot_BBronstad.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Marcia Torres Forno | Matanzas Creek Winery matanzascreek.com Though she has over 20 years of professional winemaking experience, Marcia’s introduction to the grape goes back to her childhood. Born in Santiago, Chile, to parents of Spanish and Italian ancestry, Marcia often spent time at her family’s Maule Valley ranch, which had a wine cellar. Marcia went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, with an emphasis in Fruiticulture and Enology, at Catholic University in Santiago. In 1995, Marcia started her first winemaking job at Viña Cousiño Macul in Santiago, Chile. She then joined Viña Canepa, also in Santiago, as assistant winemaker. In 1996, Marcia came to the United States as part of the Communicating for Agriculture and Exchange Program. Her first California winemaking job was as an enologist at Cardinale Winery in Napa Valley. From there, she worked for Kendall-Jackson Winery in both Sonoma and Napa counties as assistant winemaker. Marcia was named winemaker for Pelton House in 2006 before being appointed Winemaker of Matanzas Creek Winery in 2010. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592070423471-B6XQHBZN3RBX22AV0P7W/Ann%2BKraemer%2Bpic.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Ann Kraemer | Yorba Wines yorbawines.com From studying pomology at UC Davis to working on the family orange groves, Ann earned her ‘viticulture’ stripes managing vineyards for Domaine Chandon and Swanson. She eventually moved into consulting for both wineries and vineyards, such as Ancien, Cain, Calera, Paul Hobbs, Stagecoach and Shafer, as well as clients in Oregon and Chile. With over 20 years of experience in the premium wine industry, Ann and her extended family developed Shake Ridge Vineyards from its inception. Though she thrived in the industry, Ann longed for a chance to farm again. Shake Ridge Vineyards is proving a worthy, and demanding, subject for her passion. By custom-farming small vineyard blocks, Ann is able to provide Yorba and the other Shake Ridge winemakers the highest quality fruit. As Ann says, “It’s all in the details.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592235322558-U6QDDB6RWPKV3UWFVU8M/ABN+Headshot.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Andreya Nightingale | Mortar Pestle Cooking mortarpestlecooking.com | perennialmoxie.com Food changes the world. Andreya learned this truth time and time again from her grandmother’s pierogi kitchen, to the tables of her Belgian host families; from the Washington farms and gardens she studied at Western Washington University, to the spice and smoke scented street kitchens where she lived in the French West Indies. After wearing many different hats in the legal, wine, and restaurant industries, Andreya Nightingale decided to put her talents to work and establish Mortar Pestle Cooking in 2017, with the goal of bringing thoughtful and honest food and wine to the Bay Area community. Always a student of the world’s delights, she is a certified sommelier, WSET Diploma candidate, and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone. In 2020, Eric (her husband) and Andreya started Perennial Moxie as a platform to inspire self-sufficiency in victory gardening, cooking, and spreading the love for super rad and under-represented winemakers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592084104651-B4XG61LBT70LX9QQC25E/Clemence.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Clemence Lelarge-Pugeot | Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot champagnelelarge-pugeot.com The Lelarge family has been growing grapes since 1789 in Vrigny, a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims. Today, the seventh and eighth generation work together to make electric, terroir-driven champagnes from their distinct sandy and clay limestone soils. Certified organic and biodynamic (Ecocert and Demeter), the Lelarge domaine farms 4.4 hectares of Meunier, 2.8 hectares of Pinot Noir and 1.5 hectares of Chardonnay. The family nurtures their vines to produce a diversity of cuvées, all with a sense of place and respect of nature and humankind. Clémence is the 8th generation of the winery, sharing her life between Champagne and Sonoma County. She focuses on spreading Lelarge-Pugeot to the world - currently handling worldwide distribution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592328996366-2DK2LM98FQSE8L9LJ3SV/VirgilEmily-headshot.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Emily Virgil | Trail Marker Wine Co. trailmarkerwineco.com Emily Virgil is the founder and owner-operator of Trail Marker Wine Company, a small winery started with husband and partner, Drew Huffine. Virgil and Huffine make premium, handcrafted wine from family-owned vineyards in Northern California. In 2019, Trail Marker was named ‘winery to watch’ by Wine & Spirits magazine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071051691-08B3X2L3I4TQJ9H8APU9/Erin+Pooley.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Erin Frances Pooley | little Frances littlefrances.com Erin Pooley was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. Before relocating to California, she graduated from Charles Sturt University with a degree in Wine Science. Enamored with the nuance and intrigue of white wine with bottle age and with 5 years of winemaking under her belt, Erin started her wine company in 2012 with Semillon from the Luchsinger Vineyard in Lake County, California, subscribing to the philosophy of aging Semillon before release. These dry white wines develop a savory complexity and depth fascinating to experience over years of cellaring. Little Frances continues to expand on what is possible for Northern Californian wine by adding a textured Chenin Blanc from the celebrated Clarksburg region, and a Merlot made with a white wine lens. The focus for Little Frances is engaging table wines rooted in Northern California and made with minimal intervention. In 2018, Erin was honored to be featured as a San Francisco Chronicle Winemaker to Watch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592328939454-AYM6HT2U0OR0XTRDR5CT/Giulia.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Giulia Negri | Giulia Negri giulianegri.com/it/ Taking over a well-established Barolo estate at the age of 24 is an incredibly daunting prospect, but for Giulia Negri, the latest in a 150-year line of grape growers in the Langhe commune of La Morra, the challenge proved irresistible. After completing studies in management and biology, and fresh off an inspiring trip to Burgundy, Giulia returned to La Morra motivated to learn all the secrets to making fine wine in her native Piemonte. She started small, releasing microcuvées under her own label, before finally taking over the totality of vineyard management and production in 2014. In the heart of the Serradenari cru of La Morra—the highest point in the Barolo zone, with vineyards culminating at 536 meters above sea level—Giulia passionately pursues her goal of crafting Barolo with a Burgundian sensibility. Barologirl, as she has become known, may still be the new kid on the block in La Morra, but tasting her wines reveals a fine touch and devout respect for tradition that already places her wines among the region’s classics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071114134-XQ4RF2OLOO0KIOMWGYLP/JMW-Headshot.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Jaimee Motley | Jaimee Motley Wines jaimeemotleywines.com Jaimee Motley was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland within the walls of her family’s restaurant. After graduating from the University of Maryland, she moved to San Francisco to pursue graduate school for painting, but in the end could not resist her roots. She fell back into the restaurant business working at Locanda and RN74, where her passion for wine was officially ignited. From there, she worked in both northern and southern hemispheres in the cellar and vineyard, and spent her last pennies traveling to Europe to walk vineyards and speak with people who have a coveted history in the field of viticulture. In 2015, she accepted an assistant winemaker position at Pax Wine Cellars, and soon began importing Stockinger barrels—from one of the great artisanal coopers of Europe—from Austria in 2016. After 4.5 years working with Pax she decided in December of 2019 to move on from his assistant to focus on Jaimee Motley Wines and start a family with her husband Nico Cueva. Photo credit: Leigh Ann Beverley @bonafideproductions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592329959493-JPELTFQXK8CKJ4AOA1PU/raft.png 2021 Women winemakers galley - Jennifer Reichardt | Raft Wines drink.raft.wine Jennifer Reichardt was born and raised in Sonoma County, California and from day one, has lived a life centered in food production. Her passion for good, quality food, transferred to the way Jennifer approached a career in winemaking. In Autumn 2011, she completed her first harvest in Sonoma County, where she got a sneak-peek into the inner-workings of what it takes to make a great bottle of wine. Many vintages later, she launched her own brand in 2016, Raft Wines. A raft, by definition, is a community of waterfowl, like ducks, and the philosophy behind the brand is to craft a wine that is shared with a community - whether it be around a dinner table, or at a picnic with friends. Raft Wines focuses on hand-crafted, small lot wines from vineyards farmed sustainably and organically. She currently splits her time between the family business, Sonoma County Poultry, Liberty Ducks, and Raft Wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071350505-UGU5ZN6DQ50UNA5JHRRG/Jocelyn+jackson.JPG 2021 Women winemakers galley - Jocelyn Jackson | JUSTUS Kitchen justuskitchen.com Jocelyn Jackson’s passion for seasonal food, social justice, creativity, and community is rooted in a childhood spent on the Kansas plains. Her family would always sing a song before sharing a soulful meal. Jocelyn founded JUSTUS Kitchen to continue to create food experiences that inspire people to reconnect with themselves, the earth, and one another, with the goal of collective liberation. And she still begins every meal with a song. Jocelyn also co-founded People’s Kitchen Collective (with co-founders Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik and Saqib Keval), to continue to create food experiences that inspire people to reconnect with themselves, the earth, and one another with the goal of collective liberation. People’s Kitchen Collective (PKC) believes in radical hospitality and uses food as a way to address the critical issues of our time. Through large-scale community dining for hundreds of guests, PKC amplifies histories of political movements, migration, and displacement. PKC was named “Rising Star Chef” by the San Francisco Chronicle, honored on the YBCA 100 list, and presented with the advocate award at CAAMFeast. Photo Credit: Sana Javeri Kadri https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071148042-0DKNOLEX10N42DZ1W3LC/Katy+Wilson.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Katy Wilson | LaRue Wines laruewines.com LaRue Wines is focused on producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay exclusively from vineyards on the Sonoma Coast. For a long time winemaker and proprietor, Katy Wilson, had visualized the wines that she wanted to make: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are complex and vibrant with elegant acidity. LaRue is named after Katy’s great-grandmother, Veona LaRue, who was a firm believer that if you put your nose to the grindstone, you would be able to accomplish almost anything. With her great-grandmother as a role model, Katy worked her way from being a small town farm girl to becoming an accomplished winemaker. Since LaRue’s first harvest in 2009, Katy has committed to making exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the top vineyard sites on the Sonoma Coast. Maxing out production at about 500 cases, Katy is determined to do everything on her own, from hauling grapes, to punchdowns, to racking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071178245-G954P19EU64YMIB5B24X/Maura+Johnson.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Maura Johnson | March Wines marchwines.com While studying Mathematics at UC Davis, Maura Johnson learned of the Viticulture and Enology program and knew that it provided the perfect mix of science and hands-on work that she desired. After graduating, to get as much experience as she could, she jumped hemispheres working in Germany, New Zealand, Australia (twice) and always coming back to Napa for the Northern Hemisphere harvest. In 2013, Maura settled down at Miner Family Winery, with the position as Enologist and was quickly moved up to Assistant Winemaker a year later. In early 2018, she started as Assistant Winemaker at the premium Dana Estates in St. Helena. In 2016 while still working at Miner, Maura and her winemaking partner and now husband, Charley Johnson, started March Wines. It is a project focusing on high acidity, low alcohol food friendly wines- specializing in Riesling and St. Laurent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071198031-ZAPD82Q0RLZ9XUIDKESW/Nicole+Walsh.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Nicole Walsh | Ser Winery serwinery.com Ser is an artisanal winery based out of Santa Cruz, CA committed to preserving the "Being" of wine. Producing wines that allow the wine to truly express the varieties and vineyards they are sourced from. Producing varietal, vineyard designate, old world style wines. Nicole Walsh, Owner and Winemaker of Ser, graduated from Michigan State with a BS in Horticulture, emphasis on Viticulture and Enology. For the past 17 years, Nicole has managed vineyards and made wine in MI, Santa Cruz, and New Zealand. In 2012, inspired from her New Zealand experience, she decided to start her own wine brand, Ser. With her grower contacts in California, she was able to start working with several varieties such as Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cinsaut, Syrah, Graciano, and a more unknown variety, Cabernet Pfeffer. Selecting cool climate vineyards with special soils and microclimates, it is her commitment to winemaking to produce soulful wines with minimal intervention to allow the fruit to express where it comes from. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071204494-38NY1DQS61XPX3TF4NJ2/Rachel+Martin.jpeg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Rachel Martin | Oceano Wines oceanowines.com Rachel Martin founded Oceano Wines in order to take advantage of a special vineyard in San Luis Obispo just 1.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Oceano Wines is a boutique winery, producing about 1,100 cases of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir each year. Rachel has been following and studying wines all her life: Her stepfather is a fine wine collector and in 2004 he planted a vineyard at his Boxwood Estate in Middleburg, Virginia, putting Rachel in charge of his nascent winery. After all, she had already studied viticulture and enology at Napa Valley College and at the prestigious University of Bordeaux School of Enology. She helped propel Boxwood Estate Winery’s Bordeaux-style wines to both national and international renown. And she successfully researched and authored a petition to designate Middleburg, Virginia an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Rachel is an outspoken advocate for women in the wine industry. She also supports numerous philanthropic causes with her time and financial assistance, especially those that benefit women and girls like No Kid Hungry and Janie’s Fund. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592070933905-GPCHPE4E5EQ4V1V4FVIY/ana.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Ana Diogo-Draper | Artesa Vineyards and Winery artesawinery.com Born and raised in Portugal, Diogo-Draper moved to California in 2005 to join the team at Rutherford Hill Winery. In the course of her eight-year tenure she was promoted from harvest intern to Lab Manager, and finally, Assistant Winemaker. She joined Artesa Vineyards & Winery in 2013 and was promoted to Director of Winemaking in 2015. Known for her collaborative approach, Diogo-Draper thrives in the fast-paced winery environment and excels at a wide diversity of roles from laboratory analysis and quality control assurance to creative applications such as sensory analysis and blending. Diogo-Draper credits her professional success to a passion for agriculture and winemaking, nurtured from a young age in Portugal when she first planted vines with family and neighbors immersed in the European tradition of wine appreciation. Diogo-Draper holds a B.A. in Agriculture Engineering from the University of Évora, situated in the middle of Portugal’s historic cork industry. Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French, Diogo-Draper brings an international perspective to the Artesa winemaking team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071207837-W89UWBL6VTVXTNSQ45BS/remy+at+opera.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Remy Drabkin | Remy Wines remywines.com Remy Drabkin knew at age 8 that she wanted to be a winemaker, by 14 she was working a REAL wine job and at 25 launched both Remy Wines and Three Wives. What's the difference between the two labels? Remy Wines are Italian varietals grown in the Pacific Northwest, they are 100% varietal and barrel aged anywhere from 14 months up to 3 years (she even has a 10 year project!), these are all very limited production wines. Three Wives is her playground for any wines she makes that are varietals outside of the Remy Wines lineup and for blends. “I'm really proud of my wines, my team and everything we've built together and we couldn't do it without you!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1592071221686-UB56ROGABWVZDN9JWN13/Sarah+Heller.jpg 2021 Women winemakers galley - Sarah Heller | Wheeler Farms wheelerfarmswine.com Sarah Heller grew up in a small town in Connecticut, where from a young age cooking was her passion and focus. She graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI with a BS in Culinary Arts, before moving to Boston to work at Spire with Chef Gabriel Frasca. After a visit to Napa Valley, Sarah made the move in 2004 for a position at Thomas Keller’s Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro, becoming its first female Sous Chef. She next joined Chef Christopher Kostow at the Michelin Three Star, The Restaurant at Meadowood, learning both a new sense of creativity and technique. Taking all she had learned in 2009 she founded Radish Leaf Cuisine, a private catering company working with top tier Napa and Sonoma wineries and private clients. After 10 years of helming her own business Sarah began working with Wheeler Farms as both Executive Chef and Director of Gardens. At Wheeler Farms Sarah is responsible for creating memorable food and wine paired meals for guests from all over the world, using ingredients from the property’s orchard, gardens and chickens. https://www.batonnageforum.com/industry-areas-of-focus daily 0.75 2026-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1691550768414-EXZX0IGPBE63LSYEOCKQ/AdobeStock_326110205.jpg industry areas of focus - Viticulture Vineyard, field work, vineyard development, vineyard scouting, pest identification, grower relationships, and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1691550768414-EXZX0IGPBE63LSYEOCKQ/AdobeStock_326110205.jpg industry areas of focus - Viticulture Vineyard, field work, vineyard development, vineyard scouting, pest identification, grower relationships, and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1691550725627-RCVTZ7V5GRIVBYVIWFQF/AdobeStock_288238733.jpg industry areas of focus - Cellar/Production Concerns all aspects of winemaking including harvest internships and extended internships, as well as specific winemaking related activities including laboratory analysis, cellar operations, ageing, bottling, and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1691551339242-C641Y29TBV8F295FI29D/AdobeStock_330828884.jpg industry areas of focus - Marketing & Communications Media and trade relations, marketing and branding, strategic planning, event production, content creation, and copywriting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1636054450503-X85LFVZU4CN2KCKR36UG/AdobeStock_330828884.jpg industry areas of focus - Sales & Distribution Importing and distribution, budget planning, establishing KPIs, account relationships, brand ambassadors, and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635102501647-8SQZ9MBTDNJIOO05BZKJ/NextdoorOakland-33.jpg industry areas of focus - Retail Involves retail and winery direct-to-consumer sales and operations, wine club management, wine program curation/maintenance and buying, as well as marketing and media relations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635102513745-VDSAKOU56468C0FASOH6/AdobeStock_212050792.jpg industry areas of focus - Hospitality Restaurant and tasting room sales and operations, wine service and techniques, guest relations, wine list curation/maintenance and buying roles, and hospitality experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1691169830980-I25CFVCNW0SRQIJ1FM77/Wine+business+Photo+credit+jessica+fix.png industry areas of focus - Wine Business Covers various aspects of the wine business, including operations and logistics, strategic planning, general management, accounting, and entrepreneurship. https://www.batonnageforum.com/sales-marketing-mentors-2021 daily 0.75 2022-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608314231748-Z4KVIFU04RMUF9N2Q2Z5/Sarah+Bray+-+Douro+Valley+Headshot.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Sarah Bray - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 A co-founder of Bâtonnage Forum, Sarah is a wine writer and educator at The Learning Center at Meadowood as the Associate Director of Wine Education. She recently moved to Napa in 2020 after over a decade split between New York and Europe, working first in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and then later at Sotheby’s, before striking out on her own. She spent several years as an international marketing consultant and educator, working with top estates across Europe. She has been a contributor to Food & Wine, The Sommelier Journal, Departures, SAVEUR, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, and other publications. She holds the highest-level recognition from the internationally renowned Wines & Spirits Education Trust, Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits, and is a Master of Wine candidate. You can follow her on Instagram at @sarah.h.bray. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608314231748-Z4KVIFU04RMUF9N2Q2Z5/Sarah+Bray+-+Douro+Valley+Headshot.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Sarah Bray - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 A co-founder of Bâtonnage Forum, Sarah is a wine writer and educator at The Learning Center at Meadowood as the Associate Director of Wine Education. She recently moved to Napa in 2020 after over a decade split between New York and Europe, working first in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and then later at Sotheby’s, before striking out on her own. She spent several years as an international marketing consultant and educator, working with top estates across Europe. She has been a contributor to Food & Wine, The Sommelier Journal, Departures, SAVEUR, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, and other publications. She holds the highest-level recognition from the internationally renowned Wines & Spirits Education Trust, Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits, and is a Master of Wine candidate. You can follow her on Instagram at @sarah.h.bray. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605134487659-HGS8CRDS7ZHEJ60O2XV4/CurlyPixie.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Anitha Gandhi - Levels 1 & 2 Anitha Gandhi is a theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, working in NYC and always looking to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Rep for David Bowler Wine, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts to education to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), she wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine and reach a broader audience - one that looks more like her. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but the ones in the vineyards who support all of us in the background. You can follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. Additional IAF: Retail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608312274028-UT5ISW7KMLPG3VEYRBQ8/IMG_0401.JPG Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Giuseppe LoCascio - Levels 1 & 2 A New York City native, Giuseppe grew up in Italy where he graduated in Economics and Business Administration. Giuseppe moved back to New York in 2002 and in 2010 received his MBA from Fordham Graduate School of Business. Until August 2016, Giuseppe was the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian Wine Imports Division of The Winebow Group. In January 2017, Giuseppe founded his own Consulting Company and Import Agency, based in NYC. As an Agent, Giuseppe serves 12 US Markets with a selection of high-quality Italian wineries. In April 2017, Giuseppe became one of the few US-based Italian Wine Ambassador for the Vinitaly International Academy program. You can follow him on Instagram at @glocascio. Additional IAF: Retail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605226868876-02I0244Q828FV8UWE1F2/Kelly+Mitchell+PIC.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Kelly Mitchell - Level 1 Kelly Mitchell is a wine sales person, consultant, and educator. A sales representative for Skurnik Wines & Spirits, an importer and distributor of fine wine, spirits, sake, and glassware, she is responsible for sharing a world class portfolio of wine with restaurateurs and wine retailers. In addition to her work as a sales rep, she founded her consulting company in 2016, Kelly Mitchell Wine, to focus on the wine needs of consumers, working in various capacities as a wine educator on a variety of consumer driven wine topics, as a guest sommelier for wine tastings and events, and as a private consultant for wine enthusiasts and collectors. Her most recent endeavor is the launch of Kelly Selects in April 2020, an e-commerce boutique in partnership with online wine retailer, Wired for Wine, where she shares her favorite wines and makes them available for consumer purchase. She was recently named a “Rising Black Voice in Wine” by Wine & Spirits Magazine, appearing on its October 2020 cover. You can follow her on Instagram at @kellymitchellwine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931343904-EU6YP9OJL9J4HWDJQ3I8/Martina+Mirandola+Mullen_4564.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Martina Mirandola Mullen - Levels 1 & 2 Martina got her BA in Anthropology, German and Italian from Notre Dame before studying Applied Linguistics/TESL at USF. She taught ESL as an adjunct professor at universities for a few years before moving to Italy to help Andy Steves build weekend travel adventures for abroad students in Venice and Rome. Upon returning to the US, Martina moved to Chicago and began working for Select Italy, where she wrote many pieces for their blog and newsletter while traveling around Italy. In 2015, Martina moved to New York City for a a job in PR/Communications, heading up the Emilio Moro and Ferrari Trento campaigns in the US. Shortly thereafter, Martina was recruited into sales to work for Ste Michelle Wine Estates as the Antinori Specialist of New York. Martina was then recruited by Massanois to manage their Italian portfolio, which she still does as well as manages national accounts such as Whole Foods and sales to 14 distributors. You can follow her on Instagram at @martimm85. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605226829898-D1A870Z19Y6D2WHI17EI/MDeFeo.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Michelle DeFeo - Level 1 Michelle DeFeo’s extensive experience in the wine and spirits business spans every tier of the marketplace, from retailer to wholesaler to winery. In her current role as President of Laurent-Perrier US, Michelle is responsible for growing the brand’s business, managing the sales team and national distribution network, and raising the awareness of Laurent-Perrier's Champagnes among trade and consumers. Her core strengths are in sales and marketing, and over the last 9+ years in her current role she’s developed her finance and management skills as well. Michelle holds the WSET Level 3 credential and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. A graduate of Rutgers University, she also holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University. You can follow her on Instagram at @mdloveslp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608314277812-U85VQ2P4V1WV3BM8F45U/Monica+photo+2019-2.JPG Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Monica Samuels - Level 1 Monica Samuels has tirelessly worked to grow the sake category in the US for over 10 years. She works in managing international supplier relations for a growing import company, developing a sales strategy throughout the 50 states of the US and several provinces of Canada, being an extremely active educator, judging sake competitions around the world, and growing sales in her company at double digit rates year after year. Monica has become one of the country's most recognized sake professionals. You can follow her on Instagram at @msamuels1212. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605135644326-RURQLYEZLC3A8OOVYRCK/A269AF5B-247B-4EE8-AB07-C48E74C4F6BD.jpeg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Natalie Vaclavik - Levels 1 & 2 Based in Houston, Natalie Vaclavik has extensive experience in distribution and sales. She started her career as a Sales Rep for Glazers Domaines & Estates Wine where she was a top performer specializing in high-end wine sales for the top accounts in Houston. Over a decade ago, she became the Regional Sales Director for Evening Lands Vineyards and then became the first sales manager for Terroir Selections representing Qupe, Leviathan, Mayacamas, Sandhi, and Mulderbosch. From there she created a successful distribution company Victory Wine Group, built from relationships first on both producer and customer ends. She currently serves as National Sales Director for Jonata and Hilt Estate. You can follow her on Instagram at @purplecowgrl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608313015006-CQGY428TSO5LY1CP7QGT/0.jpeg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Rebecca Hopkins - Level 1 A creative, strategic marketer with 28 years demonstrated experience in the wine and culinary industry, Rebecca Hopkins has worked in communication for major companies including Constellation Brands, Accolade Wines, and today serves as Vice President, Communications for Folio Fine Wine Partners. Her focus has specifically been in development and execution of strategic wine brand communication platforms, partnership marketing activities, and marketing event activation. Rebecca is also the Founder of A Balanced Glass, a global online community forum to help wine and alcohol professionals manage their health and wellness. You can follow her on Instagram at @beckhopkinswine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605132427358-15VKHXGN63WQSEGBNEPU/Looper.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Ryan Looper - Level 1 Ryan Looper is a NYC beverage industry veteran and salesperson that has been selling wine and spirits in the city since 2007. With $35+ million in sales to both top-tier retail and restaurants and extensive travel to wine regions all over the world, Looper is in a unique position to offer a streetwise insider viewpoint on the NYC beverage market, arguably the most competitive and industry trend-setting market in the world. A frequent guest on wine podcasts, Looper has been featured on I’ll drink to that, In the Drink, Disgorgeous, Drinking on the Job and has been quoted on SevenfiftyDaily and Eater. You can follow him on Instagram at @iamlooper. Additional IAF: Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605132367405-R7PXPTVZ1IIOFAITGGHW/Santosh+Varghese.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Santosh Varghese - Level 1 Santosh Varghese currently wears two hats – Marketing Manager at VINTUS (a national import company) and Director of Client Relations at Fida (the direct-to-consumer arm of the import business). On the import side, he develops key business and sales strategies and communicates these pillars to the national sales team. On the DTC side, Santosh was instrumental in the design, development, and launch of Fida. Prior to joining VINTUS, Santosh started as an intern at Zachys Wine Auctions, was promoted to Wine Specialist within 3 months, and promoted again the following year to Marketing and Public Relations Manager. You can follow him on Instagram at @santoshvarghese84. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605136754749-D0XF7QG655C8D694JHR9/dan+_+erin-185.jpg Sales & Marketing Mentors 2021 - Erin Drain - Level 2 Erin Drain has engaged with her love of food, wine, and travel since her time as an undergraduate at The University of Chicago, where she studied anthropology, Iberian linguistics, and food culture. Finding a way to turn those passions into a paycheck led her to seek a part-time job in an independent wine shop back in 2007, where she quickly became the manager and wine buyer, thus kicking off a lifelong wine career which has also included freelance writing, education roles, and sales. She now proudly works as Head of Marketing for Olé & Obrigado, an award-winning US importer of artisanal Spanish and Portuguese wines. She is completing the Spanish Wine Scholar Program, is a Certified Sake Professional, and a Cicerone Certified Beer Server. She lives in Chicago, where in her free time she serves on the board of two nonprofits and spends a lot of time in the kitchen. You can follow her on Instagram at @erindrain. https://www.batonnageforum.com/hospitality-mentors-2021 daily 0.75 2021-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608310761814-P5AABTF3G0J97SLVOC6H/Tonya+Pitts.JPG Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Tonya Pitts - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 An industry changemaker, Tonya is a wine professional who catapults wineries and winemakers into the mainstream. She is also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. Tonya is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As Sommelier & Wine Director for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, Tonya curated a wine list with a bold style and flavor profile, including offerings by women, Black and Latino winemakers. She is also an active philanthropist and mentor, establishing Women in Wine to improve representation in the industry. She also holds a professorship with the University of San Francisco, working with students on food and wine pairings and is an ambassador, advisory board member and mentor for Wine Unify. You can follow her on Instagram at @noirsommelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608310761814-P5AABTF3G0J97SLVOC6H/Tonya+Pitts.JPG Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Tonya Pitts - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 An industry changemaker, Tonya is a wine professional who catapults wineries and winemakers into the mainstream. She is also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. Tonya is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As Sommelier & Wine Director for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, Tonya curated a wine list with a bold style and flavor profile, including offerings by women, Black and Latino winemakers. She is also an active philanthropist and mentor, establishing Women in Wine to improve representation in the industry. She also holds a professorship with the University of San Francisco, working with students on food and wine pairings and is an ambassador, advisory board member and mentor for Wine Unify. You can follow her on Instagram at @noirsommelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931519393-FBFJ7IR5NX4SVXS5GKBB/Alisha+Blackwell+Calvert.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Alisha Blackwell-Calvert - Level 1 Alisha Blackwell-Calvert is a Certified Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine from St. Louis, MO. She has worked several positions within the industry including serving, managing, wine sales, floor sommelier, wine retail, and beverage director. Her strengths are held in food and wine pairing and blind tasting theory. Blackwell-Calvert is currently an independent wine consultant, creating wine lists for clients, conducting staff trainings, and managing private cellars. You can follow her on Instagram at @exquisitevines. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607364202617-UVNF065Z9RVT7UYU4X01/fullsizeoutput_2826.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Barbara Haimes - Level 1 Barbara is a Bay Area wine and food trainer and educator. She got her start in the kitchen, cooking at several notable Northern California restaurants including Chez Panisse, Square One, and China Moon Café. She then moved to the Front-of-House, managing Zuni Café for four years. Shifting her focus to wine, she directed wine programs at China Moon Café, Stars, Vertigo, Café Rouge, and continues to run the wine program at Shakewell in Oakland, while consulting and teaching about wine and restaurant operations in City College of San Francisco’s Culinary and Hospitality Studies program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606762798561-XP9DABQHDILMH3I8KYLI/Frasca+Carlin+Karr+%285%29.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Carlin Karr - Levels 1 & 2 Carlin Karr, Wine Director of Frasca Hospitality Group, has been a member of the Frasca wine team since 2012. She oversees the award winning wine programs at Frasca, Pizzeria Locale, Tavernetta, and Sunday Vinyl in Boulder and Denver. After graduating from the University of Colorado in 2008, Carlin moved to San Francisco, where she opened the restaurant Sons & Daughters as General Manager and Wine Director. Carlin is recognized as an “Advanced Sommelier” by the Court of Master Sommeliers. Carlin has been recognized in Food & Wine’s Sommeliers of the Year 2018, Wine Enthusiast “40 Under 40” in 2019, Forbes “30 under 30” in 2011, Wine & Spirits Magazine “Best New Sommeliers”, and Eater “Young Guns”. You can follow her on Instagram at @carlinkarr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606762002813-KWMMSGUTY4JOPVD8B9TB/Fiona+Mak.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Fiona Mak - Level 1 Fiona S. Mak is the owner and winemaker of SMAK Wines, a Rosé exclusive winery in Walla Walla. She earned her Certified Sommelier title while managing at Quality Meats, having only trained for 1.5 years. In 2013 she relocated to Walla Walla WA to begin studies for Viticulture and Enology. Upon graduating, she was offered a lab tech position at Artifex Wine Company, a custom crush winery overseen by Jean- Francois Pallet of Pepperbridge. What began as a part time position soon turned into full time lab management, catering to the winemaking needs of 12-15 clients at once. Fiona founded SMAK Wines in 2018 and produces 3 Rosés modeled after the seasons. Her 2019 Spring Rosé of Sangiovese, was on the top of the list of “2020’s Top 20 Northwest Wines Under $20” as well as one of the “Top 20 Northwest Wines of 2020”, both by The Seattle Times. You can follow her on Instagram at @fiona_smak. Additional IAF: Cellar/Production https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605142478687-374PGBT0DL7EC1CGXBKR/74AF6FD2-9E2C-4449-AE22-528F1D072452.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Kathleen Thomas - Levels 1 & 2 In response to the changing world around her Kat created CORE Body | Mind, LLC, a consulting platform and support network that guides through physical and motivational trainings. It is her way to give back to the hospitality industry with health in motion and with a curated plan for you and your team. As a certified personal trainer, yoga guide, and cancer exercise specialist, Kat is making the effort to find, and share, the balance of hospitality and life with her peers and community while she experiences all the challenges and inspirations along the way. She is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently preparing for the CMS Master Sommelier Exam in 2021. She is the Wine Scholar Guild’s Spanish Wine instructor for the Las Vegas Wine Academy, has passed her WSET Level 2 in Wine & Spirits, is a Sake Certified Specialist and a Sherry Certified Specialist. You can follow her on Instagram at @winegoddesslv. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931638515-0MB69KAOWY1KRJIGWTXE/Kristin+Olszewski+Headshot.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Kristin Olszewski - Level 1 After earning a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Gender Studies, Kristin Olszewski got her start in restaurants in the Bay Area. She joined the front of house team at Saison, where she was first exposed to French wine. She has been a sommelier at Straight Wharf Restaurant in Nantucket, Beverage Director at Husk Nashville and for F10 Creative in Palm Springs. She was on the sommelier team at Osteria Mozza working with a list of over 1500-all-Italian selections and is obsessed with Italian wines. Kristin is currently the Wine Director at Gigi's where she has curated a list focused in wines from France and California. She’s a Founder and Chief Beverage Officer of Nomadica Wine where she curates a selection of high quality canned wine. You can follow her on Instagram at @kristin___o. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605142633561-59QRRFRK6P3HE7YWAF2W/WS+The+Sea+by+Alexanders+Melissa+Smith+1.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Melissa Smith - Level 1 Melissa Smith is a chef, certified sommelier, and the Founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services. While she was the Head Sommelier for K&L Wine Merchants, she developed the first iPhone app for wine pronunciation, and went on to found Enotrias, providing in-home and corporate wine tasting seminars, and private cellar management, organizing, inventorying, and assigning valuations for insurance and legal purposes. Melissa is the first person to give a legal seminar on The Valuation of Wine Collections that has been approved by the State Bar Associations of California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Connecticut. You can follow her on Instagram at @winechef. Additional IAF: Retail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606762660898-873XAIE3SBCQDO2ZBZ0W/Pascaline+Lepeltier.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Pascaline Lepeltier - Levels 1 & 2 Growing up in the Loire Valley and detouring from a career as a philosophy teacher, Pascaline Lepeltier, MS is a sommelier based in Manhattan, NY. After working in Michelin-star restaurants in France, she moved to New York City to open and run the Michelin-star Rouge Tomate beverage program for 10 years. Her wine list was quickly recognized and in 2017 was named “Best Wine List in World” by The World of Fine Wine. She has been a Master Sommelier since 2014, and became the first woman to win the Best French Sommelier competition in 2018. This year she also became a MOF, “Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” in sommellerie. She teaches with the Court of Master Sommelier and the Wine Scholar Guild. Pascaline writes a monthly tribune for the French wine publication, La Revue du Vin de France, and is preparing her first book to be published in 2022. Finally, she makes natural wines from organic historical hybrids with her partner Nathan Kendall in the Finger Lakes, NY, under the label chëpìka. You can follow her on Instagram at @pascalinelepeltier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607530066080-SHP5G6DKUBPFIHIVAZIK/Shelley.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Shelley Lindgren - Levels 1 & 2 Over the past 30 years, Shelley Lindgren has channeled her deep-seated appreciation for Italy into an award-winning career in wine. She earned her sommelier’s certificate while working at San Francisco’s iconic restaurant, Fleur de Lys, and went on to earn a culinary certificate at the Tante Marie Cooking School, and became a wine instructor for 12 years. In 2015, Shelley received the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Wine Program” at A16. A member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier, Shelley’s involvement in the local community extends beyond the walls of her restaurants, and she serves as a board member of Guild of Sommeliers and Marin’s Slide Ranch. In 2012, she co-authored her second book, SPQR: Modern Italian Food & Wine. Her third book, 'The New Italian Wine', will be released Spring 2021. Shelley’s reputation as an industry pioneer and advocate for the wines of Italy was recognized in 2019, as she was recently knighted by the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco receiving the "Cavaliere dell'Ordine Della Stella Italia" recognition. You can follow her on Instagram at @shelleylindgren. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607383909230-MVMD73D3V80VC060SA1T/Zwann+Grays.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2021 - Zwann Grays - Levels 1 & 2 Zwann Grays is a wine buyer specializing in wine list diversity with a focus on natural and sustainable wines. Grays has worked many jobs in the wine industry including retail and sales. Finally landing in restaurants, she has worked in fine dining, casual fine dining and some of the city's most exciting wine bars. Now at Olmsted and Maison Yaki, located in Brooklyn, she oversees two wine lists that have received great attention. This journey in wine has educated but has also secured within her a certain confidence in this business that she didn't necessarily start out with. Now, secure in herself and in her skills she is eager to hear from You, conversing, sharing and answering questions in the mentor capacity. You can follow her on Instagram at @zwanng. https://www.batonnageforum.com/retail-mentors-2021 daily 0.75 2021-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608310820548-MUX1K8ZJ1MI9WMEMS8L3/Stevie+Stacionis.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Stevie Stacionis - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Stevie is the visionary and founder behind Bâtonnage as well as co-owner of the acclaimed restaurant MAMA Oakland and Bay Grape wine shop in Oakland, California. Along with her husband and business partner Josiah Baldivino, Stevie was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Stevie originally began working in hospitality during high school and college to pay her way through the University of Southern California. After graduating magna cum laude, Stevie traded her apron for a laptop and a career in food, wine and travel writing. Post editorial-era (including published pieces in Wine & Spirits, SF Chronicle and Wine Enthusiast), Stevie managed communication, media, marketing and brand strategy for Corkbuzz Wine Studio, Crush Wine & Spirits, and the Guild of Sommeliers before launching her own brands focused on community and education in the wine and hospitality industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @steviestacionis, @baygrape, and @mamaoakland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608310820548-MUX1K8ZJ1MI9WMEMS8L3/Stevie+Stacionis.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Stevie Stacionis - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Stevie is the visionary and founder behind Bâtonnage as well as co-owner of the acclaimed restaurant MAMA Oakland and Bay Grape wine shop in Oakland, California. Along with her husband and business partner Josiah Baldivino, Stevie was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Stevie originally began working in hospitality during high school and college to pay her way through the University of Southern California. After graduating magna cum laude, Stevie traded her apron for a laptop and a career in food, wine and travel writing. Post editorial-era (including published pieces in Wine & Spirits, SF Chronicle and Wine Enthusiast), Stevie managed communication, media, marketing and brand strategy for Corkbuzz Wine Studio, Crush Wine & Spirits, and the Guild of Sommeliers before launching her own brands focused on community and education in the wine and hospitality industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @steviestacionis, @baygrape, and @mamaoakland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931434777-7SAKIQGVYNVYX6GEFPHU/CF+-+little+picture.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Christy Frank - Levels 1 & 2 Christy Frank is a seasoned wine professional with over 20 years of experience in all tiers of the US wine trade, ranging from large, global drinks firms to small, boutique distributors to on- and off-trade retail. She has a passion for wine backed by a deep understanding of market context, history and politics. She has a broad contact base throughout the NYC and national wine scene including store buyers and sommeliers, writers and press agents, distributors and importers. Having sold her flagship shop, Frankly Wines, in NYC, she currently ping pongs between work at her shop, Copake Wine Works, and work for Wine Australia and the Feiring Line newsletter. You can follow her on Instagram at @christy.frank.wine. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607012170802-HS3LL2HA3UIK2E0B97BZ/Emily+Dockery.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Emily Dockery - Levels 1 & 2 Emily is a "Jill" of all trades in the Michigan wine industry. She earned a degree in Enology & Viticulture from Lake Michigan College in 2016, and found a love of Viticulture and southwest Michigan terroir. Currently running the state's only wine non-profit, Michigan Wine Collaborative, she also founded a small marketing and consulting firm specializing in wine marketing and woman/BIPOC/LGBTQ+ owned business projects called Winemi. In addition, she holds a buying position at Harding’s Market, a boutique market in southwest Michigan. Here Emily has curated a selection of premium, small production wines and a unique merchandising system incorporating Michigan wines into imported areas to allow customers to discover classic styled wines made locally. Additional IAF: Viticulture, Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605136754749-D0XF7QG655C8D694JHR9/dan+_+erin-185.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Erin Drain - Level 1 Erin Drain has engaged with her love of food, wine, and travel since her time as an undergraduate at The University of Chicago, where she studied anthropology, Iberian linguistics, and food culture. Finding a way to turn those passions into a paycheck led her to seek a part-time job in an independent wine shop back in 2007, where she quickly became the manager and wine buyer, thus kicking off a lifelong wine career which has also included freelance writing, education roles, and sales. She now proudly works as Head of Marketing for Olé & Obrigado, an award-winning US importer of artisanal Spanish and Portuguese wines. She is completing the Spanish Wine Scholar Program, is a Certified Sake Professional, and a Cicerone Certified Beer Server. She lives in Chicago, where in her free time she serves on the board of two nonprofits and spends a lot of time in the kitchen. You can follow her on Instagram at @erindrain. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605137715523-TDX8SDPLYPGRVV4NO4M7/wine-words-like-elevage-are-aptly-explained-in-johannesens-vibey-conversational-podcast-wine-faceafter-one-episode-youll-want-to-invite-her-over-for-a-meal-and-a-bottle-or-two.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Helen Johannesen - Level 1 Helen was born in New York City. She started working in the restaurant industry while in college in Madison, WI. Her involvement at L’Etoile and the fine dining and farm-to-table driven experience inspired her to continue growing in the food and wine industry. She moved to Los Angeles and worked at Craft as a manager for two years before signing on with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo in July of 2009. She is now a partner at Jon & Vinny’s in Los Angeles, and the owner of Helen’s, the gem box retail wine shop nestled in the back. Helen is the Beverage Director for not only Jon & Vinny’s, but for all associated restaurants in the group: animal, Son of a Gun, Petit Trois, and Trois Mec & Kismet. She also hosts wine classes and has a curated wine club, and was titled Best New Sommelier by Food & Wine in 2016. You can follow her on Instagram at @helenjohannesen. Additional IAF: Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605136597831-SB49QT3YJRELNVH3B8U9/Kelli+White+still.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Kelli White - Level 1 Kelli A. White is the Director of Education for the Pacific Union Company in Napa Valley. Most recently, she was the Senior Staff Writer for the educational nonprofit GuildSomm, where her work earned her two of the coveted Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Awards. Prior to that, Kelli worked as a sommelier for nearly a decade between New York City and Napa Valley. In 2013, Food & Wine magazine named her one of the top sommeliers in the country. In 2015, she published her first book, the acclaimed Napa Valley, Then & Now, and she recently contributed to the latest edition of Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson’s World Atlas of Wine. She is a coveted speaker, has lectured on wine all over the world, and has appeared in the documentary Somm II: Into the Bottle as well as SommTV. You can follow her on Instagram at @kelliwhitewine. Additional IAF: Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605136324633-O5L78MKAH882AWP6WWQA/lauren.jpg Retail Mentors 2021 - Lauren McPhate - Levels 1 & 2 Lauren McPhate is the Director of Sales with Tribeca Wine Merchants, a New York fine wine retailer with a focus on terroir-centric wines from the world’s best producers. She got her start in the wine trade in Hong Kong, eventually landing at Ginsberg+Chan Wine Merchants Asia. During her time as the Communication and Events Manager, Lauren worked a harvest in Burgundy, attended her first En Primeur campaign, judged for the China Wines Awards, and completed the WSET Diploma, where she earned the Wine Australia Scholarship for excellence in Asia. After seven years abroad, Lauren decided to return home to the U.S. to join Tribeca Wine Merchants and to pursue her goal of becoming a Master of Wine. In 2017 Lauren was awarded the first ever Constellation scholarship for highest overall score in North America on the MW Stage 1 assessments. You can follow her on Instagram at @fishgutswine. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605136867142-DI7JU8BGJGSZDF3NG85Y/0mDSC_9276-01+%282%29.jpeg Retail Mentors 2021 - Maia Parish - Level 1 Maia Parish is the owner of wine events company, The Wine Suite, and creator of Tales of a Wine Mistress Live Show and Blog. Her award-winning events, Night in Wakanda, and tastings are featured at national festivals and trade-shows. She has been published in Wine Business News, Loam Baby Volume 6: Women in Wine Issue, The Somm Journal, and Denver Luxury Magazine. Maia is a Wine Judge for the Denver International Wine Competition and the Drink Pink Vino International Festival. Ms. Parish also owns and operates Parish Media LLC, which provides social media start-up creation and education, passive income opportunities, and event management. Maia is working on her CSW certificate with the Society of Wine Educator and plans to open a full-service Wine School in the future. You can follow her on Instagram at @thewinemistress. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing, Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607530368066-P9C8KQME0GXXLFVUJHIX/0-1.jpeg Retail Mentors 2021 - Simi Grewal - Level 1 Simi Grewal is a co-founder and Certified Sommelier of DECANTsf, a woman-owned wine bar and bottle shop in Soma, San Francisco. She specializes in managing the financial side of the business as well as co-curating the wine program with Cara Patricia. Simi's heart has always been in the food industry; at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, she created an interdisciplinary degree that focused on “The Business of Food.” After graduating, she worked in NYC restaurants before moving to Napa to attend the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. After graduating from the Accelerated Wine & Beverage Program, she worked at Eleven Madison Park (NYC), The Village Pub (Woodside, CA) and Birba Wine Bar (SF) before opening DECANTsf. Simi holds a Certified Sommelier credential from The Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as a Certified Wine Professional (CWP) and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Culinary Institute of America and Society of Wine Educators, respectively. You can follow her on Instagram at @simi1612. Additional IAF: Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605137343503-QH4E2O8IR8M41ZUAIDL7/DSC09066.JPG Retail Mentors 2021 - Stacey Gibson - Level 1 While she didn’t grow up around wine, a whole new world opened up to Stacey after studying abroad in Tuscany during college. Upon scrapping political science plans, she moved to New York City, where she got a job as a hostess in the Flatiron District. She fell hard for the excitement of the restaurant floor and pursued her passion for wine. After managing the wine list at Momofuku Ma Peche, she moved on to Corkbuzz Wine Studio. In 2013, after passing the Advanced Sommelier exam, she moved to Portland to start a family and be closer to the Willamette Valley. After managing several wine lists in the city, Stacey started as the wine director for the bar at Park Avenue Fine Wines in 2017 and was promoted to partner in 2019. She owns Parallel Food & Drink, a food- and wine-centered catering company with her husband, Joey. You can follow her on Instagram at @stacey_gib. Additional IAF: Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606268423106-EFEHMQXFPIVWHZ4900E5/image-asset.jpeg Retail Mentors 2021 - Suzanne Denevan-Brown - Levels 1 & 2 Suzanne Denevan-Brown is a seasoned industry leader with a proven track record of turning concepts into results. She has an MBA, WSET Level 3 certification and is a Certified Sommelier. Passionate about food and wine, Suzanne has extensive sales, Retail, and Brand Marketing experience. Currently a Senior Brand Manager at EJ Gallo, the largest US winery, Suzanne has a front row seat to the industry and a powerful voice for creating positive forward progress. You can follow her on Instagram at @sdenevan. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1619554371085-4RI32MG2344WG16BOTYS/Sarah+Pierre.jpeg Retail Mentors 2021 - Sarah Pierre - Level 2 3 Parks Wine is a boutique wine shop in Atlanta, GA established in 2013 with the hopes of creating a comfortable, welcoming, and quaint space to purchase wine. Owner Sarah Pierre opened the shop after a notable career in restaurants. She focuses on small production, family-owned and operated, organic, biodynamic, and natural wine producers. Sarah has received coverage in print and broadcast including CNN, Thrillist, Eater Atlanta, Mailchimp, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and many more. 3 Parks was also voted Atlanta Magazine’s 2020 “Best Wine Shop - Readers Choice” and Wine Enthusiasts 2020 “America’s 50 Best Wine Retail / Best Wine Clubs in America”! https://www.batonnageforum.com/viticulture-mentors-2021 daily 0.75 2023-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608310657254-G14FXIW45OV0V4815PHF/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Mary Maher - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1608310657254-G14FXIW45OV0V4815PHF/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Mary Maher - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605228081977-7NKIS27NF2QJE0X6WDOR/Ana+1.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Ana Keller - Level 1 Ana Keller is Estate Director for Keller Estate since 1998. Ana studied Chemistry at University of Mexico and her respect for terroir serves as a great foundation for running the vineyard and winery operation. It has allowed her to see the wine business from many sides, which will be a fantastic asset if you collaborate with her. As a Latina, she is thrilled to see more women all origins grown in our industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @anakellerw. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing, Retail, Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605227962095-5274WA3RC4P7RTZMDA13/Ann+Kraemer+pic.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Ann Kraemer - Level 1 Ann was one of the first female vineyard managers and has been a mentor to many over the years. After 25 years as a vineyard manager and consultant in the Napa Valley, Ann Kraemer longed for a chance to farm for herself. Shake Ridge Vineyards in Amador County is proving a worthy, and demanding, subject for her passion. Ann lives on the vineyard full time and her attention to custom-farming small vineyard blocks is the reason many winemakers have made the pilgrimage to her ranch. Ann is able to provide her family's brand Yorba Wines and the other Shake Ridge winemakers high quality fruit from a diverse and distinct vineyard. You can follow her on Instagram at @yorbawines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607717062933-0MSUNPHUQ8B60FMIUC0J/annie+bio+pic.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Annie Favia-Erickson - Levels 1 & 2 Raised on a small bustling farm in Connecticut, Annie's early exposure to an agrarian lifestyle shaped her love of agriculture and nature. Studying abroad in France during college reinforced her passion for wine. Following graduation she began her wine career at Newton Vineyards under the tutelage of John Kongsgaard. She went on to work with Cathy Corison where she truly found her place, in the vineyard. Annie worked as viticulturist for David Abreu Vineyard Management for over 10 years directing vineyard establishment and development for several of Napa Valley's most respected vineyard sites. Since 2009, Annie has turned her focus to her brand Favia Wines and more recently launched ERDA tea, an organic herbal tea company. You can follow her on Instagram at @annie.favia. Additional IAF: Cellar/Production, Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605227624449-Z3J3OVXRP26871YZTPFB/Diana+13.jpeg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Diana Snowden Seysses - Levels 1 & 2 Diana Snowden Seysses is a winemaker and educator. A graduate of UC Davis from the Viticulture & Enology program, she lives in France where she makes wine in Burgundy and commutes to her family estate in the Napa Valley, bringing all the Burgundian tradition she holds dear back to her native home. She finds endless inspiration in the notion of "Terroir," the tryptic of land, climate, and people. She seeks to promote and protect Terroir in its largest definition, the embodiment of ecosystem and community. You can follow her on Instagram at @dianasnowsey. Additional IAF: Cellar/Production (Photo Credit: Bénédicte Manière). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605227470520-IN70CEO77THOFYJLQQHC/Janna+Olson+BMP+bio+img+sqr.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Janna Olson - Level 1 Janna is a regenerative ranch and vineyard consultant the last eight years in Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and beyond. Specializing in transitional vineyard planning. Early on, she spent seven award-winning years as a Gramercy Tavern wine captain, accrued sustainability experience in solar and energy efficiency during the green jobs era of the mid-2000s and used it working in the South Pacific alongside tribal leadership to build a climate and cultural resilience project. When she returned to New York as a wine buyer with Christy Frank’s celebrated small producer shop, the early years of natural wine connected her to vignerons across the globe – Janna was already envisioning regenerative vineyards. A lifelong social and environmental justice activist, Janna is active and allied with multiple BIPOC organizations building inroads in wine and ag in support of this amazing momentum! You can follow her on Instagram at @resilientdrinker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931875855-HGP3SNVEX9KGGG9BUMVQ/Julia+Van+Der+Wink.png Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Julia Van der Vink - Levels 1 & 2 Julia van der Vink is a Viticulturist and Research and Development Manager at Bond, Harlan Estate and Promontory who specializes in regenerative winegrowing practices. Julia began her career in the wine industry at age 18, while she was completing her degree in Government and Economics from Harvard. She spent her free time during college studying for her WSET diploma, (passing 5/6 units with distinction), and stocking shelves at Ball Square Fine Wines in exchange for the opportunity to taste weekly with the buying team. Julia has experience working with multiple winemakers and winegrowers around the world, including Forlorn Hope, Mayacamas, MacDonald, Jasud Estate, and Enterprise Vineyard Management in California; Mac Forbes in Australia; Burn Cottage in New Zealand; and Mullineux Wines in South Africa. You can follow her on Instagram at @jvandervink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605909514375-Q6Z09SNO8U1F5QD34LEI/profile+picture.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Laura Deyermond - Levels 1 & 2 Laura Deyermond is a viticulturist who specializes in organic and regenerative farming on hillside vineyards in Napa Valley. She has 14 years of experience in the wine industry in New York, Washington and California and has her Masters in Horticulture, focusing on grapevine physiology. Laura has been working in Napa and Sonoma Valleys since 2012, and is currently the head viticulturist at Newton Vineyard in St Helena. As someone who did not grow up in the wine industry, Laura quickly learned how necessary it is to have a mentor to guide you on your path and to have someone to ask the "silly" questions to without judgement. You can follow her on Instagram at @ldeyermond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931889408-SWYBAFKIEUHTNW8IKMFZ/Macy+Batonnage+photo.PNG Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Macy Stubstad - Levels 1 & 2 Before moving to Napa, California, Macy studied Viticulture & Enology at Cornell University. While in school she worked in the vineyards and wineries in the Finger Lakes in New York, Utiel-Requena in Spain, and Barossa Valley in South Australia. After graduation, she moved across the country to California and never looked back. She has been the vineyard manager of Rudd Estate in Oakville since 2014 where she and her year-round vineyard team focus on organic and biodynamic farming, a full-time flock of sheep as their mowers, and implementing various forms of biodiversity throughout Rudd's vineyards and properties. You can follow her on Instagram at @macygraype. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606763917557-A8N88TSDKNZ8QJVOOAKB/CC.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Catherine Corison Cathy Corison has been making wine and growing grapes in the Napa Valley for 45 years. Her goal has always been to make world-class wine that speaks of place, is both powerful and elegant, graces the table and enjoys a long, interesting life. She just completed her 34th vintage of Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and has made wine for many projects in the Napa Valley including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family, York Creek, Long Meadow Ranch and Yverdon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606931833708-2SOU39X28N5LRI4SQ6N8/Sarah+Wuethrich+Maggy+Hawk+Winemaker.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2021 - Sarah Wuethrich - Level 1 Sarah Wuethrich is a full-time mom, winemaker, and Chablis lover from Santa Rosa, CA, with a passion for making expressive and powerful Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Anderson Valley through her Maggy Hawk wines. With over 19 years in wine production, and a broad spectrum of experience from vineyards up and down CA and OR, Sarah is excited to connect with other motivated women who are looking to stir things up in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @petite.sarah. Additional IAF: Cellar/Production https://www.batonnageforum.com/cellar-production-mentors-2021 daily 0.75 2022-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1619627008849-V2EPNIVL0B1KPH1YR05K/Priyanka+French.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1619627008849-V2EPNIVL0B1KPH1YR05K/Priyanka+French.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605229651026-4D0VPBOZR6WVDF6SE5RJ/IMG_6986+%281%29.JPG Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Carla Rza Betts - Levels 1 & 2 Carla Rza Betts began her career in the service industry 21 years ago as a silverware polisher on Maui. After years of enjoying virtually every front-of-the-house job imaginable, she finally accepted the position of Wine Director for April Bloomfield’s The Spotted Pig, The Breslin and The John Dory Oyster Bar in New York City. In 2013 she fell in love and left New York in order to pursue An Approach To Relaxation, a project making wine in Australia with her now husband, Richard Rza Betts. They own one of the oldest Grenache vineyards on the planet, make their own wine, and travel the world to sell it. You can follow her on Instagram at @carlarzabetts. Additional IAF: Hospitality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605229391763-JBPM95LTFY6OWAD1EXM2/CC.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Cathy Corison - Levels 1 & 2 Cathy Corison has been making wine and growing grapes in the Napa Valley for 45 years. Her goal has always been to make world-class wine that speaks of place, is both powerful and elegant, graces the table and enjoys a long, interesting life. She just completed her 34th vintage of Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and has made wine for many projects in the Napa Valley including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family, York Creek, Long Meadow Ranch and Yverdon. You can follow her on Instagram at @cathycorison. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605229278799-O2PDI4YEC6HHZ095AX3K/Flor+Gomez+foto.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Florencia Gomez - Levels 1 & 2 Florencia has a chemistry background and a winemaking degree from UTN University in Mendoza, Argentina. She has worked nine harvests in Mendoza, Napa, Croatia, and Burgundy, gaining hands-on experience in all sizes and styles of wineries: from a tiny old- world family business to med size ultra-premium and mass production of both still and sparkling wine. She has also worked in many different positions including lab tech, cellar hand, QC manager to enologist, research enologist, and assistant winemaker. Since 2015 she has turned her career into sales and marketing, and from 2019 she is a Master of Wine student based in London. Last May, she won the Lallemand scholarship, and recently she was awarded by the Women of the Vine and Spirits and E.&J. Gallo scholarship for MW students. You can follow her on Instagram at @florlikesherry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606932046657-O5JLIZ8FYZGJCWGLCXXI/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Jessica Koga - Level 1 Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. You can follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605229181638-Q6L7TZAH0NTQHOKO9NGF/image001.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Meghan Zobeck - Level 1 Meghan Zobeck is a winemaker that has worked harvest in several countries, is particularly passionate about old world and low intervention winemaking styles and regenerative farming. She has made wines both conventionally and naturally. She has worked for well known consultants, luxury brands, smaller start-ups and as an independent consultant and is currently starting her own brand. There have been successes and failures but all have been great learning opportunities. She is happy to discuss what it is like to switch careers into the wine industry (she used to negotiate player contracts in the NFL), all aspects of her wine experience, lend advice and help with industry networking.You can follow her on Instagram at @megs_zobeck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606932043395-EF308VYF5IHIQR8VHG0K/Meredith+Bell.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Meredith Bell - Level 1 Meredith Bell is co-owner and winemaker for Statera Cellars and EST Wines, in the Willamette Valley. In addition to making wine and managing two small brands, she is a winemaking consultant, and has years of winemaking experience in small/medium artisanal wineries in Oregon. Likewise, she farms a small vineyard, so has expertise in both the vineyard, and the cellar. You can follow her on Instagram at @stateracellars. Additional IAF: Viticulture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606932171582-T3BDP14E3MD0A5NXEHQ6/Rebekah+Wineburg.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Rebekah Wineburg - Level 1 Rebekah Wineburg is a winemaker who has been in the wine business for 20 years. Her focus is on expressing the true terroir in the wines she produces, utilizing Organic and Biodynamic practices to better interpret the vineyard. Rebekah makes her home in Napa Valley where she is the Winemaker for Quintessa Estate. In addition, Rebekah has a small label of her own, Post & Vine, that works with heritage vineyards of California. You can follow her on Instagram at @postandvine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605229561316-1YE9VAZQGQMUPUIDASL8/IMG_4319.JPG Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Sabrina Lueck - Levels 1 & 2 Sabrina Lueck is the Instructor of Enology at the Institute for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College. She has educated and mentored over 200 industry members who are now active in production, sales, and marking across the United States. Sabrina is a passionate educator and shares her knowledge through industry and consumer outreach. She has been a featured speaker at wine conferences across the United States and has been quoted in regional and national publications. Sabrina received her B. Sc in Viticulture and Enology from Cornell University. She is a student again, this time at the Institute of Masters of Wine based in London, UK. You can follow her on Instagram at @sblueck. Additional IAF: Sales & Marketing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1606932029465-P94LST0PD8IXS35Q0SRG/Sarah+O%27Herron.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2021 - Sarah O’Herron - Level 1 Sarah O’Herron is the co-proprietor and co-founder of Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, MD. In 2001 she and her husband, Ed Boyce, decided to take a shot at their long-time dream of creating a world class vineyard close to home in the Maryland Piedmont. They spent the next several years scouring the Maryland countryside for ideal vineyard land, learning what it took to grow great wine grapes, and endeavoring to recreate those practices at their Frederick County vineyard. Black Ankle Vineyards has built such a great following of dedicated wine lovers that Sarah and Ed have decided to expand their operation to include a second vineyard, winemaking, sales and tasting facility. This venture, Live Edge Vineyards, which is still in the works, is slated to open in 2025. You can follow her on Instagram at @sarahoherron. Additional IAF: Viticulture https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program daily 0.75 2021-05-10 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/24/walk-around-tasting monthly 0.5 2021-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1620686647165-YVTQW0VG5UR8U5CV5EKU/EmmaKMorris-00035.jpg 2021 Program - Winemaker-Hosted Walk-Around Tasting - Make it stand out Photo credit: Emma K. Morris https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/24/women-winemakers-the-other-10 monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/24/mentorship-the-community-building-block monthly 0.5 2021-06-14 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/23/woman-owned monthly 0.5 2021-06-23 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/23/areni-global-btonnage-all-cards-on-the-table monthly 0.5 2021-06-03 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/22/harassment-how-to-deal monthly 0.5 2021-06-10 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/22/welcome-keynote monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2021-program/2021/6/22/ups-downs-and-tailspins-restaurants-amp-retail-in-times-of-covid monthly 0.5 2021-06-07 https://www.batonnageforum.com/sponsors daily 0.75 2023-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623107004228-A96NRHASBHJHNVBDOZS4/image-asset.jpeg Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623107004228-A96NRHASBHJHNVBDOZS4/image-asset.jpeg Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1624036463080-FT0L04BD9JDFSZ89DBUD/LP_Logo_Commercial_RVB.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623106964094-0B6PY9UWQCGMYZS7DWEQ/image-asset.jpeg Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1624943618050-9ZMGBQ22WKM2QYITEN7E/odl+logo+2021.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623107098366-QTP96C7VC0467CZ09D2J/image-asset.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623796498642-VICKULGJS6R8SCI7FFUL/SevenFifty+Daily+Logo.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623796592769-L2PU4SKYQNES3S085C0O/Unknown.jpeg Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641580792676-5GJMFSTOXEXUTLS9YBKK/Pix-Drop-Lockup-Beta-400px.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641580796025-7HR5ODV6SP0RU4OHBLCT/SFC+Logo.jpg Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623106992880-LJTRFAU33Y2EINBBP0SD/image-asset.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623106950145-OFIB37EV1M7G6R538L09/image-asset.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1623107073297-7TTU7HF6KTMTVJUWJPKK/image-asset.png Sponsors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1692326787637-OVD6V5XU7C52NFBF587M/image-asset.png Sponsors https://www.batonnageforum.com/mentorship-levels daily 0.75 2026-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635113103212-WQPXR0MQBAVVXZBQLV2L/IMG_7634.jpg Mentorship Levels - Level One – Communication & Networking Level One focuses on networking, communication, and welcoming candidates interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry. Learn more here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635113103212-WQPXR0MQBAVVXZBQLV2L/IMG_7634.jpg Mentorship Levels - Level One – Communication & Networking Level One focuses on networking, communication, and welcoming candidates interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry. Learn more here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635033457188-VZFOJW73HVY3AAUBK2J2/IMG_A9AE824352D6-1.jpeg Mentorship Levels - Level Two – Guidance & Education Level Two is geared towards candidates with a demonstrated interest in a particular IAF in the wine industry. Learn more here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635106961275-WZ9IGQY96ED9QI42RXI3/PhotoEmmaKMorris-03560.jpg Mentorship Levels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1746114488295-QF1K3C29CFPPK83B8HD6/Briana+3.JPG Mentorship Levels - Level Three - Work Placements Level Three creates hands-on work opportunities and unique, one-of-a-kind experiences for candidates that will further their understanding of the annual cycle of a winery. Learn more here. https://www.batonnageforum.com/level-3-opportunities daily 0.75 2023-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635099828089-PPN47YGE7AMCWKGQ74CC/logo_domain_carneros.PNG Level 3 Opportunities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635099828089-PPN47YGE7AMCWKGQ74CC/logo_domain_carneros.PNG Level 3 Opportunities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1646957456892-9YD4SW4U9M55VH22BXS2/Screen+Shot+2021-10-24+at+11.25.10+AM.png Level 3 Opportunities - Silverado Farming Company and Dana Estates 2022 Mentorship Position Review the description of the role here. Apply for the position here. Application period open until April 7, 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635099939138-IKEY7TT4TDGGD52PD2HC/Screen+Shot+2021-10-24+at+11.25.10+AM.png Level 3 Opportunities - Domaine Carneros 2022 Mentorship Position Review the description of the role here. Application period now closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1665081357445-DCPQJYI2V3KAVDP97PVF/DC+Chateau.jpg Level 3 Opportunities - Domaine Carneros 2023 Mentorship Position We are excited to announce the second year of offering this exciting role in partnership with the amazing, female led team at Domaine Carneros. This second year comes with more in-built resources, mentorship guidance via our internal team as well as at Domaine Carneros, quarterly check ins, educational resources, financial assistance and MORE! Review the description of the role here. Please read CAREFULLY to understand the roles and responsibilities AND eligibility criteria to apply. Apply for the position here. Please make note of these important dates: + Application Deadline: November 4, 2022 + Candidate Selection Process: November 5-November 20, 2022 + Candidate Announcement: November 29, 2022 + Position Start Date: January 16, 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1675717025157-KJ4PPDHVI4Z3JU66D119/FU9A6719.jpg Level 3 Opportunities - Domaine Dujac Harvest 2023 Mentorship Placement We are excited to announce our first international Level 3 job placement. This once in a lifetime harvest opportunity will cover everything from grape harvest to vinification—winery preparation, vineyard sampling, picking decisions, fermentation, and pressing—with personal mentorship from Diana Snowden Seysses. Review the description of the role here. Please read CAREFULLY to understand the roles and responsibilities AND eligibility criteria to apply. Apply for the position here. Please make note of these important dates: + Application Deadline: February 20, 2023 + Candidate Selection Process: February 24-February 27, 2023 + Candidate Announcement: Week of March 6, 2023 + Position Start Date: August 2023* *Exact date will depend on harvest start date, to be confirmed in May. https://www.batonnageforum.com/marketing-communications-mentors-2022-level-1 daily 0.75 2022-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883318946-8E52I2DZA5N2JED8FOMT/katie%252Bdigital.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 A native Californian, Katie started her career in the wine industry after working a grape harvest in Santiago, Chile while studying abroad. In 2009, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with degrees in Spanish and Global Studies, she moved to Logroño, Spain for three years and then to Dijon, France, where she earned her MSc degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, she’s worked in marketing and communications for international wineries through importer Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and as partner at O’Donnell Lane, driving communications and strategic planning. You can follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883318946-8E52I2DZA5N2JED8FOMT/katie%252Bdigital.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 A native Californian, Katie started her career in the wine industry after working a grape harvest in Santiago, Chile while studying abroad. In 2009, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with degrees in Spanish and Global Studies, she moved to Logroño, Spain for three years and then to Dijon, France, where she earned her MSc degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, she’s worked in marketing and communications for international wineries through importer Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and as partner at O’Donnell Lane, driving communications and strategic planning. You can follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797405609-9B2VOAFLYRJOAF4V2N13/Erica1018+-+Erica+Duecy.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Erica Duecy - Level 1 Erica Duecy is an award-winning wine writer and editor. Currently, she is chief content officer of the wine-discovery platform Pix and its online magazine The Drop. Erica has run several publications as editor in chief, including VinePair and SevenFifty Daily, and has worked as digital director for Architectural Digest and Saveur. She is a judge for wine competitions and holds the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certification in Wine and Spirits. Erica is the author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House) and she writes a bimonthly, snackable wine newsletter called Bottle Service, highlighting sustainable wines in unexpected ways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797464958-195QS60OSU5Y0CSWUITS/Jee+Wong.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Jee Park - Level 1 Jee Park has over 20 years of experience in communications. She spent nearly 12 years at CBS News as a producer for the network’s morning show. Since leaving television, she has taken her producer skills and applied them to marketing, PR, corporate communications, and culinary event production. She has worked on several national epicurean events including the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, and Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. She also served as Director of Communications for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. In her current role at Magrino, she oversees accounts in wine, luxury travel, and consumer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797403462-OPDUAC3R5H97IYRUYNFM/CourtneyCochran+-+lr+-+Courtney+Cochran.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Courtney Cochran - Level 1 At Fetzer Vineyards, Courtney Cochran oversees corporate, brand, and sustainability communications. In addition to overseeing brand and corporate communications, Cochran represents Fetzer Vineyards as a business advocate for climate-smart legislation in a variety of arenas, including LEAD on Climate on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining Fetzer Vineyards, Cochran was a member of the PR team at E&J Gallo Winery and founded HIP TASTES® Communications in San Francisco. She is the author of the awarded book, Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine (Viking Studio), and is vice chair of the board for the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642012428676-QV8CQVM8BPP0Y94DLU44/headshot+-+Michelle+Schromm.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Michelle Schromm - Level 1 Michelle Schromm is a wine industry professional with over ten years of experience in various sales and marketing roles, beginning at a high-end, boutique winery in Mendoza, Argentina, to managing Paul Hobbs’ international family of brands, and most recently, at RAEN winery. Some examples of her experience include team management, brand planning and launches for domestic and international wineries, and PR/communications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797423638-5S0CKAL0OFGA8RUCHFD2/VirginieBoone-8289+-+Virginie+Boone.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Virginie Boone - Level 1 Virginie Boone reviews and writes about the wines of Napa and Sonoma for Wine Enthusiast Media, and is a longtime resident of Sonoma County. She began her writing career with Lonely Planet travel guides, writing guides to the American South, South America, Northern California and the Loire Valley, which led in a roundabout and perfectly sensible way to California-focused wine coverage for The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Savor Magazine, Sonoma Magazine, and others. She is a regular panelist and speaker on wine topics in California and beyond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642020893040-IDPHIA85QAEF17S00OHR/DSC_0072+slack+-+Katie+Owen.jpeg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Katie Owen - Level 1 Katie Owen is a trained Winemaker (MS Oenology, University of Adelaide) and holds the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits. She is currently the Director of Marketing for Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi Wines, Evening Land Vineyards, and Piedrasassi Wine & Bread. Katie previously worked in winemaking in Australia and the Napa Valley, as a Sommelier in various Los Angeles restaurants, and helped to lead product teams at two budding wine startups: Winc Wines and Nocking Point Wines. Today, Katie works with Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman to further develop the brands of their four wineries and increase direct to consumer sales through digital channels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797416662-3Q87DZUD55UUGUA1194V/Headshot+2+-+Juliana+Colangelo.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Juliana Colangelo - Level 1 Juliana Colangelo is a public relations specialist in the wine industry leading the Digital team for Colangelo & Partners, based out of San Francisco. Originally from the NY-Metro area, Juliana holds a degree in Political Science at Barnard College at Columbia University. She completed the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits and her MBA in Wine Business at Sonoma State University. Juliana seeks to provide her clients with strategic communications strategy in the form of story ideation, press outreach, events and sponsorships, relationship building with trade, and more. With a background in non-profit development, Juliana values social responsibility and incorporates it into her professional career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797419292-Q2ZQSFKAIODSNZL4DJVI/Recent+Head+Shot+%282%29+-+Camila+Xavier.jpeg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Camila Xavier - Level 1 Originally from Brazil, Camila Xavier has over 12 years of experience working with wine and spirits brands primarily from Europe and Latin America. She started her career in Public Relations and events for Kobrand Corporation followed by brand and marketing management positions at Palm Bay International and Maisons & Domaines Henriot America. Her understanding of brands ranging from popular premium to luxury and iconic leads to developing effective marketing strategies resulting in increased sales and brand awareness while optimizing return on investment. Camila’s passion for the wine and spirits industry has led her to successfully complete the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797412701-RTFKZG5JG1PF3GWV6HTB/IMG_1743+%281%29+-+Martina+Mirandola+Mullen.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Martina Mirandola Mullen - Level 1 Martina earned her BA in Anthropology, German and Italian from Notre Dame and studied Applied Linguistics/TESL at USF. In her early 20s, she taught ESL before moving to Italy to help Andy Steves build travel adventures for abroad students. Upon returning to the US, Martina worked for Select Italy in Chicago and moved into the world of wine. She later moved to New York City for a job in PR/Communications, and was then recruited into sales to work for Ste Michelle Wine Estates. At Massanois, her current employer, she manages the Italian portfolio as well as national sales to distributors and on- and off-premise chains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797420989-OZAFN2QQ55LXJ5WC3OKH/Photo+-+Katherine+Jarvis.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Katherine Jarvis - Level 1 As president of Jarvis Communications, Katherine and her team create custom-made programs for international and domestic clients in need of publicity. Upon graduation from Northwestern University, she taught history in Bogota, Colombia, before returning to Chicago to work in fine wine auctions—first at Davis & Company Wine Auctioneers (now Hart Davis Hart) and then with Lionstone International in partnership with Sotheby’s North American wine auctions. She later worked as executive director at hospitality public relations firm, Wagstaff Worldwide, Inc. She is a member of Slow Food and Les Dames d’Escoffier and is studying for the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits. https://www.batonnageforum.com/cellar-production-mentors-2022-level-1 daily 0.75 2023-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778715084-URR6S0XG14ZSILJMVC4U/Y%2B-%2BAnne%2BFogerty.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Anne Fogerty - Level 1 Anne Fogerty is the assistant winemaker and facility manager for Rivers-Marie Winery in Calistoga. She also has her own virtual label, Belharra Wines, in Napa with her wife. A native of Minnesota, she has grown her skills without a traditional winemaking degree and looks to create connections and support for persons across the industry. With 11 harvest in California, two in New Zealand, and multiple winemaking contacts across the globe, she continues to strive for education across all facets of winemaking and brand management. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778685575-1H9WYGH2K7OZJ5PPP57K/Y%2B-%2BCaitlin%2BLhommeau%2B-%2BBatonnage%2BPhoto%2B-%2BCaitlin%2BLhommeau.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Caitlin Lhommeau - Level 1 Caitlin Lhommeau found her passion for winemaking by happy accident in 2016 when she worked her first harvest during a gap year between college and medical school. She officially joined the industry full-time in 2017 and hasn’t looked back. On this journey, Caitlin has grown from cellar hand to director of winemaking at Tench Vineyards in Oakville and also has a small label of her own called L’Envolee. Caitlin is particularly fascinated by the science and the mystery of winemaking and how each bottle of wine tells a story: of place, of time, and of the people that brought it to life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778541834-OQA0VCP4WVTJCDRJB8B7/Y+-+Cathy+Corison.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Cathy Corison - Level 1 Cathy Corison, the first woman Winemaker-Proprietor in the Napa Valley, produces three Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, hand-crafted without compromise. Her wines are powerful and elegant at the same time, have a sense of place, and are structured to grace the table and enjoy a long, distinguished life. Cathy harvested her 35 th vintage of Corison in 2021! Academic preparation included a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA and an M.S. in Enology from U.C. Davis. Decades of winemaking for others, including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family Winery, Long Meadow Ranch and York Creek Vineyards, left her eager to express her own winemaking voice. She is guided by her belief that winemaking and wine appreciation are a timeless, creative celebration of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778540681-0964112I2N854DE23MCT/Y+-+Devyani+Gupta.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Devyani Gupta - Level 1 Devyani Isabel Gupta is the Winemaker & Viticulturist for Valdemar Estates, in Walla Walla, WA. She is a winemaker who brings a diverse background of skills and experience through her work in cognitive psychology research, direct wine sales, vineyard management, and enology. In 2019 she joined the Valdemar Family, where her wine program emphasizes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay from premier vineyards across the Columbia Valley. As a mentor, she aims to support, challenge, and empower her mentees. You can follow her on Instagram @devyaniisabel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778549495-A1YMELHNW0S7HJA11CRG/Y+-+Evyn+Cameron+PhotoEmmaKMorris-07573+-+.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Evyn Cameron - Level 1 Hailing from Wyckoff, New Jersey, Evyn Cameron is the Winemaker of Crocker & Starr Wines in St. Helena. She has had experience in viticulture and winemaking in both Napa and New Zealand as well as traveling through different winemaking regions in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. Starting her career in hospitality, working for Thomas Keller’s Per Se restaurant in Manhattan, inevitably led her to fulfill her dream of working in Napa to become a winemaker. Evyn has been fortunate to have multiple female mentors throughout her career which has made her realize the importance of support and continuing to make sure other women have the tools and guidance to be successful. Photo credit: Emma K. Morris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778754212-R3WTHVXEV390MBY7CG37/Y%2B-%2BKelsey%2BIta%25CC%2588meri.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Kelsey Itämeri - Level 1 After graduating from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 2009, Kelsey Albro Itämeri worked in different roles including: political campaign manager, reality TV production assistant, executive assistant at Lionsgate Studios, sales and development manager at natural foods companies, and as bartender and food and beverage director in San Francisco. Tired of spending 50% of her income on rent, Kelsey moved back to Washington State. She spent the first year on her family’s farm in Walla Walla and then started working at a local winery. She enrolled in Walla Walla Community College’s Institute for Enology & Viticulture, fulfilling internships at Balboa Winery and The Walls Vineyards in Walla Walla and Domaine Jean Chartron in Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy. In 2019 Kelsey founded itä wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778568026-FDJAWT98MRVAA5CYK3FQ/Y+-+Natalie+Bath+-+Natalie+Bath.JPG Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Natalie Bath - Level 1 A native of St. Helena, California, Natalie Bath came back to the Napa Valley after graduating college with the intention of applying to law school. However, she fell back in love with the beauty of the Napa Valley and gained a new appreciation for wine while working at Angèle restaurant in Napa. Natalie started her career in winemaking working harvests at Etude, Villa Maria in New Zealand, and Littorai in Sebastopol, before joining Rudd Estate in 2012. Natalie joined the Winemaking team as a cellar hand, and was then promoted to oenologist in 2016 (the same year she travelled to Bordeaux to work harvest at Château Pétrus), Assistant Winemaker in 2017 at Rudd Estate, and Lead Winemaker for Crossroads in 2018. After nearly a decade influencing the wines both in the cellar and in the vineyards, Natalie became Winemaker of Rudd Estate in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778587692-XKG4F4L9QEU3WN50YQ96/Y+-+Rosemary+Cakebread.png Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Rosemary Cakebread - Level 1 Rosemary’s path to Napa Valley winemaking began with a summer job working on Sebastiani Winery’s several bottling lines. She studied Viticulture & Enology and earned a degree in Fermentation Science in 1979 at UC Davis before starting work at Inglenook Vineyards in Rutherford, then Mumm Napa Valley, working with the late Guy Devaux. Rosemary made wine and consulted for Spottswoode Vineyard and Winery from 1997 through 2012. In 1990, Rosemary and her husband Bruce Cakebread planted a small Cabernet Sauvignon block in Saint Helena, which is now in its 37th year of production and is farmed organically–the source of Gallica’s estate wines beginning 2007. Gallica makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Albariño and an occasional Rosé. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782239937-G9DD9HBXG01UFBUOJTRT/Diana+H.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Diana Hawkins - Level 1 Diana Hawkins is a Certified Sommelier with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College; a Publishing Arts Certificate from Antioch University; and a Master of Science in Wine Science with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland where she studied microbial terroir. She has worked at top Chicago restaurants including the James Beard award-winning Lula Cafe, and three Michelin star Alinea. In 2017, she moved to Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue a winemaking career. She works as an assistant winemaker for the McBride Sisters, and is also in the process of developing her own wine brand, Responsible Hedonist. She is pursuing the WSET Level 3 Award in Wine and dreams of becoming a Master of Wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782244676-DBINH5YQKQXGU8UXACEP/Allison+Tauziet+Photo+-+Allison+Tauziet.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Allison Tauziet - Level 1 As Director of Winemaking for Colgin Cellars, Allison Tauziet gives direction to Colgin’s vineyard teams and oversees the production of all Colgin wines. Intrigued by the adventure of her first grape harvest at Domaine Chandon in 1997, Allison studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis, pursuing degrees in both Fermentation Science and French. Post-graduation, she moved to France to work as an intern at the Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux. Upon returning to the U.S., she joined Far Niente Winery as an Enologist, then as Assistant Winemaker for 5 years. Allison joined Colgin Cellars in 2005 as Assistant Winemaker. She was promoted to Winemaker in 2007, and Director of Winemaking in 2018. https://www.batonnageforum.com/viticulture-mentors-2022-level-1 daily 0.75 2023-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641794198270-BTNG3DSZP8JQ1JOJALVU/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Mary Maher - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641794198270-BTNG3DSZP8JQ1JOJALVU/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Mary Maher - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642280020854-GY4IBA1IZD2CB7YAO1BA/2A5FD810-D0F4-4DCF-877D-98AFA97A07F9+-+Emily+Goodell.jpeg Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Emily Goodell - Level 1 Emily Goodell is the viticulturist and part owner of a family business, Amoritas Vineyards, in northern Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula. She works with her brother, father and tasting room manager in every area of the business, but specializes in maintaining the vineyard. With a BS in Plant Science from Cornell University (2006) and a MS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis (2011) she combines strong theoretical knowledge of growing and planting with the hard-won experience of starting a vineyard and winery from scratch in Northern Michigan. She enjoys the challenges of every year’s weather in a location that sits on the line between cool and cold climate viticulture, and is always thinking creatively about how to farm sustainably, affordably and produce great wine. Because of the small size of the business, she regularly gets to enjoy the retail side of the business in the tasting room, and would be happy to share the sales skills she’s picked up over the years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641936367908-RALBAIIUQGNMTS9F506Y/Brooke+Robertson+Photo+credit+Richard+Duval.jpeg Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Brooke Robertson - Level 1 Brooke Delmas Robertson is the Director of Winegrowing for Delmas | SJR Vineyard in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Brooke serves the greater Oregon wine industry as a board member of the Oregon Winegrowers Association, and also runs a Viticulture Technical Group for the Walla Walla Valley. She began her career in the Napa Valley working for vineyard management companies such as Barbour, Piña, and The Napa Valley Reserve. Brooke has a degree in Philosophy from Oregon State University, an AAAS degree in Enology and Viticulture from Walla Walla Community College; studied for a Masters degree in Viticulture at Cal Poly in SLO and completed the Winemaking Certificate program from UC Davis. Brooke is also working towards her Vine Master Pruner certification through Simonit & Sirch. Photo credit: Richard Duval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782619558-X0982KSM6Y76WHFQURTC/annie+bio+pic+-+ERDA+TEA+Napa+Valley.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Annie Favia-Erickson - Level 1 Keen on all things green, viticulturist, vintner and plant enthusiast Annie Favia-Erickson has surrounded herself in a framework of plants — from the vineyards she works with as a part of Favia Wines, to the all-season vegetable garden that keeps her homestead, family, friends and local restaurants well-stocked; and now, to her whole flower and whole leaf herbal tisanes ERDA Tea. At the forefront of all viticulture and farming decisions is her philosophy that balance falls within the order of nature. Working carefully with each chosen site is an exercise in learning how to achieve a natural, balanced, and unique expression of the land. Though always paying strict attention to detail, ultimately Annie recognizes that Mother Nature reigns supreme. She finds her deepest sense of self while elbow deep in dirt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782616120-JS34MQ1OOVGIUOSTAHXV/RiaLakeComo+-+Ria+D_Aversa.JPG Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Ria D’Aversa - Level 1 Ria finished her undergraduate degree in Botany and began her career working with plants at the New York Botanical Garden. The 2008 economic crisis forced her to take a sabbatical, in which she turned it around and traveled to Tuscany to study pastry. She then found work at a small vineyard and winery in Piemonte in Northern Italy. She went to graduate school at UC Davis, where she saw the beauty of the west and wine by visiting beautiful vineyards throughout the state of California. Since then, Ria has worked at Broc Cellars in Berkeley, Tenuta Tignanello in Chianti, Treasury Wine Estates in Sonoma, McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, Constellation Brands in Napa and now at Hermann J Wiemer in the Finger Lakes. Organic, deliberate farming is pivotal to Ria’s grape growing and she continues her love for thoughtful, fresh wines through her own small wine brand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782619120-RCPCA16FH9XK9SVXCC0A/Unknown+-+Julia+van+der+Vink.png Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Julia van der Vink - Level 1 Julia van der Vink is a Vineyard Manager at Harlan Estate who specializes in regenerative winegrowing practices on hillsides. Julia began her career in the wine industry at age 18, while she was completing her degree in Government and Economics from Harvard. She spent her free time during college studying for her WSET diploma, (passing 5/6 units with distinction), and stocking shelves at Ball Square Fine Wines in exchange for the opportunity to taste weekly with the buying team. Julia has experience working with multiple winemakers and winegrowers around the world, including Forlorn Hope, Mayacamas, MacDonald, Jasud Estate, and Enterprise Vineyard Management in California; Mac Forbes in Australia; Burn Cottage in New Zealand; and Mullineux Wines in South Africa. You can follow her on Instagram at @jvandervink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795333252-4MQTUCJ0BKCQ9O6RH2PT/Ann+Kraemer+pic.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Ann Kraemer - Level 1 From studying pomology at UC Davis and working on the family orange groves, Ann earned her ‘viticulture’ stripes managing vineyards for Domaine Chandon and Swanson. She eventually moved into consulting with both wineries and vineyards, such as Ancien, Cain, Calera, Paul Hobbs, Stagecoach and Shafer, as well as clients in Oregon and Chile. With over 20 years of experience in the premium wine industry, Ann and her extended family developed Shake Ridge Vineyards from its inception. By custom-farming small vineyard blocks, Ann is able to provide Yorba and the other Shake Ridge winemakers the highest quality fruit. https://www.batonnageforum.com/hospitality-mentors-2022-level-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883106263-LJ0WF6ZA5YGJP3OOY2FH/Tonya+Pitts.JPG Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Tonya Pitts - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 An industry changemaker, Tonya is a wine professional who catapults wineries and winemakers into the mainstream. She is also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. Tonya is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As Sommelier & Wine Director for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, Tonya curated a wine list with a bold style and flavor profile, including offerings by women, Black and Latino winemakers. She is also an active philanthropist and mentor, establishing Women in Wine to improve representation in the industry. She also holds a professorship with the University of San Francisco, working with students on food and wine pairings and is an ambassador, advisory board member and mentor for Wine Unify. Tonya is also a wine judge and speaker. Her media appearances include CBS This Morning, ABC 7 News “Sips with Spencer,” Daily Beast, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Somm Journal, Tasting Panel, Wine Stream and Wonder Women of Wine. You can follow her on Instagram @noirsommelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883106263-LJ0WF6ZA5YGJP3OOY2FH/Tonya+Pitts.JPG Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Tonya Pitts - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 An industry changemaker, Tonya is a wine professional who catapults wineries and winemakers into the mainstream. She is also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. Tonya is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As Sommelier & Wine Director for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, Tonya curated a wine list with a bold style and flavor profile, including offerings by women, Black and Latino winemakers. She is also an active philanthropist and mentor, establishing Women in Wine to improve representation in the industry. She also holds a professorship with the University of San Francisco, working with students on food and wine pairings and is an ambassador, advisory board member and mentor for Wine Unify. Tonya is also a wine judge and speaker. Her media appearances include CBS This Morning, ABC 7 News “Sips with Spencer,” Daily Beast, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Somm Journal, Tasting Panel, Wine Stream and Wonder Women of Wine. You can follow her on Instagram @noirsommelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642019466151-60XCZQYU3A3WBWTTBPTU/Alisha+Blackwell+Calvert.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Alisha Blackwell-Calvert - Level 1 Alisha Blackwell-Calvert is a Certified Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine from St. Louis, MO. She has worked several positions within the industry including serving, managing, wine sales, floor sommelier, wine retail, and beverage director. Her strengths are held in food and wine pairing and blind tasting theory. Blackwell-Calvert is currently an independent wine consultant, creating wine lists for clients, conducting staff trainings, and managing private cellars. You can follow her on Instagram at @exquisitevines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854385325-3R4A2YUBYY5XBFP55F2W/_DSC9118-Edit+-+Alexandria+Sarovich.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Alexandria Sarovich - Level 1 Alex Sarovich is a native Chicagoian, avid traveler, passionate teacher, and CMS Advanced Sommelier. She has worked as Sommelier at SingleThread since early 2019. Most recently, Alex has begun a new role as Wine Director at Little Saint, Single Thread’s more casual Healdsburg-based sister restaurant. Alex is looking forward to building an accessible wine program and perhaps even more importantly being part of a dedicated team committed to creating a unique gathering space that will foster and support the community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854386664-BG2C03ZTNCA35U8D2ECZ/mc+in+japan+-+Mary+Catherine+Vec%CC%8Cko.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Mary Catherine Večko - Level 1 Previously a Bâtonnage Forum Level 2 Mentee in the Hospitality Industry Area of Focus, Mary Catherine Večko was recently promoted to Food and Beverage Assistant Manager at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in beautiful Blue River, BC. She completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust awards through the Advanced Level 3. Mac is into canned wine, sustainability initiatives, and wine writing. She is proud to have been named one of two Rioja Wine Academy Ambassadors through Femmes du Vin in October of this year. Follow along with her wine journey at @sipwriterepeat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642020434336-KIBU4525PHGT0M7UEBIX/kathleen+thomas.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Kathleen Thomas - Level 1 In response to the changing world around her Kat created CORE Body | Mind, LLC, a consulting platform and support network that guides through physical and motivational trainings. It is her way to give back to the hospitality industry with health in motion and with a curated plan for you and your team. As a certified personal trainer, yoga guide, and cancer exercise specialist, Kat is making the effort to find, and share, the balance of hospitality and life with her peers and community while she experiences all the challenges and inspirations along the way. She is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently preparing for the CMS Master Sommelier Exam in 2021. She is the Wine Scholar Guild’s Spanish Wine instructor for the Las Vegas Wine Academy, has passed her WSET Level 2 in Wine & Spirits, is a Sake Certified Specialist and a Sherry Certified Specialist. You can follow her on Instagram at @winegoddesslv. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854385002-V310DPKP5ZWZ63QIMDMK/Anna-Christina+Cabrales.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Anna Christina Cabrales - Level 1 Anna-Christina Cabrales pursued her bachelor’s degree in Economics & East Asian Studies and a minor in Psychology at Rutgers University, and later investor relations at NYU SPS. After several years as a project manager, Anna-Christina left the corporate world behind and pursued her culinary and sommelier diplomas at the French Culinary Institute. Her wine career blossomed at the highly acclaimed Morrell Wine Co. starting in 2012. There, she grew and became the General Manager & Wine Director through to its closure in 2020 due to the pandemic. Cabrales is now the Education & Innovation Manager of Independence Wine & Spirits, as well as mentor at Wine Unify and teacher at the Sommelier Society of America. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854377322-JK38GK0B1DMI0E6C9YU4/36+-+Elizabeth+Dames.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Elizabeth Dames - Level 1 Elizabeth Dames is the Wine Director for Capital City Club, a private club in the Atlanta area, as well as the CEO for her own consulting company, Wine Entwined. She is Level 3 Certified with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and is a French Wine Scholar having passed with Highest Honors. Additionally, she is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is preparing to sit for the Master’s Level Exam in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854378568-JU5Z8GPVSNF1FHYA6ZG6/A9DDE265-CE26-44D2-B0E5-B491C7F6F926+-+Trace+Conway.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Trace Conway - Level 1 Trace Conway, a California native, has spent most of her life in the hospitality industry. She studied psychology at UC Davis and then pursued her master’s degree in organizational psychology at NYU. During this time, Trace realized that her heart was in hospitality and committed to building her career and using her education to develop in the industry. Conway has worked everywhere from fish shacks on the beach to Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City, including Corkbuzz in New York City, where she worked for Master Sommelier Laura Maniec. Trace has since gone on to become a certified sommelier and attend distilling school in Spokane, WA. She joined the Butcher & Bee team in 2016, overseeing the Charleston and Nashville locations, as well as sister concept The Daily in Charleston. At Butcher & Bee, Trace focuses on drawing attention to the restaurants’ breakfast and lunch menus, as well as expanding on the wine and cocktail selections. Her leadership style provides a support system that allows her team and restaurants to shine. Conway now resides in Charleston, SC, with her partner of 14 years and their two children, Rylee (8) and Tasman (2). When she is not at Butcher & Bee, she enjoys spending time at the beach, exercising and cooking and entertaining for friends and family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854385581-WPRSWBTWYBPB51HHI18W/Caleb+Taft+-+Caleb+Taft.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Caleb Taft - Level 1 Born overseas, Caleb Taft spent his formative years in San Diego. After college, he began cooking professionally, but a move to San Francisco brought him into the world of wine. He worked as a retail wine buyer for a few years, before becoming the National Sales Manager for Vinum Cellars, where he sold wine in 30 states as well as a few international markets. Caleb then joined the staff of nopa restaurant as a manager in their first year of operations. He left to become the Wine Director and manager of Camino in Oakland and later returned to retail at Arlequin Wine Merchants in San Francisco. After a stint in sales, he helped open Nari Restaurant in San Francisco, where he helped build a diverse team focused on service and crafting guest experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854386156-OWHE0WIWRLJDWCVFI6ZA/Madison+at+LihoLiho+-+Madison+Michael.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Madison Michael - Level 1 Madison Michael is a 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry. She is a sommelier and a lover of all things sparkling. She has consulted on a variety of restaurant, bar, and hotel concepts. In 2018, she opened her own fine-dining restaurant, Merchant Roots, in the Fillmore District of San Francisco. In 2020, amid the height of the pandemic, she sold the restaurant to focus on another concept and co-founded an AI startup that produces an app for wine recommendations for novice wine lovers. Currently, she is the Director of Service for Osito & Liliana. https://www.batonnageforum.com/sales-distribution-mentors-2022-level-1 daily 0.75 2023-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883414765-Q4C5ABUACVAAJKF5TQCD/39CF264B-3F24-415C-9ACE-21FA2C00207B.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Anitha Gandhi is a theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, working in NYC and always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. Having been a Level 1 & 2 mentor most recently, she is excited to be stepping into the new role of overseeing the IAF of Sales. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. You can follow her on Instagram @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883414765-Q4C5ABUACVAAJKF5TQCD/39CF264B-3F24-415C-9ACE-21FA2C00207B.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Anitha Gandhi is a theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, working in NYC and always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. Having been a Level 1 & 2 mentor most recently, she is excited to be stepping into the new role of overseeing the IAF of Sales. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. You can follow her on Instagram @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795566562-J7NVURCEK34OASQ9B40Y/bio%2Bpic%2B-%2BLaura%2BBattiato.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Laura Battiato - Level 1 Laura has been studying wine since 2006, beginning at the Culinary Institute of America. She’s worked both front and back of house–at establishments including Fig and Olive restaurant group, Locanda Verde, and the Greenwich Hotel. From 2013-2020, Laura worked for Taub Family Companies where she managed different aspects of the business, selling high-volume retail driven brands and ultimately as the NY State Manager of their Fine Wine Division. In 2021, Laura joined Huneeus Wines as the Director of Sales for NY, NJ, DC, MD and DE. Laura has her WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a Stage 2 Candidate for the Master of Wine program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795422836-HP6H8NZCF6ZMVU0YVCTG/Capture+-+Allie+Russell.JPG Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Allie Russell - Level 1 Allie Russell is a marketing professional specializing in global brand positioning, luxury experiential marketing, and marketing program management. After working in various positions within the entertainment industry, Allie found the wine industry, giving up all she had built to move to Napa and start over as a harvest intern. Falling in love with the Napa Valley, wine, and the people who make it, she moved to the valley and started her career first in tasting rooms, moving on to communications and finally finding herself in love with sales and marketing. As the Marketing Supervisor at Opus One Winery, she thrives on creative thinking in the luxury wine space. When not at the winery, Allie is working on her WSET diploma, trail running, or baking with her 4 year old son. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795424277-VHXZX4204OBMTG1NFGK2/Claudia+Portrait+-+Claudia+Schug+Schuetz.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Claudia Schug - Level 1 Claudia grew up in a winemaking family in the Napa Valley in the late 1960s – 1980s. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany, she returned to California in 2017 after spending nearly 30 years in Germany, where she ran her own wine import and distribution company and managed the European export market for Schug. For six years, she also served as California Wine Institute’s German representative and its European Trade Education Ambassador. Claudia has a BA in Economics from Stanford University and attained the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits in 2009, after which she entered the Master of Wine program in 2010. Through her education and professional experience, she has built a global network, cultivated a deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry and has tasted a broad range of wines of domestic and international importance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795424800-AUHLKT83O4MVHJ3RNRAO/Etxebari+Picture+-+Katixa+Mercier.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Katixa Mercier - Level 1 Katixa Mercier is the Wine Portfolio Manager and Sales Manager at Favorite Brands in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In her career, she went from creating an award-winning beverage program to being offered a sales position with a boutique distribution company, which sealed her fate in the wine industry. Katixa is first generation American to European parents and spent her formative years in Central America. She is multilingual, multicultural, and multi-talented and can be found barrel-tasting vintages with vintners, translating seminars for foreign wine makers, or behind the wheel of a delivery truck to ensure that her team doesn’t skip a beat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795438505-1QF1Q23PD0EHMHSOZEY1/Laurie+Taboulet+-+Laurie+Taboulet.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Laurie Taboulet - Level 1 A native of Paris, Laurie Taboulet is a wine sales professional with twelve years of experience in the wine industry and a thorough knowledge of fine wine distribution in the United States and France. She has run sales for prestigious estates of Northern Rhône, Bordeaux and Napa, and has interned for harvest at sought-after small producers in California and Oregon. Laurie is currently based out of Sonoma and manages North Bay and San Francisco’s sales for Wilson Daniels. She holds a master’s degree in business from KEDGE and the Level 4 Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795436521-6Q0UWJL4GAYAN6CBHUV3/M+Egan+headshot+-+Michelle+Egan.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Michelle (Perry) Egan - Level 1 Michelle (Perry) Egan learned the wine business from the ground up, starting with her first job after graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She joined E. & J. Gallo Winery as a sales representative and, in 2007, joined Constellation Brands’ where she spent 11 years, growing to VP, Fine Wine Marketing and the Direct-to-Consumer. Michelle had a short stint at Realm Cellars as VP, Sales & Marketing and today she brings her extensive wine industry experience to Terlato Wine Group, overseeing the Estate Family Brands wine marketing and Direct-to-Consumer sales for wineries including Chimney Rock Winery, Rutherford Hill, Sanford Winery, and Klipsun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795446646-YE8EO8JDP8I073YFN8I1/profile+-+Georgia+Sugerman.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Georgia Sugerman - Level 1 Georgia Sugerman studied Math and Latin at Oberlin College, initially spending three years on Wall Street in her home-base of NYC before pursuing her passion for wine. She worked weekends in a Tribeca wine shop while still working in finance, all while taking courses at the International Wine Center, where she later obtained her Diploma with the WSET. Georgia spent a decade working for T Edward Wines & Spirits, a NYC-based importer and distributor. She started as a New York City sales rep, then regional sales manager, VP of Sales, and ultimately Vice President. She now works as a Personal Wine Advisor for Direct Wines, a direct-to-consumer marketing company representing wine clubs, such as the Wall Street Journal Wine Club and Laithwaites Wine Club. You can follow her on Instagram at @BrooklynWineMom and @georgia_sugerman. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795446250-UZDTG21F8S2O48AEGSHE/Riana+HeadShot+-+Riana+Mondavi.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Riana Mondavi - Level 1 Riana Mondavi’s career in the wine industry started at age 10 at her family’s business, C. Mondavi & Family. After completing her studies at Villanova University’s School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and International Business, she moved to Miami, Florida to work for Southern Wine & Spirits as a Restaurant Wine Sales Associate. In January 2011, she relocated to Seattle to work as the Northwest Regional Sales Manager for C. Mondavi & Family, managing the sales in five states. In 2014, she moved back to Northern California and managed the Northern California Regional Sales and then relocated to Dallas to start as the family’s first Director of National Accounts On-Premise Sales for two years and returned to California to start as the Director of West Coast Chains. Riana is co-proprietor of Mondavi Sisters Collection with her three sisters, which launched in 2011 with Dark Matter Wines. In 2016 her sisters also purchased the brand Aloft Wines from C. Mondavi & Family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642002897500-4OTZNPMX6EIEUNOMKO5V/Suellen+Tunney+Headshot+-+Suellen+Tunney.jpeg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Suellen Tunney - Level 1 Suellen Tunney has spent the last 25 years in hospitality and sales in the food and wine sector. She began managing restaurants in 2002 and then started a master’s degree program at NYU in the hopes of becoming an esteemed food writer. After a trip to Napa Valley in 2006, Suellen left NYU and eventually landed at Wolffer Estate Vineyard, located in the Hamptons of New York and there she spent 12 years growing the hospitality program as Retail Sales Director. In 2019, she moved to McCall Winesn as the General Manager, where she was more involved in the vineyard and production. Suellen joined the Jackson Family as Portfolio Manager for NY Metro this past October. Suellen’s management style is very inclusive and hands-on. She leads by example, listens well and promotes from within. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641882925827-EV3JCTZ96KTVO74AFRWY/MP%2B-%2BMichele%2BPeters.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Michele Peters - Level 1 Michele Peters is the French and Austrian Import Portfolio Manager for the US importer, Bowler Wine. She studied for three semesters in France and taught English for two years in Paris before returning permanently to the US. She started at Bowler in 2005 doing general administrative duties, and has now been the Portfolio Manager for more than ten years. She is responsible for managing all of the relationships with the wine growers in France and Austria - deciding which wines to purchase and gathering information from winegrowers and communicating it effectively with the sales team, customers and consumers. Michele writes for the Bowler website, creates sales offers, leads seminars and organizes tastings, events and trips to visit winegrowers. She also manages the purchasing budget for the US, coordinates logistics and manages legal requirements for importing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650887341728-SKCUUF9V1XPHDVZQP1A5/Elizabeth+H.+profile.jpg Sales & Distribution Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Elizabeth Huettinger - Level 2 https://www.batonnageforum.com/retail-mentors-2022-level-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864852820-RLHZILD0JDVDFCWV3BG8/_DSC2007525652615271-2+-+Paula+De+Pano.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Paula de Pano - Level 1 Paula de Pano is the founder and owner of Rocks + Acid, a mission-based wine shop and tasting room opening in Spring 2022 in Chapel Hill, NC. The award-winning sommelier, wine educator and one of the leading wine professionals of the South, recognized by Wine Enthusiast as one of the country’s “Five Filipino and Filipino-American Sommeliers” helping to change the narrative in the United States, is the former Beverage Director for the Five Diamond, Relais & Chateaux Fearrington House Inn and Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC. In addition to her nine years at Fearrington House Inn, she spent two-years as Senior Sommelier at Eleven Madison Park. Originally from Manila, De Pano attended the Culinary Institute of America and holds the Advanced Sommelier title from The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, the second-highest sommelier ranking, following Master Sommelier. When dePano began her career in hospitality, there were no brown women present; she strives to help other women navigate their role in hospitality or retail by sharing her challenges and obstacles in the wine industry. You can follow Paula on Instagram at @sommgirl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864833041-9U6NNJUVRPL7S4HNXA7A/9F111450-2263-4C8F-BCBD-C898D3E27A43+-+Linda+Wish.jpeg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Linda Wish - Level 1 Linda Wish has 30 years’ experience in the wine and spirits industry, beginning as a restaurant server in New Jersey during high school/college. Linda moved onto the wholesaler side of the business calling on wine shops and restaurants when there were very few if any women in these roles. Wish then moved to Hawaii, continuing her role working for one of the largest wholesalers in the US and calling on hotels, on-premise, and fine wine shops before shifting to the off-premise sector. She was then promoted to Account Executive for Club channel for two states–Hawaii and California. Linda transitioned from wholesaler to supplier, working for Hess Collection calling on the off-premise sector, followed by working for the importer, Vintus. Today, Linda represents Ste. Michelle Wine Estates as a senior member of their National Accounts team and she brings a wealth of relationships and experience to the role of Mentor. Linda resides in Dana Point, CA with her rescue chi-mix fur-baby, Lucky-boy. Her hobbies include golf, gardening beautiful succulents, tasting wines, and cooking. You can follow Linda on Instagram at @winewish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864947800-FJLQZXCO09N8KDURBBV1/w%2B-%2Bsusan%2Bhayes.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Susan Hayes - Level 1 Susan Hayes is the Vice President of MO Cellar Selections, a portfolio specializing in premium and super premium wines and spirits in the Pacific Northwest. Susan retired from a long time career as Buyer in the wine and spirits field at Costco Wholesale, a position she held for 15 years in two regions in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Susan’s buying career expands decades and has allowed her to travel the world, meet notable personalities in the wine and spirits industry, and study with experts; including earning her WSET Level 2 certificate. She was also inducted into Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc. Susan’s industry experience is truly invaluable and can help mentees navigate through their own careers. Hayes has a passion for food, wine and spirits, friends, travel, and art. Upon leaving the corporate world, while vacationing in Hawaii, Sue began a business painting pet portraits, which have been commissioned all over the USA and as far as the UK. Susan lives in Washington State with her companion Rick. They enjoy boating the beautiful Washington lakes, traveling to Mexico and Europe and most of all spending time with their seven children and five grandchildren. You can follow Susan on Instagram at @suehayes3442. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864834432-54H50FLBY2TEB4FICSJ9/Chicago+Andrea+Creative_1+-+Melissa+Zeman.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Melissa Zeman - Level 1 Melissa Zeman is the owner of BottlesUp!, a bottle shop and experience in Chicago. She graduated from Trinity University (San Antonio) in 2007 and in 2009 leapt into the wine industry, officially beginning her career with the full intent of opening her own shop (which ultimately took ten years). During that time Zeman received her WSET Level 2 and managed two different retail shops, specializing in event planning/execution and wine club management. She opened BottlesUp! in September 2019 and runs all aspects of the business. She focuses on being an active part of the community, growing the shop’s 400+ member wine club, and further developing the recurring BeyoU Ladies’ Nights. In her free time, you can find Zeman playing soccer and supporting fellow small businesses/industry comrades. Follow Melissa and the business at @bottles_up_chicago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864841295-7W2LZAMHU27IHTCTPQS5/Chrissy+Headshot+Sept+20+-+Chrissy+Edrozo.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Chrissy Edrozo - Level 1 Chrissy Edrozo is the regional wine buyer for Costco Wholesale overseeing the Southwest region, purchasing for 44 locations in 5 states. She holds the WSET Advanced Level 3 award and continues her studies. Chrissy is a wine contributor to the member monthly publication The Costco Connection and a representative of Costco’s in-house women's group, Journey’s. Edrozo began her career in 2001 at Costco. Prior to that, she held many roles beginning in operations at an entry level position before transitioning to the purchasing department. She held various roles within the Mexico buying division and then moved to the Southwest region in the Food & Sundries division. Today, she resides in San Diego, CA with her Fire Captain husband, Ronnie and their family of labs, Bubba and Besty Lou. You can follow Chrissy on Instagram at @chrissyedrozo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864848775-DNWL315M6VTD4BPTJJYV/IMG_0017+-+Rachel+Gross.JPG Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Rachel Gross - Level 1 Rachel Gross is the Director of New World Wine at Total Wine & More, a large, family-owned, privately held American alcohol retailer based in Bethesda, MD. She attended Indiana University, and for her entire career in the industry Rachel has worked on the retail side of the business. She has been with Total Wine & More since April 2010, starting as an associate buyer on the domestic wine team. She has managed the premium domestic, value France, South America and Kosher/Israel wine businesses. Rachel excels at negotiation skills, while often being the only woman at the table. She loves the complexity of the wine industry and helping others dissect and navigate through the 3-tier system. A big supporter of women in the industry, she strives to help all women grow and build relationships. Rachel resides in Gaithersburg, MD with her husband Stephen and two children Jacob and Eliana, along with their Airedale Terrier, Porter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864852587-PAE0F41FDYVJRJ3Y1CAD/IMG_5648+-+Anny+Chen.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Anny Chen - Level 1 Anny Chen has worked in the wine industry for 12 years. She is currently a Senior Fine Wine Consultant at Morrell & Company, helping private clients source top wines for their cellars, focusing on blue chip producers and new cult wines that are the next big thing. Anny’s focus is quite niche, hyperfocused on building one-on-one relationships with top collectors in the fine wine world. Anny started her career in wine in 2009 on the sales floor of Zachys Wine & Liquor and was quickly promoted throughout the years up to Vice President of Sales. She has a similar passion for travel and augments her wine education through trips to Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux, tasting with winemakers whenever possible. She holds a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential as well as the WSET Level 3 Advanced, and is a Founding Member of Societe des Ami du Champagne (SAC) in New York. Anny graduated cum laude from New York University with a double major in International Relations and East Asian Studies, and holds a Master of Science in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Prior to her entry into the wine world, Anny worked in Sales and Trading at Bank of America. You can follow Anny on Instagram at @annerz35. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864853171-Q3P9XNIVYH2AYW30MD35/Jenn+Profile+-+Jenn+Holterman.jpg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Jenn Holterman - Level 1 Jenn Holterman is the Merchandise Director of Wine at Target based in Minneapolis, MN. Jenn has been at Target for 12 years with the most recent 9 years on the Adult Beverage team. She began her career in Space/Presentation followed by the Multicultural team supporting Beauty/Healthcare. During her time on the Adult Beverage team, she more than doubled the business to over $1B today through elevated store experiences, new licenses and launching several successful national brands. She also introduced the regional buying model for Target, launched Adult Bev Order Pick-up/Drive-up nationally in nearly 1,200 stores and developed and launched over 14 exclusively launched brands (including California Roots which is now a top wine brand at Target). Jenn has accomplished all this growth while maintaining her passion for driving diversity in the wine industry and delivering curated offerings that are authentic, trend-forward, and innovative for the Target guest. Jenn is married to her husband Andy and together they have two little boys - Nicholas and Bennett. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, biking and watching sports with her family. You can follow Jenn on Instagram at @jennjeane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864855605-S2F920HSUQJORHZ1O5E1/RAP+-+Rebecca+Powelson.jpeg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Rebecca Powelson - Level 1 Rebecca Powelson is the Vice President of Sales for the Avanti Division at Riboli Family Wines (since 2021). This is a new position curating a new division while managing the Costco and Whole Foods retail accounts. Prior to this role, Rebecca worked for 13 years with Atlas Imports with focus on imported boutique wineries. She was a partner overseeing their domestic and import portfolios, managing national distribution, and working with national accounts. She also serves as President for Meredith’s Miracles, a foundation committed to helping young adults with colon cancer. In addition, she volunteers with A House on Beekman, an organization serving the children of the South Bronx. Powelson has overcome personal challenges being a woman at a young age in this industry and has a desire to help women in wine by paying it forward by sharing her journey, obstacles, and outcomes. Rebecca’s wine career began in 2005 in Chicago after graduating from Miami University. Powelson has her CSW and WSET Level 2 certifications. She has traveled to over 50 countries and is grateful to have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2019. She resides in New York along with her fiancé, Dimitris. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram at @beccapowelson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864855611-UER2DSBJMU6N6KWTRFW6/Tina+Boyle++-+Tina+Boyle.jpeg Retail Mentors 2022 - Level 1 - Tina Boyle - Level 1 Tina Boyle manages supplier relations and special projections within the marketing division for MISA Imports, one of the largest Bordeaux wine importers in the USA. She spent the prior four years as General Manager, Vice President, for MISA-California, a distribution corporation with responsibility for both wines and spirits sales and warehouse operations. Boyle held a retail buying role before she transitioned to the importer/wholesaler side of the business. Tina worked 28 years for Costco Wholesale, with over 22 years experience in the Los Angeles Region buying division and 6 years of club store retail operations. She held the position of Buyer for Wine, Beer, and Spirits from 2005-2015, managing over $550 million in sales annually. She has the WSET Level 3 certification and has managed 150+ employees over her career while guiding many into management roles. Her areas of strength include solid negotiating capabilities and willingness to grow the business in the best interest of the company. Tina works with team members to exemplify the company’s core values through commitment to service. She focuses on individual team member talents to maximize team productivity while infusing respect, humility, and kindness into business relations. Tina recently relocated from Southern California to Austin, Texas with her husband, Mike and has two daughters Justine and Cameron. You can follow Tina on Instagram @tina.ford.boyle. https://www.batonnageforum.com/retail-mentors-2022-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864853171-Q3P9XNIVYH2AYW30MD35/Jenn+Profile+-+Jenn+Holterman.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Jenn Holterman - Level 2 Jenn Holterman is the Merchandise Director of Wine at Target based in Minneapolis, MN. Jenn has been at Target for 12 years with the most recent 9 years on the Adult Beverage team. She began her career in Space/Presentation followed by the Multicultural team supporting Beauty/Healthcare. During her time on the Adult Beverage team, she more than doubled the business to over $1B today through elevated store experiences, new licenses and launching several successful national brands. She also introduced the regional buying model for Target, launched Adult Bev Order Pick-up/Drive-up nationally in nearly 1,200 stores and developed and launched over 14 exclusively launched brands (including California Roots which is now a top wine brand at Target). Jenn has accomplished all this growth while maintaining her passion for driving diversity in the wine industry and delivering curated offerings that are authentic, trend-forward, and innovative for the Target guest. Jenn is married to her husband Andy and together they have two little boys - Nicholas and Bennett. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, biking and watching sports with her family. You can follow Jenn on Instagram at @jennjeane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864947800-FJLQZXCO09N8KDURBBV1/w%2B-%2Bsusan%2Bhayes.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Susan Hayes - Level 2 Susan Hayes is the Vice President of MO Cellar Selections, a portfolio specializing in premium and super premium wines and spirits in the Pacific Northwest. Susan retired from a long time career as Buyer in the wine and spirits field at Costco Wholesale, a position she held for 15 years in two regions in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Susan’s buying career expands decades and has allowed her to travel the world, meet notable personalities in the wine and spirits industry, and study with experts; including earning her WSET Level 2 certificate. She was also inducted into Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc. Susan’s industry experience is truly invaluable and can help mentees navigate through their own careers. Hayes has a passion for food, wine and spirits, friends, travel, and art. Upon leaving the corporate world, while vacationing in Hawaii, Sue began a business painting pet portraits, which have been commissioned all over the USA and as far as the UK. Susan lives in Washington State with her companion Rick. They enjoy boating the beautiful Washington lakes, traveling to Mexico and Europe and most of all spending time with their seven children and five grandchildren. You can follow Susan on Instagram at @suehayes3442. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864841295-7W2LZAMHU27IHTCTPQS5/Chrissy+Headshot+Sept+20+-+Chrissy+Edrozo.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Chrissy Edrozo - Level 2 Chrissy Edrozo is the regional wine buyer for Costco Wholesale overseeing the Southwest region, purchasing for 44 locations in 5 states. She holds the WSET Advanced Level 3 award and continues her studies. Chrissy is a wine contributor to the member monthly publication The Costco Connection and a representative of Costco’s in-house women's group, Journey’s. Edrozo began her career in 2001 at Costco. Prior to that, she held many roles beginning in operations at an entry level position before transitioning to the purchasing department. She held various roles within the Mexico buying division and then moved to the Southwest region in the Food & Sundries division. Today, she resides in San Diego, CA with her Fire Captain husband, Ronnie and their family of labs, Bubba and Besty Lou. You can follow Chrissy on Instagram at @chrissyedrozo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650390540889-VFVZSKKEWA3GOKN4GBVG/Batonnage+Photo+-+Amy+Karasavas.JPG Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Amy Karasavas - Level 2 Amy Karasavas is the founder and sommelier of That Pour Woman located in Brooklyn, NY. Her company offers public and private wine tastings and classes. She is currently a WSET Level 4 Diploma candidate. In addition, she has received her sommelier certification with distinction from the Sommelier Society of America along with her WSET Level 3 certification with distinction. Amy worked at the neighborhood boutique shop Blanc et Rouge Wine & Spirits in Brooklyn, NY for two and a half years. Her experiences lie in wine education, blind tasting training, and the ins and outs of wine retail. Amy has traveled to some of the world’s famous wine regions to enhance her education like France, Portugal, Italy, Chile, Greece, and the USA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864834432-54H50FLBY2TEB4FICSJ9/Chicago+Andrea+Creative_1+-+Melissa+Zeman.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Melissa Zeman - Level 2 Melissa Zeman is the owner of BottlesUp!, a bottle shop and experience in Chicago. She graduated from Trinity University (San Antonio) in 2007 and in 2009 leapt into the wine industry, officially beginning her career with the full intent of opening her own shop (which ultimately took ten years). During that time Zeman received her WSET Level 2 and managed two different retail shops, specializing in event planning/execution and wine club management. She opened BottlesUp! in September 2019 and runs all aspects of the business. She focuses on being an active part of the community, growing the shop’s 400+ member wine club, and further developing the recurring BeyoU Ladies’ Nights. In her free time, you can find Zeman playing soccer and supporting fellow small businesses/industry comrades. Follow Melissa and the business at @bottles_up_chicago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1651727352260-BZ1C4YDCPAQP0K3EIXXY/_DSC9118-Edit+-+Alexandria+Sarovich.jpg Retail Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Alexandria Sarovich - Level 2 Alexandria (Alex) Sarovich currently is the Wine Director at Little Saint, Single Thread’s more casual sister restaurant in Healdsburg, CA. Her goal is to build an accessible wine program and be part of a dedicated team committed to creating a unique gathering space that will foster and support the community. Alex's career in hospitality has included Single Thread, E2 Hospitality, and Melbourne’s fine dining, Attica. Alex’s love for all things food and wine began with the joy she experienced gathering around the dinner table with her family, this also inspired her to enroll in culinary school. While attending Johnson & Wales University she discovered an interest in wine and went on to complete a 6-week European wine program based in Germany where she expanded her wine knowledge exponentially. After graduation from JWU, she passed Level 2 Certified Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommeliers. https://www.batonnageforum.com/sales-distribution-2022-level-2 daily 0.75 2022-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883414765-Q4C5ABUACVAAJKF5TQCD/39CF264B-3F24-415C-9ACE-21FA2C00207B.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Anitha Gandhi is a theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, working in NYC and always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. Having been a Level 1 & 2 mentor most recently, she is excited to be stepping into the new role of overseeing the IAF of Sales. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. You can follow her on Instagram @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883414765-Q4C5ABUACVAAJKF5TQCD/39CF264B-3F24-415C-9ACE-21FA2C00207B.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Anitha Gandhi is a theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, working in NYC and always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. Having been a Level 1 & 2 mentor most recently, she is excited to be stepping into the new role of overseeing the IAF of Sales. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. You can follow her on Instagram @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650482819389-IPT29NO2N0CSTO9M9ZF9/Giuseppe+LoCascio+Profile+Pic.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Giuseppe LoCascio - Level 2 A New York City native, Giuseppe grew up in Italy where he graduated in Economics and Business Administration. Giuseppe moved back to New York in 2002 and in 2010 received his MBA from Fordham Graduate School of Business. Until August 2016, Giuseppe was the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian Wine Imports Division of The Winebow Group. In January 2017, Giuseppe founded his own Consulting Company and Import Agency, based in NYC. As an Agent, Giuseppe serves 12 US Markets with a selection of high-quality Italian wineries. In April 2017, Giuseppe became one of the few US-based Italian Wine Ambassador for the Vinitaly International Academy program. You can follow him on Instagram at @glocascio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795566562-J7NVURCEK34OASQ9B40Y/bio%2Bpic%2B-%2BLaura%2BBattiato.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Laura Battiato - Level 2 Laura has been studying wine since 2006, beginning at the Culinary Institute of America. She’s worked both front and back of house–at establishments including Fig and Olive restaurant group, Locanda Verde, and the Greenwich Hotel. From 2013-2020, Laura worked for Taub Family Companies where she managed different aspects of the business, selling high-volume retail driven brands and ultimately as the NY State Manager of their Fine Wine Division. In 2021, Laura joined Huneeus Wines as the Director of Sales for NY, NJ, DC, MD and DE. Laura has her WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a Stage 2 Candidate for the Master of Wine program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795424800-AUHLKT83O4MVHJ3RNRAO/Etxebari+Picture+-+Katixa+Mercier.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Katixa Mercier - Level 2 Katixa Mercier is the Wine Portfolio Manager and Sales Manager at Favorite Brands in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In her career, she went from creating an award-winning beverage program to being offered a sales position with a boutique distribution company, which sealed her fate in the wine industry. Katixa is first generation American to European parents and spent her formative years in Central America. She is multilingual, multicultural, and multi-talented and can be found barrel-tasting vintages with vintners, translating seminars for foreign wine makers, or behind the wheel of a delivery truck to ensure that her team doesn’t skip a beat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650642227598-9MTOQXLTYWLYL9ZAHQ44/profile%2B-%2BGeorgia%2BSugerman.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Georgia Sugerman - Level 2 Georgia Sugerman studied Math and Latin at Oberlin College, initially spending three years on Wall Street in her home-base of NYC before pursuing her passion for wine. She worked weekends in a Tribeca wine shop while still working in finance, all while taking courses at the International Wine Center, where she later obtained her Diploma with the WSET. Georgia spent a decade working for T Edward Wines & Spirits, a NYC-based importer and distributor. She started as a New York City sales rep, then regional sales manager, VP of Sales, and ultimately Vice President. She now works as a Personal Wine Advisor for Direct Wines, a direct-to-consumer marketing company representing wine clubs, such as the Wall Street Journal Wine Club and Laithwaites Wine Club. You can follow her on Instagram at @BrooklynWineMom and @georgia_sugerman. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795436521-6Q0UWJL4GAYAN6CBHUV3/M+Egan+headshot+-+Michelle+Egan.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Michelle (Perry) Egan - Level 2 Michelle (Perry) Egan learned the wine business from the ground up, starting with her first job after graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She joined E. & J. Gallo Winery as a sales representative and, in 2007, joined Constellation Brands’ where she spent 11 years, growing to VP, Fine Wine Marketing and the Direct-to-Consumer. Michelle had a short stint at Realm Cellars as VP, Sales & Marketing and today she brings her extensive wine industry experience to Terlato Wine Group, overseeing the Estate Family Brands wine marketing and Direct-to-Consumer sales for wineries including Chimney Rock Winery, Rutherford Hill, Sanford Winery, and Klipsun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795424277-VHXZX4204OBMTG1NFGK2/Claudia+Portrait+-+Claudia+Schug+Schuetz.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Claudia Schug - Level 2 Claudia grew up in a winemaking family in the Napa Valley in the late 1960s – 1980s. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany, she returned to California in 2017 after spending nearly 30 years in Germany, where she ran her own wine import and distribution company and managed the European export market for Schug. For six years, she also served as California Wine Institute’s German representative and its European Trade Education Ambassador. Claudia has a BA in Economics from Stanford University and attained the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits in 2009, after which she entered the Master of Wine program in 2010. Through her education and professional experience, she has built a global network, cultivated a deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry and has tasted a broad range of wines of domestic and international importance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642002897500-4OTZNPMX6EIEUNOMKO5V/Suellen+Headshot.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Suellen Tunney - Level 2 Suellen Tunney has spent the last 25 years in hospitality and sales in the food and wine sector. She began managing restaurants in 2002 and then started a master’s degree program at NYU in the hopes of becoming an esteemed food writer. After a trip to Napa Valley in 2006, Suellen left NYU and eventually landed at Wolffer Estate Vineyard, located in the Hamptons of New York and there she spent 12 years growing the hospitality program as Retail Sales Director. In 2019, she moved to McCall Winesn as the General Manager, where she was more involved in the vineyard and production. Suellen joined the Jackson Family as Portfolio Manager for NY Metro this past October. Suellen’s management style is very inclusive and hands-on. She leads by example, listens well and promotes from within. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795446250-UZDTG21F8S2O48AEGSHE/Riana+HeadShot+-+Riana+Mondavi.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Riana Mondavi - Level 2 Riana Mondavi’s career in the wine industry started at age 10 at her family’s business, C. Mondavi & Family. After completing her studies at Villanova University’s School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and International Business, she moved to Miami, Florida to work for Southern Wine & Spirits as a Restaurant Wine Sales Associate. In January 2011, she relocated to Seattle to work as the Northwest Regional Sales Manager for C. Mondavi & Family, managing the sales in five states. In 2014, she moved back to Northern California and managed the Northern California Regional Sales and then relocated to Dallas to start as the family’s first Director of National Accounts On-Premise Sales for two years and returned to California to start as the Director of West Coast Chains. Riana is co-proprietor of Mondavi Sisters Collection with her three sisters, which launched in 2011 with Dark Matter Wines. In 2016 her sisters also purchased the brand Aloft Wines from C. Mondavi & Family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641882925827-EV3JCTZ96KTVO74AFRWY/MP%2B-%2BMichele%2BPeters.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Michele Peters - Level 2 Michele Peters is the French and Austrian Import Portfolio Manager for the US importer, Bowler Wine. She studied for three semesters in France and taught English for two years in Paris before returning permanently to the US. She started at Bowler in 2005 doing general administrative duties, and has now been the Portfolio Manager for more than ten years. She is responsible for managing all of the relationships with the wine growers in France and Austria - deciding which wines to purchase and gathering information from winegrowers and communicating it effectively with the sales team, customers and consumers. Michele writes for the Bowler website, creates sales offers, leads seminars and organizes tastings, events and trips to visit winegrowers. She also manages the purchasing budget for the US, coordinates logistics and manages legal requirements for importing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795438505-1QF1Q23PD0EHMHSOZEY1/Laurie+Taboulet+-+Laurie+Taboulet.jpg Sales & Distribution 2022 -Level 2 - Laurie Taboulet - Level 2 A native of Paris, Laurie Taboulet is a wine sales professional with twelve years of experience in the wine industry and a thorough knowledge of fine wine distribution in the United States and France. She has run sales for prestigious estates of Northern Rhône, Bordeaux and Napa, and has interned for harvest at sought-after small producers in California and Oregon. Laurie is currently based out of Sonoma and manages North Bay and San Francisco’s sales for Wilson Daniels. She holds a master’s degree in business from KEDGE and the Level 4 Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. https://www.batonnageforum.com/hospitality-mentors-2022-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883106263-LJ0WF6ZA5YGJP3OOY2FH/Tonya+Pitts.JPG Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Tonya Pitts - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 An industry changemaker, Tonya is a wine professional who catapults wineries and winemakers into the mainstream. She is also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. Tonya is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As Sommelier & Wine Director for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, Tonya curated a wine list with a bold style and flavor profile, including offerings by women, Black and Latino winemakers. She is also an active philanthropist and mentor, establishing Women in Wine to improve representation in the industry. She also holds a professorship with the University of San Francisco, working with students on food and wine pairings and is an ambassador, advisory board member and mentor for Wine Unify. Tonya is also a wine judge and speaker. Her media appearances include CBS This Morning, ABC 7 News “Sips with Spencer,” Daily Beast, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Somm Journal, Tasting Panel, Wine Stream and Wonder Women of Wine. You can follow her on Instagram @noirsommelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883106263-LJ0WF6ZA5YGJP3OOY2FH/Tonya+Pitts.JPG Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Tonya Pitts - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 An industry changemaker, Tonya is a wine professional who catapults wineries and winemakers into the mainstream. She is also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. Tonya is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As Sommelier & Wine Director for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, Tonya curated a wine list with a bold style and flavor profile, including offerings by women, Black and Latino winemakers. She is also an active philanthropist and mentor, establishing Women in Wine to improve representation in the industry. She also holds a professorship with the University of San Francisco, working with students on food and wine pairings and is an ambassador, advisory board member and mentor for Wine Unify. Tonya is also a wine judge and speaker. Her media appearances include CBS This Morning, ABC 7 News “Sips with Spencer,” Daily Beast, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Somm Journal, Tasting Panel, Wine Stream and Wonder Women of Wine. You can follow her on Instagram @noirsommelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854378568-JU5Z8GPVSNF1FHYA6ZG6/A9DDE265-CE26-44D2-B0E5-B491C7F6F926+-+Trace+Conway.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Trace Conway - Level 2 Trace Conway, a California native, has spent most of her life in the hospitality industry. She studied psychology at UC Davis and then pursued her master’s degree in organizational psychology at NYU. During this time, Trace realized that her heart was in hospitality and committed to building her career and using her education to develop in the industry. Conway has worked everywhere from fish shacks on the beach to Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City, including Corkbuzz in New York City, where she worked for Master Sommelier Laura Maniec. Trace has since gone on to become a certified sommelier and attend distilling school in Spokane, WA. She joined the Butcher & Bee team in 2016, overseeing the Charleston and Nashville locations, as well as sister concept The Daily in Charleston. At Butcher & Bee, Trace focuses on drawing attention to the restaurants’ breakfast and lunch menus, as well as expanding on the wine and cocktail selections. Her leadership style provides a support system that allows her team and restaurants to shine. Conway now resides in Charleston, SC, with her partner of 14 years and their two children, Rylee (8) and Tasman (2). When she is not at Butcher & Bee, she enjoys spending time at the beach, exercising and cooking and entertaining for friends and family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650643797062-R19ET0KPS77O45MQ6AED/Battonage++Alexandria+Sarovich.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Alexandria Sarovich - Level 2 Alexandria (Alex) Sarovich currently is the Wine Director at Little Saint, Single Thread’s more casual sister restaurant in Healdsburg, CA. Her goal is to build an accessible wine program and be part of a dedicated team committed to creating a unique gathering space that will foster and support the community. Alex's career in hospitality has included Single Thread, E2 Hospitality, and Melbourne’s fine dining, Attica. Alex’s love for all things food and wine began with the joy she experienced gathering around the dinner table with her family, this also inspired her to enroll in culinary school. While attending Johnson & Wales University she discovered an interest in wine and went on to complete a 6-week European wine program based in Germany where she expanded her wine knowledge exponentially. After graduation from JWU, she passed Level 2 Certified Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommeliers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854377322-JK38GK0B1DMI0E6C9YU4/36+-+Elizabeth+Dames.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Elizabeth Dames - Level 2 Elizabeth Dames is the Wine Director for Capital City Club, a private club in the Atlanta area, as well as the CEO for her own consulting company, Wine Entwined. She is Level 3 Certified with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and is a French Wine Scholar having passed with Highest Honors. Additionally, she is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is preparing to sit for the Master’s Level Exam in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854386664-BG2C03ZTNCA35U8D2ECZ/mc+in+japan+-+Mary+Catherine+Ve%C4%8Dko.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Mary Catherine Večko - Level 2 Previously a Bâtonnage Forum Level 2 Mentee in the Hospitality Industry Area of Focus, Mary Catherine Večko was recently promoted to Food and Beverage Assistant Manager at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in beautiful Blue River, BC. She completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust awards through the Advanced Level 3. Mac is into canned wine, sustainability initiatives, and wine writing. She is proud to have been named one of two Rioja Wine Academy Ambassadors through Femmes du Vin in October of this year. Follow along with her wine journey at @sipwriterepeat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854386156-OWHE0WIWRLJDWCVFI6ZA/Madison+at+LihoLiho+-+Madison+Michael.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Madison Michael - Level 2 Madison Michael is a 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry. She is a sommelier and a lover of all things sparkling. She has consulted on a variety of restaurant, bar, and hotel concepts. In 2018, she opened her own fine-dining restaurant, Merchant Roots, in the Fillmore District of San Francisco. In 2020, amid the height of the pandemic, she sold the restaurant to focus on another concept and co-founded an AI startup that produces an app for wine recommendations for novice wine lovers. Currently, she is the Director of Service for Osito & Liliana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854385581-WPRSWBTWYBPB51HHI18W/Caleb+Taft+-+Caleb+Taft.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Caleb Taft - Level 2 Born overseas, Caleb Taft spent his formative years in San Diego. After college, he began cooking professionally, but a move to San Francisco brought him into the world of wine. He worked as a retail wine buyer for a few years, before becoming the National Sales Manager for Vinum Cellars, where he sold wine in 30 states as well as a few international markets. Caleb then joined the staff of nopa restaurant as a manager in their first year of operations. He left to become the Wine Director and manager of Camino in Oakland and later returned to retail at Arlequin Wine Merchants in San Francisco. After a stint in sales, he helped open Nari Restaurant in San Francisco, where he helped build a diverse team focused on service and crafting guest experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642019466151-60XCZQYU3A3WBWTTBPTU/Alisha+Blackwell+Calvert.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Alisha Blackwell-Calvert - Level 2 Alisha Blackwell-Calvert is a Certified Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine from St. Louis, MO. She has worked several positions within the industry including serving, managing, wine sales, floor sommelier, wine retail, and beverage director. Her strengths are held in food and wine pairing and blind tasting theory. Blackwell-Calvert is currently an independent wine consultant, creating wine lists for clients, conducting staff trainings, and managing private cellars. You can follow her on Instagram at @exquisitevines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650645366223-WIGS97SQLL862KF14PVN/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Liz Martinez - Level 2 Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Liz’s career began at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO. After a move to San Francisco, her love of wine blossomed while working with Wine Director John Lancaster at Boulevard Restaurant. From there, Rick Bayless brought Liz on as Assistant Sommelier and Dining Room Manager of his award-winning restaurant Topolobampo in Chicago, where Liz devised a new cycle-of-service program and expediting-of-service system resulting in a James Beard nomination for outstanding service, two years in a row Liz now runs the Beverage program for a woman owned and women run hospitality group in Detroit, Backbone Hospitality. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650888050100-YYFYI09VJKC45X3P4THM/Elizabeth+H.+profile.jpg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Elizabeth Huettinger - Level 2 California native and James Beard Award Semifinalist for Outstanding Wine Program Elizabeth Huettinger has moved south along the California coast, pouring wine at some of the state's finest restaurants: Aubergine in Carmel, Spago in Beverly Hills, Addison where she oversaw a 3,500 selection wine list, and is now the Managing Partner for Grandes Places Selections. She also has her advanced diploma from the Court of Master Sommeliers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1607364202617-UVNF065Z9RVT7UYU4X01/fullsizeoutput_2826.jpeg Hospitality Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Barbara Haimes - Level 2 Barbara is a Bay Area wine and food trainer and educator. She got her start in the kitchen, cooking at several notable Northern California restaurants including Chez Panisse, Square One, and China Moon Café. She then moved to the Front-of-House, managing Zuni Café for four years. Shifting her focus to wine, she directed wine programs at China Moon Café, Stars, Vertigo, Café Rouge, and continues to run the wine program at Shakewell in Oakland, while consulting and teaching about wine and restaurant operations in City College of San Francisco’s Culinary and Hospitality Studies program. https://www.batonnageforum.com/viticulture-mentors-2022-level-2 daily 0.75 2023-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641794198270-BTNG3DSZP8JQ1JOJALVU/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Mary Maher - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641794198270-BTNG3DSZP8JQ1JOJALVU/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Mary Maher - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650481807981-BA512X5AIOT2RUWM45SD/Photo_Brianna+Beighle-jpeg.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Briana Beighle - Level 2 Brianna was drawn to wine at an early age for its ability to fuse science, nature and art into a single medium. She has pursued experiences in research, vineyard management and winemaking. Brianna obtained her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and was involved in research surrounding agricultural land succession and yeast metabolic capabilities. She continues to pursue knowledge and collaborate with industry experts in search of ways to tackle challenges in the vineyard and winery. Brianna is excited to help make the industry a sustainable and supportive place for those with a passion. Currently, Brianna is the Assistant Winemaker at Bryant Estate in Napa Valley and is also pursuing her MBA at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650482159622-7DHA31VI4M5CZ1ZP02YS/Gabrielle+Schaffer-jpeg.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Gabrielle Shaffer - Level 2 Gabrielle has worn many hats in the wine industry for nearly 25 years including retail purchasing and management, wholesale, imports, and finally landed where her true heart lies, in the vineyards. In 2009 she co-founded a Loire inspired boutique label, Gamling & McDuck, where her commercial winemaking began and juggled that while acting as head Viticulturist and Director of Customer Relations at Stagecoach Vineyard. In 2019 she moved to the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon to work as Viticulturist for Quail Run Vineyards covering 13 vineyards across the valley growing over 30 varieties of grapes while also starting winemaking in the region for her G&M label. She’s earned her Level 3 Sommelier Certification from the International Sommelier Guild, attended the winemaking program at Napa Valley College, and completed the CA University of Davis Extension program in Viticulture and Enology. She has served on boards and committees with the Rogue Valley Wine Association, Atlas Peak Appellation Association, Napa Valley Grape Growers, and Napa Valley Vintners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650482652888-C3S7FYR2Z2VEKKS27SV8/Amanda_Cihlar_Batonnage-jpeg.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Amanda Cihlar - Level 2 Amanda is a native Ohian who earned her B.S. in Environmental Horticulture from Clemson University and an M.S. in Horticulture & Agronomy with a focus in Viticulture and Soil Science from U.C. Davis. Before her winegrowing career, she dabbled in organic blueberry production. She has worked in various winegrowing regions including the Willamette Valley, Sonoma Valley, and the Napa Valley. She is currently Winery Relations and Viticulture Manager at Stagecoach Vineyard where she helps with the technical aspects of growing mountain fruit while selling to 70+ clients. Throughout her years in the industry, she has been an advocate for women in agriculture and feels that is her true passion, alongside farming wine grapes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650552827479-30M68GHNX528VG88U5XK/Ashley+Anderson+Bennett+photo.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Ashley Anderson Bennett - Level 2 Hands in the dirt and wine that tastes distinctly like where it was grown – these are two of Ashley’s favorite things. Ashley is the vineyard manager at Cain Vineyard and Winery. Her desire to be connected to the land and work with her hands began on family trips to her great grandparents’ farm in Kentucky. She studied Ecology and Environmental Studies at Vassar College and after stints in the Peace Corps, horticulture, and animal rescue eventually made her way out to California to explore the wine industry. She began as a vineyard technician at Cain in 1999 and was so fortunate to learn from an amazing hillside property, a dedicated crew, and many talented and generous industry professionals, including two who are fellow batonnage mentors. Ashley is passionate about organic farming and living soil and believes that the best wine comes from balanced vines that are deeply engaged with the earth. Currently she is knee-deep in redevelopment and fire recovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650896292094-XK1983USE7YPH2SK5XAW/Erin+Mason-jpeg.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Erin Mason - Level 2 My career in wine started like many: working in restaurants. I've been in hospitality for over 20 years and developed skills in nearly every front of the house position. I started with small, family establishments and progressed into management, directing my own beverage programs for a large, multi-concept restaurant group in Atlanta, GA. I completed certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018 and have extensive knowledge of restaurant operations, logistics, and staff training and education. In 2019, inspired by my travels through western Europe working on farms and in agrotourism, I decided to change the trajectory of my career and moved across the country to California for a harvest position in Monterey county. I've spent my time since in tasting rooms, wine production, and vineyard work. I am currently living and working at Paicines Ranch in San Benito county as a viticulture intern focused on regenerative agriculture, integrated livestock practices, and holistic management. This coming November 2022 will be my third as a volunteer on the logistics team for Big Sur Food and Wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650906507413-8ELW294S384CFMOYI75H/Allison+Wilson+profile.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Allison Cellini Wilson - Level 2 A Bay Area native studying Fruit Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Allison was unsure where an agriculture major would take her until she was drawn into the local wine industry and discovered viticulture. Eager to jump into the industry she joined Renteria Vineyard management in 2012 as an assistant viticulturist and since 2015 has been the Director of Vineyard Operations at Cliff Lede Vineyards where she is responsible for overseeing all farming and redevelopment of the winery’s three estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Carneros, and Calistoga AVAs. She works closely with the internal winemaking team to develop and implement the vineyard department’s farming protocols, while also managing all of Cliff Lede Vineyards’ external grower relations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650979071732-8T5JNQHT4Z60HO6YQSQG/Molly+Hodgins+profile+.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Molly Hodgins - Level 2 I am a native of upstate, New York, specifically Albany. I graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Biology. It was at Cornell that I got the wine bug, from a wine tasting elective. From there I moved to Boston to work in research labs as preparation for grad school where at first, I planned to get a PhD in Neuroscience. After four years, much reflection and wine tasting, I moved to Davis to pursue an MS in Horticulture focusing on Viticulture instead. I have always been drawn to growing things. My father was a horticulturist and he passed that interest on to me. After receiving my Master's degree at Davis, I worked as a vineyard intern at Silver Oak Cellars, and then at Stags' Leap Winery, where I became a Viticulture Assistant. From there I moved to Oregon to become the Viticulturist and Vineyard Manager at Chehalem Wines in 2008. After returning to California a few years later, I joined Komes and Garvey Ranches, a vineyard group that was affiliated with Flora Springs Winery, as their Viticulturist. In 2016 I left to come to Napa College where I am the full time Instructor of Viticulture and Vineyard Coordinator. I live in Napa with my husband and 3 children. I enjoy hiking, camping, running, travel, yoga, yard work (really) and spending time with my family! I currently serve on the NVC Viticulture and Winery Technology Foundation Board, the American Vineyard Foundation grant review team, and I do a bunch of volunteer work for our local public schools. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650979429915-ANQUA8ZBPX4UQ35VD3FL/Sophie+Drucker+profile.jpg Viticulture Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Sophie Drucker - Level 2 Sophie was initially drawn to the wine industry after becoming fascinated with its unique ability to combine science, gastronomy, art and culture. After completing her undergraduate studies at UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology she worked in vineyards and cellars throughout the Napa, Sonoma, Portugal, and New Zealand. Returning to California, she completed a master’s degree in Horticulture and Agronomy at UC Davis, with a focus on furthering the understanding of water use efficiency across a selection of grapevine rootstocks. From Davis she started working for Boisset Collection. 11 years later she is the Director of Winegrowing, overseeing estate vineyard management as well as grower relations for all the Boisset properties. Sophie sees herself as an applied ecologist, managing vineyards as ecosystems and striving to build biodiversity within the systems. She is excited to work with other passionate women and foster bright new energy for a rapidly changing industry. https://www.batonnageforum.com/cellarproduction-mentors-2022-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778568026-FDJAWT98MRVAA5CYK3FQ/Y+-+Natalie+Bath+-+Natalie+Bath.JPG Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Natalie Bath - Level 2 A native of St. Helena, California, Natalie Bath came back to the Napa Valley after graduating college with the intention of applying to law school. However, she fell back in love with the beauty of the Napa Valley and gained a new appreciation for wine while working at Angèle restaurant in Napa. Natalie started her career in winemaking working harvests at Etude, Villa Maria in New Zealand, and Littorai in Sebastopol, before joining Rudd Estate in 2012. Natalie joined the Winemaking team as a cellar hand, and was then promoted to oenologist in 2016 (the same year she travelled to Bordeaux to work harvest at Château Pétrus), Assistant Winemaker in 2017 at Rudd Estate, and Lead Winemaker for Crossroads in 2018. After nearly a decade influencing the wines both in the cellar and in the vineyards, Natalie became Winemaker of Rudd Estate in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778541834-OQA0VCP4WVTJCDRJB8B7/Y+-+Cathy+Corison.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Cathy Corison - Level 2 Cathy Corison, the first woman Winemaker-Proprietor in the Napa Valley, produces three Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, hand-crafted without compromise. Her wines are powerful and elegant at the same time, have a sense of place, and are structured to grace the table and enjoy a long, distinguished life. Cathy harvested her 35 th vintage of Corison in 2021! Academic preparation included a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA and an M.S. in Enology from U.C. Davis. Decades of winemaking for others, including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family Winery, Long Meadow Ranch and York Creek Vineyards, left her eager to express her own winemaking voice. She is guided by her belief that winemaking and wine appreciation are a timeless, creative celebration of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778540681-0964112I2N854DE23MCT/Y+-+Devyani+Gupta.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Devyani Gupta - Level 2 Devyani Isabel Gupta is the Winemaker & Viticulturist for Valdemar Estates, in Walla Walla, WA. She is a winemaker who brings a diverse background of skills and experience through her work in cognitive psychology research, direct wine sales, vineyard management, and enology. In 2019 she joined the Valdemar Family, where her wine program emphasizes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay from premier vineyards across the Columbia Valley. As a mentor, she aims to support, challenge, and empower her mentees. You can follow her on Instagram @devyaniisabel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782244676-DBINH5YQKQXGU8UXACEP/Allison+Tauziet+Photo+-+Allison+Tauziet.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Allison Tauziet - Level 2 As Director of Winemaking for Colgin Cellars, Allison Tauziet gives direction to Colgin’s vineyard teams and oversees the production of all Colgin wines. Intrigued by the adventure of her first grape harvest at Domaine Chandon in 1997, Allison studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis, pursuing degrees in both Fermentation Science and French. Post-graduation, she moved to France to work as an intern at the Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux. Upon returning to the U.S., she joined Far Niente Winery as an Enologist, then as Assistant Winemaker for 5 years. Allison joined Colgin Cellars in 2005 as Assistant Winemaker. She was promoted to Winemaker in 2007, and Director of Winemaking in 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778685575-1H9WYGH2K7OZJ5PPP57K/Y%2B-%2BCaitlin%2BLhommeau%2B-%2BBatonnage%2BPhoto%2B-%2BCaitlin%2BLhommeau.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Caitlin Lhommeau - Level 2 Caitlin Lhommeau found her passion for winemaking by happy accident in 2016 when she worked her first harvest during a gap year between college and medical school. She officially joined the industry full-time in 2017 and hasn’t looked back. On this journey, Caitlin has grown from cellar hand to director of winemaking at Tench Vineyards in Oakville and also has a small label of her own called L’Envolee. Caitlin is particularly fascinated by the science and the mystery of winemaking and how each bottle of wine tells a story: of place, of time, and of the people that brought it to life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778754212-R3WTHVXEV390MBY7CG37/Y%2B-%2BKelsey%2BIta%25CC%2588meri.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Kelsey Itämeri - Level 2 After graduating from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 2009, Kelsey Albro Itämeri worked in different roles including: political campaign manager, reality TV production assistant, executive assistant at Lionsgate Studios, sales and development manager at natural foods companies, and as bartender and food and beverage director in San Francisco. Tired of spending 50% of her income on rent, Kelsey moved back to Washington State. She spent the first year on her family’s farm in Walla Walla and then started working at a local winery. She enrolled in Walla Walla Community College’s Institute for Enology & Viticulture, fulfilling internships at Balboa Winery and The Walls Vineyards in Walla Walla and Domaine Jean Chartron in Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy. In 2019 Kelsey founded itä wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650734623206-13BLMFFSHPQC05INF086/20191018-ZJH_0102-Edit.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Maya Dalla Valle - Level 2 Maya Dalla Valle is a second generation winegrower at Dalla Valle Vineyards. She specializes in precision viticulture and winemaking, with attention to detail. The farming is done in house, organically and biodynamically. You can follow her on Instagram at @mayadv. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650887146481-W63CL4PQQQMJBY3M5P6X/Maura+Johnson.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Maura Johnson - Level 2 After growing up near the beaches of Orange County, Maura wanted a change of scenery and went to UC Davis to study Viticulture and Enology. During her junior year she did her first harvest with Beaulieu Vineyards working in the vineyards and cellar and got hooked on the rush of harvest. After graduating, she worked a flurry of harvests abroad, working in Australia twice, New Zealand and Germany, always returning to work harvest in Napa as well. In 2013, she settled down in Napa as Enologist at Miner Family Winery and was quickly promoted to Assistant Winemaker. Currently, she is Associate Winemaker at Dana Estates and has a small label of wine with her Husband called March Wines. Follow her instagram @maurac123 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778549495-A1YMELHNW0S7HJA11CRG/Y+-+Evyn+Cameron+PhotoEmmaKMorris-07573+-+.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Evyn Cameron - Level 2 Hailing from Wyckoff, New Jersey, Evyn Cameron is the Winemaker of Crocker & Starr Wines in St. Helena. She has had experience in viticulture and winemaking in both Napa and New Zealand as well as traveling through different winemaking regions in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. Starting her career in hospitality, working for Thomas Keller’s Per Se restaurant in Manhattan, inevitably led her to fulfill her dream of working in Napa to become a winemaker. Evyn has been fortunate to have multiple female mentors throughout her career which has made her realize the importance of support and continuing to make sure other women have the tools and guidance to be successful. Photo credit: Emma K. Morris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650890495996-OID0US3P3EOV648MBJT0/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar/Production Mentors 2022- Level 2 - Jessica Koga - Level 2 Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. You can follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://www.batonnageforum.com/marketing-communications-mentors-2022-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane LLC, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 (Copy) A native Californian, Katie started her career in the wine industry after working a grape harvest in Santiago, Chile while studying abroad. In 2009, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with degrees in Spanish and Global Studies, she moved to Logroño, Spain for three years and then to Dijon, France, where she earned her MSc degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, she’s worked in marketing and communications for international wineries through importer Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and as partner at O’Donnell Lane, driving communications and strategic planning. You can follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650480916873-8IZWLKPCITTM885AFIC7/Maria+Calvert+photo.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Maria Calvert - Level 2 Maria is a dedicated professional with more than ten years of experience in public relations. With a background in agency and in-house communications, she brings a rounded perspective to reputation management, focusing on media relations, integrated communications strategy, and cross-business collaboration. Before transitioning to wine, Maria was the V.P. of Global Communications at a currency broker on Wall Street. After several years in finance, in 2018, she decided to follow her palate to the wine industry, joining a renowned public relations agency in New York City, leading integrated communications campaigns for institutions/B2B and wine brands worldwide. Today, Maria's time is split between NYC and Washington D.C., working as a Public Relations Consultant and pursuing the WSET Level 2 certification. In 2020, Maria co-founded a passion project called Hispanics in Wine, a digital social hub that amplifies and supports Hispanics/LatinX alcohol and hospitality industry professionals. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion in the wine industry has been featured in national and international media publications, including recognition as 40 under 40 Tastemaker's List by Wine Enthusiast, Wine Business Monthly's Wine Industry Leaders 2021, and Imbibe's 75 People to Watch in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1651951894771-DZ86XBWOICYXS491MD2Z/B1_edited+-+Rebecca+Hopkins.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Rebecca Hopkins - Level 2 Rebecca Hopkins is an experienced wine communications strategist, speaker, moderator, host and writer. With a 26-year career in the wine business spanning Australia and the U.S., Rebecca founded and launched A Balanced Glass in March 2018 with a mission to provide education and resources to industry colleagues to help maintain health and well-being while working in the beverage alcohol industry. Raised in the premium wine region of McLaren Vale, South Australia, and a graduate of wine business from the University of Adelaide, Rebecca spent 15 years in the Australian wine industry in sales, marketing, and distribution roles before relocating to San Francisco in 2007 with Constellation Brands as Vice President of Public Relations and National Events. She returned to family winemaking in 2012, joining Michael Mondavi’s Folio Fine Wine Partners, where for 10 years she led communications strategy and programming for the 30+ family-owned producers who share a national marketing and sales presence in the US market. Rebecca has moderated and presented speaker panels at Women of the Vine & Spirits, VinItaly International, and Wine2Wine. A guest speaker at Sonoma State University, University of Bologna, and Australia’s Women in Wine Global Symposium, her work has been published in SevenFiftyDaily, Meininger’s Wine Business International magazine and Wine Business Monthly (AU). She resides in San Francisco and can often be found with yoga mat in hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670440583546-33S49YV2O3BSUSNQC9NK/Felicity_Carter+profile-jpeg.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Felicity Carter - Level 2 Felicity Carter is International Editor for Star Wine List in Sweden, as well as Editorial Director of ARENI Global, the London-based fine wine think tank. Previously she was founding Executive Editor of The Drop; an editorial consultant to Liv-ex, and Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, published by Meininger Verlag in Germany, which she built into a magazine read in 38 countries. An award-winning writer, she has written for numerous wine publications in the UK, Australia, Germany, Denmark and the USA, as well as the Guardian USA. A noted speaker, she has given keynote addresses at top industry conferences in Hong Kong, Portugal, New York, Sydney, London, and Verona, among others. Felicity is also a wine judge, and has judged at competitions from Tblisi, Georgia to Mundus Vini in Germany, to competitions in Portugal, Bordeaux and Luxemburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797405609-9B2VOAFLYRJOAF4V2N13/Erica1018+-+Erica+Duecy.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Erica Duecy - Level 2 Erica Duecy is an award-winning wine writer and editor. Currently, she is chief content officer of the wine-discovery platform Pix and its online magazine The Drop. Erica has run several publications as editor in chief, including VinePair and SevenFifty Daily, and has worked as digital director for Architectural Digest and Saveur. She is a judge for wine competitions and holds the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certification in Wine and Spirits. Erica is the author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House) and she writes a bimonthly, snackable wine newsletter called Bottle Service, highlighting sustainable wines in unexpected ways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797464958-195QS60OSU5Y0CSWUITS/Jee+Wong.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Jee Park - Level 2 Jee Park has over 20 years of experience in communications. She spent nearly 12 years at CBS News as a producer for the network’s morning show. Since leaving television, she has taken her producer skills and applied them to marketing, PR, corporate communications, and culinary event production. She has worked on several national epicurean events including the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, and Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. She also served as Director of Communications for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. In her current role at Magrino, she oversees accounts in wine, luxury travel, and consumer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670441714055-YZ7647RLVB7P06ZRPSEY/Headshot+2+-+Juliana+Colangelo.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Juliana Colangelo - Level 2 Juliana heads up the California division of Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. With over nearly 10 years in the agency, Juliana has managed multiple teams and divisions, as well as managed the execution of integrated communications for leading international and domestic wine companies such as Frescobaldi, Far Niente Wine Estates, Charles Krug and Jackson Family Wines. Since 2016, Juliana has led the development of the California office, bringing on representation of some of the industry’s leading wine companies, helping to increase the agency’s domestic business share and developing a talented team of 15 communications professionals for the agency’s domestic division. Along the way, Juliana has become a leading voice for the industry in marketing, communications strategy and career development serving as a mentor with Batonnage, and leading the agency’s pro bono initiatives with organizations such as the United Somm Foundation and the LatinX Wine Summit. Juliana completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University and in 2021 was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685027614154-LSCPD1ZNKDJYBKOA8RUN/DSC_0072%2Bslack%2B-%2BKatie%2BOwen.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Katie Owen - Level 2 Katie Owen is a trained Winemaker (MS Oenology, University of Adelaide) and holds the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits. She is currently the Director of Marketing for Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi Wines, Evening Land Vineyards, and Piedrasassi Wine & Bread. Katie previously worked in winemaking in Australia and the Napa Valley, as a Sommelier in various Los Angeles restaurants, and helped to lead product teams at two budding wine startups: Winc Wines and Nocking Point Wines. Today, Katie works with Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman to further develop the brands of their four wineries and increase direct to consumer sales through digital channels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642012428676-QV8CQVM8BPP0Y94DLU44/MichelleSchromm+headshot_Cropped.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Michelle Schromm - Level 2 Michelle Schromm is a wine industry professional with over ten years of experience in various sales and marketing roles, beginning at a high-end, boutique winery in Mendoza, Argentina, to managing Paul Hobbs’ international family of brands, and most recently, at RAEN winery. Some examples of her experience include team management, brand planning and launches for domestic and international wineries, and PR/communications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797423638-5S0CKAL0OFGA8RUCHFD2/VirginieBoone-8289+-+Virginie+Boone.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Virginie Boone - Level 2 Virginie Boone has written about and reviewed the wines of Napa and Sonoma for more than a decade, primarily for Wine Enthusiast Media, and is a resident of Sonoma County. She began her writing career with Lonely Planet travel guides and has written about wine, food and travel for Food & Wine, The Press Democrat, Sonoma Magazine, Pix.wine and others. She is the author of a weekly column for the Sonoma Winegrape Commission called “The Good Stuff,” which explores timely local topics in the worlds of agriculture and wine. She is a frequent speaker on California wine and a founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma County. Boone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s in Journalism from Stanford University. More about her can be found at virginieboone.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650645460135-UNIO3YB2BP9600N5OUF5/Katie+Calhoun.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2022-Level 2 - Katie Calhoun - Level 2 Katie has devoted her entire career to the wine and spirits industry, and today brings over 30 years of public relations expertise to Calhoun & Company Communications. Through her work with a wide variety of wine and spirits companies, Katie has developed a broad perspective on the industry and built strong relationships in the press. Katie’s palate and tasting skills have earned her a place among top wine and spirits professionals as a national competition judge. She has judged at the Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Monterey County Wine Competition, and San Francisco World Spirits Competition; she also served as a regular taster at Wine & Spirits Magazine for over a decade. Katie’s wine industry affiliations include membership with Women for WineSense, Family Winemakers of California, Society of Wine Educators, Association of African American Vintners, Women of the Vine & Spirits and serves as a mentor for Bâtonnage. In 2023 Katie joined the UC Davis Enology & Viticulture Executive Leadership Board. https://www.batonnageforum.com/team-batonnage daily 0.75 2026-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669523926828-JZKSQHON1Q6ZLG2O39QH/katie%252Bdigital.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Katie Canfield Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669523926828-JZKSQHON1Q6ZLG2O39QH/katie%252Bdigital.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Katie Canfield Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1687798002278-37HGDUTUGBAVYLSQR0A2/Untitled+design.png Team Bâtonnage - Michelle Schromm Michelle has been an active member of the Bâtonnage community since its first annual forum in 2018. She supported the organization’s Mentorship program for two years as a Level 1 and 2 Mentor (Marketing & Communications IAF), before being appointed as Executive Director in 2023. Her journey in the wine industry began over a decade ago in Mendoza, Argentina, where for over 5 years she led the Hospitality program at Pulenta Estate, as well as co-founded a nonprofit organization supporting vineyard workers and their families in the region’s wine country. She returned to the United States in 2015 to work for Paul Hobbs Wines in various Sales & Marketing roles, including import and export management and finally as Director of Marketing. In 2021, Michelle joined the environmentally passionate, and largely woman-run, team at Sonoma Coast’s RAEN Winery where today she serves as Director of Marketing and Direct Sales. Follow her - @lameech https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1736733717894-XKV46RUAAO8DZM9A7H8A/1.png Team Bâtonnage - Alexandria Sarovich With over fifteen years in the food and beverage industry, Alex's journey has been driven by a profound dedication to exceptional guest experiences and the empowerment of others in hospitality. As an Advanced Sommelier through CMS, she brings expert-level proficiency and an authentic passion for sharing knowledge that extends far beyond the glass. Now leading Own Rooted Hospitality, Alex focuses on transforming the hospitality landscape through innovative recruiting, comprehensive talent development programs, and strategic consulting. Her approach centers on building inclusive, dynamic teams while creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in the industry to thrive. Alex's expertise was cultivated at prestigious establishments including the three-Michelin-starred SingleThread and internationally acclaimed Attica in Melbourne, Australia. Her holistic approach to hospitality—whether discussing a modest $10 bottle or a luxurious $2,000 vintage—reflects her commitment to making wine accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Beyond her consulting work, Alex remains deeply committed to mentoring aspiring women in the wine industry. She serves on the board of Bâtonnage Mentorship Program. Her contributions to the field earned her recognition as VinePair's New Wave Sommelier of the Year in 2023, and her expertise has been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, Sonoma Magazine, Wine Spectator, San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and SOMM TV. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1737128740591-PA1ECZ3AWTZC7OCDSS39/4.png Team Bâtonnage - Chasity Cooper Chasity Cooper is a Chicago-based marketer, award-winning author, writer and wine culture expert. She has over a decade of professional experience in communications strategy, content creation, project management, and social media marketing. Named a 2024 Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker, Chasity’s goal as a wine professional is to make it more accessible and relatable through storytelling, education, and travel experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1737412908162-0SFUBG6V49G59XTEY6U8/Batonnage+Headshots-2.png Team Bâtonnage - Jee Park Jee Park’s career in storytelling began in broadcast journalism. She spent 12 years at CBS News as a producer for the network’s morning show, where she covered breaking-news events and created and produced sponsored franchise segments for the network. Since leaving broadcast news, she has applied her producer skills to marketing, PR, corporate communications, and culinary-event production. She has worked on several national events including the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, while also serving as the Director of Culinary Marketing and Experiential at Karlitz & Company, where she led the development and production of luxury experiences for clients such as American Express and JP Morgan Chase. Following her time at Karlitz, she joined Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group as Director of Communication. She is currently Chief Client Officer at Becca + Parrish Co. Prior to joining Becca + Parrish Co, she served as Executive Vice President at Magrino, working with brands in wine (Heitz Cellar, Robert Mondavi Winery, Whispering Angel to name a few), restaurants, hospitality, and consumer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669523363718-B01S6KXO6WJRD2SSWVR2/Jessica+Koga.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Jessica Koga Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1737041113465-O2LG1LO5VWG0MBHFEGX0/3.png Team Bâtonnage - Maria Calvert With over a decade of experience in public relations, Maria brings a rounded perspective to reputation management, integrated communications strategy, and cross-business collaboration. Before transitioning to wine, Maria was the V.P. of Global Communications at a currency broker on Wall Street. Today, she splits her time between NYC and Washington D.C., working as a public relations consultant and pursuing the WSET Level 2 certification. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is co-founder of nonprofit organization Hispanics in Wine. She has been recognized on the 40 under 40 Tastemaker's List by Wine Enthusiast and Wine Business Monthly's Wine Industry Leaders 2021, among other accolades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1736733875608-JXARTTRJV7DSL396KW97/2.png Team Bâtonnage - Michelle Egan Celebrating 25 years in the wine industry this year, Michelle brings extensive expertise in marketing, brand strategy, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth for luxury wineries. After graduating with a Marketing degree from the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management, her career began in sales at E&J Gallo Winery, where she honed her foundational skills for seven years. She then spent 11 years at Constellation Brands, rising to Vice President of Fine Wine Marketing and DTC. This was followed by a role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Realm Cellars, where she further developed her expertise in the luxury wine segment. Most recently, Michelle served as VP of Marketing and DTC at Terlato Wine Group, overseeing prestigious family estate brands, including Chimney Rock, Sanford, Rutherford Hill, and Klipsun. Today, Michelle leads a consultancy specializing in bespoke marketing, brand strategy, and DTC solutions for wineries. Her expertise includes optimizing CRM systems to enhance customer loyalty and retention, developing tailored allocation models for boutique wineries, and crafting compelling customer journey strategies, including email automation and segmentation, to drive engagement and lifetime value. She provides winery teams strategic guidance and hands-on training, enhancing hospitality experiences across multiple tasting rooms. Michelle resides in Napa Valley with her family and Chocolate Labrador. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1736733889781-YCW7J3P9EPNVQISZXQEE/5.png Team Bâtonnage - Michelle Schromm Michelle began her wine career at 23 years old in Mendoza, Argentina, where she ran the Hospitality program for a boutique, high-end winery at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. During her time in Mendoza, she also co-founded and directed a non-profit that supported vineyard workers and day laborers in the rural areas surrounding the wineries through carious educational programs. After seven years living in Mendoza, she returned to the U.S. to work for Paul Hobbs Wines, where her six-year tenure included various roles in Sales and Marketing, and in 2021, she was thrilled at the opportunity to work for the young, passionate team of RAEN Winery on the Sonoma Coast, where she is the General Manager. Michelle has been a Bâtonnage mentor for the last two years after having attended the annual forums since its beginning in 2018 and is passionate about, and dedicated to, the work the organization is spearheading for women in the wine industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669570068925-PYXSMQQANAHIPKFV2TX9/ella.png Team Bâtonnage - Ella Winje Born and raised in California, Ella received her B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology at University of California, Berkeley. Wanting to pair her love for being active and outside with her biology background, Ella worked her first harvest in Livermore while finishing up her final year at Berkeley and realized that tasting wine for a living wasn’t a bad direction to go. Following her studies, Ella continued to pursue wine in the lab at Cakebread Cellars for a few years, before deciding she wanted to get back in touch with the cellar through a harvest abroad in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Since being back, she has worked in Calistoga and Healdsburg, increasing her love for VA’s and heat stability tests. Ella transitioned to Marketing and Events Coordinator at O’Donnell Lane in early 2020, with work ranging from event logistics, to planning and executing, to PR and marketing, and hasn’t looked back. If she isn’t at work, you can find her running through Petaluma or trying to ferment focaccia, cider, and wine in her garage. Don’t try to find her on Instagram … she isn’t there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712007961916-EIJSBV13I0IORREL4OEK/Batonnage+Headshots.png Team Bâtonnage - Rachel DelRocco Terrazas Rachel DelRocco Terrazas is a Tucson, Arizona-based media consultant, writer, and editor with 20 years of experience in the beverage and hospitality industries. Her clients include international conferences, importers, wineries, editorial projects, and more. Her writing appears in Eater National, Edible Houston, Somm Journal, The Tasting Panel, and Barleycorn Drinks. She was formerly Editor-in-Chief at Armenia-based Origins Magazine, Associate Editor and Spirits Writer at Wine & Spirits Magazine, and Editor-in-Chief at The Vintner Project. She has also served as an editor-mentor at the 2020 TexSom International Wine Awards. Rachel has won numerous awards and has been included as one of the Imbibe 75, FSR’s 40 Under 40, and an Eater Young Gun in 2015. She also holds the title of 2016 TexSom Best Sommelier. Rachel is a spirits judge for John Barleycorn and the American Craft Spirits Association. In addition, Rachel has spoken at conferences such as TexSom, Tales of the Cocktail, BevCon, Bar Convent Brooklyn, San Antonio Cocktail Conference, and has been interviewed on multiple podcasts. She is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Cava Ambassador and Educator with DO Cava. You can find her on social media @racheldelrocco on Instagram and Facebook. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1665356769239-9TZ1PJH3RHFDH9HDLBFG/priyanka+french+2.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Priyanka French Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1665356934682-1UKWO8MWES3QVQ9ZBW1N/Sarah+Bray+-+Douro+Valley+Headshot.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Sarah Bray A co-founder of Bâtonnage Forum, Sarah is a wine writer and educator at The Learning Center at Meadowood as the Associate Director of Wine Education. She recently moved to Napa in 2020 after over a decade split between New York and Europe, working first in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and then later Sotheby’s, before striking out on her own. She spent several years as an international marketing consultant and educator, working with top estates across Europe. She has been a contributor to Food & Wine, The Sommelier Journal, Departures, SAVEUR, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, and other publications. She holds the highest-level recognition from the internationally renowned Wines & Spirits Education Trust, Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @sarah.h.bray. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1665356556719-3ZFSS3VT2WX0Z8SK0LQ5/Stevie+Stacionis.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Stevie Stacionis Stevie is the visionary and founder behind Bâtonnage as well as co-owner of the acclaimed restaurant MAMA Oakland and Bay Grape wine shop in Oakland, California. Along with her husband and business partner Josiah Baldivino, Stevie was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Stevie originally began working in hospitality during high school and college to pay her way through the University of Southern California. After graduating magna cum laude, Stevie traded her apron for a laptop and a career in food, wine and travel writing. Post editorial-era (including published pieces in Wine & Spirits, SF Chronicle and Wine Enthusiast), Stevie managed communication, media, marketing and brand strategy for Corkbuzz Wine Studio, Crush Wine & Spirits, and the Guild of Sommeliers before launching her own brands focused on community and education in the wine and hospitality industry. Stevie is a Certified Sommelier as well as a kick-ass wife and the insanely proud mother of a miracle son. Follow her on Instagram @steviestacionis, @baygrape, and @mamaoakland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1687797851436-YSD4PR0LU481AW4T2C7E/Untitled+design-2.png Team Bâtonnage - Shakera Jones Shakera Jones is a NYC-based food and wine writer, host, podcaster and educator. Hosting her show Weekly Wines, on SommTV, Shakera explores varietals and production regions to broaden the palates of her followers. All while she breaks down the intimidating barriers often associated with the world of fine wines. Shakera has created a community that supports and promote and supports diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for women and other underrepresented groups in the culinary and fine wine industries. Season 2 of her Podcast : A Glass for Every Palate premiers in Fall of 2023. Follow her at @blackgirlsdinetoo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1687797854063-BO7ZGBB8Y09ZFGLDKA0N/Untitled+design-5.png Team Bâtonnage - Cassie Newman For the past 20 years, Cassie Newman has been bouncing back and forth between front of house roles in the restaurant industry and leadership roles in nonprofit arts organizations. Originally from Aspen, Colorado, Cassie received her BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Her early wine mentors were hospitality leaders (both men and women) in New York City. She and her family recently moved from Oakland, CA to Sonoma County and she is a proud member of the wine team at Little Saint in Healdsburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670886167954-CHQZPKLCS8II10789U4H/Mary+Maher.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Mary Maher Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669516014553-1HAL2TPXBF8GPLGOFCQA/anitha+gandhi.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Anitha Gandhi A theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, Anitha works in NYC and is always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. Follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669516819157-FU35S5ZE8MDRXITSA26H/Liz+Martinez.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Liz Martinez Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1703703623137-TM4HURA61PBJWQCI6RLC/Untitled+design.png Team Bâtonnage - Emily Porter With a career spanning over 22 years, Emily Porter has established herself as a dedicated wine business educator and strategist. Currently, she plays a dual role at Sonoma State University, both for the Wine Business Institute (WBI) and the SSU MBA Programs. Emily, an alumna herself with an Executive Wine MBA achieved in 2021, now applies her extensive industry knowledge to recruit and mentor the next generation of wine business leaders. Before her tenure at SSU, Emily's diverse experiences ranged from vineyard labor in Australia to wine sales in San Francisco and beyond. Her career began at Frog’s Leap Winery in Napa, where she discovered her life’s calling in the business of wine. This revelation propelled her through notable roles in sales and distribution, representing esteemed names such as E&J Gallo, Wine Warehouse, and Trefethen Family Vineyards across the West Coast. Her diverse experiences and accomplishments make her a well-rounded professional with insights into multiple facets of the business of wine and is eager to serve with the women of Bâtonnage to foster the next generations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669516194289-K8U5IDI5KC68WBXWPPUQ/Terah.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Terah Bajjalieh A native Californian, Terah refined her unique style and found her love of wine by way of food and from her travels across the globe. She started her professional career in the hospitality industry studying at the International Culinary Institute in California. She then spent time working in wine bars, a Michelin-starred restaurant, wine education, and consulting in the Bay Area. Terah has studied in both Spain and France and has worked 13 harvests in wine regions across five countries, including France (Meursault), Australia (Barossa Valley), New Zealand (Marlborough), Argentina (Mendoza), and the U.S. (Sonoma, Napa Valley, and Willamette Valley). Terah holds a BS in finance from San Jose State University and a master's degree in enology and viticulture from SupAgro in Montepellier, France. She is a Level 2 Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master and holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wine & Spirits. She currently is the head winemaker for Dorcich Family Vineyards and, in 2020, started her personal wine label and consulting company called Terah Wine Co. Follow her on Instagram at @terahwineco and @terahwinecompany. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1688163821872-5BU0M16I00XII3HOZ8RC/Untitled+design-4.png Team Bâtonnage - Erica Duecy Erica Duecy is one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. She is co-founder of Business of Drinks, a podcast and content consultancy, and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other LinkedInhospitality and drinks tech companies. She also has led digital editorial teams at Architectural Digest and Saveur magazines, among others. Her content, podcast, and video programs have won more than 40 digital and editorial awards. She is a WSET Advanced-certified wine and spirits communicator, wine judge, and author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House), about the real-life stories behind the world’s most famous cocktails. Follow her on LinkedIn or Instagram. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1669570073004-DDK5OLFERK27ZKRE64ZT/rebecca.png Team Bâtonnage - Rebecca Johnson Rebecca has been in the event industry since 2003. Following a career as an elementary school teacher in Northern California, she began planning private events for wineries around Sonoma and Napa counties to great success. Since then, Rebecca has applied her talent and passion for wedding and event planning with Rebecca Johnson Design, producing exquisite high-end luxury weddings in wine country and San Francisco, as well as Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Carmel, and Lake Tahoe. Upon joining O’Donnell Lane in 2012 and becoming partner in 2018, she has broadened her focus, drawing on her strong relationships with the highest level and most sought-after vendors in the catering, floral, photography, and music industries to produce corporate and wine trade events. Whether it is an event for 25 wine writers or 2,000 trade and media personnel, Rebecca combines her attention to detail with excellent communication skills to create spectacular events tailored to each client request. Follow her on Instagram @rebeccajohnsondesign and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1665359014472-EHSL5ALAWXR8HGBK1VTI/annette+alvarez+peters.jpg Team Bâtonnage - Annette Alvarez-Peters Annette Alvarez-Peters is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising strategies for the wine and spirits industry. Annette sits on the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines and MISA Imports, a global importer and distributor for wine and spirits. In addition, she is involved and serves as a Mentor with non-profit organization Wine Unify, an organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry and involved with the Batonnage Forum Mentorship program as the Head of Industry Area of Focus for Retail, an organization designed to stir up conversations about equality and forward progress for women in wine. Annette previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale - including 25 years in the beverage alcohol department, where she led the buying team for the USA. Annette retired in 2020 as Asst. Vice President / GMM. Alvarez-Peters was named as a top leader in the wine industry by M. Shanken Communications, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Decanter. She holds the Diploma certification from Wine & Spirit Education Trust, along with a Certified Wine Educator certificate from Society of Wine Educators. Annette has been inducted into the following associations: Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc; Champagne’s Ordre des Coteaux des Champagne and Chateauneuf du Pape Echansonnerie des Papes. https://www.batonnageforum.com/marketing-comms-2023-level-1 daily 0.75 2023-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane LLC, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane LLC, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642012428676-QV8CQVM8BPP0Y94DLU44/MichelleSchromm+headshot_Cropped.png Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Michelle Schromm - Level 1 Michelle Schromm is a wine industry professional with over ten years of experience in various sales and marketing roles, beginning at a high-end, boutique winery in Mendoza, Argentina, to managing Paul Hobbs’ international family of brands, and most recently, at RAEN winery. Some examples of her experience include team management, brand planning and launches for domestic and international wineries, and PR/communications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797405609-9B2VOAFLYRJOAF4V2N13/Erica1018+-+Erica+Duecy.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Erica Duecy - Level 1 Erica Duecy is one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. Formerly the Chief Content Officer for the wine-discovery platform Pix, she oversaw the rapid rise of its magazine The Drop, named as one of the best wine sites by the Wall Street Journal in 2022. Previously, Erica worked as Editor in Chief for the American wine/spirits publications VinePair and SevenFifty Daily. She has also led digital editorial teams at Architectural Digest and Saveur magazines. Her content and video programs have won more than 40 digital and editorial awards. As a consultant, she has built publishing and communications programs for Drizly, InHouse, and others. She holds the WSET Advanced certification and is a Diploma candidate. Erica is the author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House), about the real-life stories behind the world’s most famous cocktails. She also writes a wine newsletter called Bottle Service, highlighting sustainable wines in unexpected ways. Follow her on Instagram @ericaduecy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670440583546-33S49YV2O3BSUSNQC9NK/Felicity_Carter+profile-jpeg.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Felicity Carter - Level 1 Felicity Carter is International Editor for Star Wine List in Sweden, as well as Editorial Director of ARENI Global, the London-based fine wine think tank. Previously she was founding Executive Editor of The Drop; an editorial consultant to Liv-ex, and Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, published by Meininger Verlag in Germany, which she built into a magazine read in 38 countries. An award-winning writer, she has written for numerous wine publications in the UK, Australia, Germany, Denmark and the USA, as well as the Guardian USA. A noted speaker, she has given keynote addresses at top industry conferences in Hong Kong, Portugal, New York, Sydney, London, and Verona, among others. Felicity is also a wine judge, and has judged at competitions from Tblisi, Georgia to Mundus Vini in Germany, to competitions in Portugal, Bordeaux and Luxemburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797423638-5S0CKAL0OFGA8RUCHFD2/VirginieBoone-8289+-+Virginie+Boone.png Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Virginie Boone - Level 1 Virginie Boone has written about and reviewed the wines of Napa and Sonoma for more than a decade, primarily for Wine Enthusiast Media, and is a resident of Sonoma County. She began her writing career with Lonely Planet travel guides and has written about wine, food and travel for Food & Wine, The Press Democrat, Sonoma Magazine, Pix.wine and others. She is the author of a weekly column for the Sonoma Winegrape Commission called “The Good Stuff,” which explores timely local topics in the worlds of agriculture and wine. She is a frequent speaker on California wine and a founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma County. Boone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s in Journalism from Stanford University. More about her can be found at virginieboone.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898080610-EGVXLBQ2N1KJU2P31YDG/Maria+Calvert+photo.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Maria Calvert - Level 1 Maria is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in public relations. With a background in agency and in-house communications, she brings a rounded perspective to reputation management, focusing on media relations, integrated communications strategy, and cross-business collaboration. Before transitioning to wine, Maria was the V.P. of Global Communications at a currency broker on Wall Street. After several years in finance, in 2018, she decided to follow her palate to the wine industry, joining a renowned public relations agency in New York City, leading integrated communications campaigns for institutions/B2B and wine brands worldwide. Today, Maria's time is between NYC and Washington D.C., working as a Public Relations Consultant and pursuing the WSET Level 2 certification. Maria co-founded the nonprofit organization Hispanics in Wine, which amplifies and supports Hispanics/LatinX alcohol and hospitality industry professionals. She also co-created the annual LatinX Wine Summit, a one-day event that serves as an educational vehicle to share the impact of the Hispanic/LatinX contributions to the wine industry. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion in the wine industry has been featured in national and international media publications, including recognition as 40 under 40 Tastemaker's List by Wine Enthusiast, Wine Business Monthly's Wine Industry Leaders 2021, and Imbibe's 75 People to Watch in 2022. Follow her on Instagram @mariarcalvert, @hispanicsinwine, and @latinxwinesummit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670441714055-YZ7647RLVB7P06ZRPSEY/Headshot+2+-+Juliana+Colangelo.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Juliana Colangelo - Level 1 Juliana heads up the California division of Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. With over nearly 10 years in the agency, Juliana has managed multiple teams and divisions, as well as managed the execution of integrated communications for leading international and domestic wine companies such as Frescobaldi, Far Niente Wine Estates, Charles Krug and Jackson Family Wines. Since 2016, Juliana has led the development of the California office, bringing on representation of some of the industry’s leading wine companies, helping to increase the agency’s domestic business share and developing a talented team of 15 communications professionals for the agency’s domestic division. Along the way, Juliana has become a leading voice for the industry in marketing, communications strategy and career development serving as a mentor with Batonnage, and leading the agency’s pro bono initiatives with organizations such as the United Somm Foundation and the LatinX Wine Summit. Juliana completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University and in 2021 was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670478571659-J37R5Q7K1GST8TGDVV92/Marlena+Glenn2.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Marlena Glenn Blitz - Level 1 Currently, Marlena is the Director of Partnerships at Provi coupling her client relationship, strategic planning and project management skills. Previous to her role at Provi, Marlena had over seven years of experience at Beverage Media (including two years at SevenFifty) where she combined her love of people and problem solving to wear many hats as “Marketing and Communications Manager.” A true utility player, Marlena has worked concurrently on business and strategy while managing marketing and communications, contributing to editorial, and flexing her commercial savvy. With a passion and degree in theater arts and psychology from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Marlena brings her insatiable intellectual curiosity to every element of the beverage alcohol industry and loves to connect with all three tiers of the trade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670563821795-FRPF52CCDWGNKRGL00WC/Heather+Bradshaw.jpeg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Heather Bradshaw - Level 1 Heather Bradshaw is the Communications Director at the Washington State Wine Commission, where she manages strategic communications, industry outreach and media relations. Heather has been in the wine industry for 10 years, with previous experience at the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance and Jackson Family Wines. She began her career as a journalist, working at TV stations in Yakima and Seattle. A University of Washington graduate and native of Vancouver, Washington, Heather now lives in beautiful Snohomish, Washington with her husband and two very busy small children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670563989938-5RFRSC5SJINU6OFYQPQ3/Samantha+Cole+Johnson.JPG Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Samantha Cole-Johnson - Level 1 Samantha Cole-Johnson is an American wine writer and reviewer. In 2022, she became the US Pacific Northwest specialist for JancisRobinson.com and the Oregon contributor for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. When she’s not writing, she teaches WSET at Portland’s Wine and Spirit Archive. Her interests are firmly rooted in regenerative farming and fair worker treatment. She believes a winemaker is only as good as their vineyard crew and that ‘unskilled labor’ doesn’t exist in superlative viticulture. She is committed to highlighting the link between quality wine and the quality people that are necessary for its production. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670727645802-GV4ZJE6N3JRFZTQ2CQ75/Erin+Smith+pic.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 1 - Erin Smith - Level 1 Born and raised in California, Erin first fell in love with wine while attending university in Santa Barbara, California. She went on to work in finance for nearly a decade, before moving to Burgundy to pursue a career in wine. She landed in the UK working for one of the oldest publications in the UK, Harpers Wine and Spirits Magazine as a deputy editor. From there she cut her teeth in retail, transitioning to marketing and working with some of the biggest independent wine retailers and brands—as Head of Brand Marketing for Majestic Wine and now Digital Marketing Director for Slurp—in one of the most competitive wine retail markets out there. https://www.batonnageforum.com/hospitality-2023-level-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729197050-6FFKSUBMK0QYSVBVBX3G/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Liz Martinez - Program Lead Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729197050-6FFKSUBMK0QYSVBVBX3G/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Liz Martinez - Program Lead Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854377322-JK38GK0B1DMI0E6C9YU4/36+-+Elizabeth+Dames.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Elizabeth Dames - Level 1 Elizabeth Dames is a passionate and engaging wine professional with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has passed the first examination for the Diploma Certificate with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust with merit, passed her French Wine Scholar with highest honors, and recently sat for the Master Examination for the Court of Master Sommeliers. Her experience spans restaurants, hotels, catering, and private clubs, all of which has helped cultivate her unique breadth of knowledge for hospitality. She spent 6 years at Allegheny Country Club in Pittsburgh, PA as their Wine Director, and is now currently the Wine Director/Sommelier at Capital City Club in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, in 2018 she started her own wine consulting company called Wine Entwined in which she hosts virtual and in-person events, curates and manages private cellars, provides pairing and purchasing advice, and hosts private wine tours. In addition to her wine life, she is a mother of two, and wife to an amazing partner, Timm Dames who is the reason she is able to pursue her passion for wine, and supports her fully! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854385581-WPRSWBTWYBPB51HHI18W/Caleb+Taft+-+Caleb+Taft.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Caleb Taft - Level 1 Born overseas, Caleb spent his formative years in San Diego. After college, Caleb began cooking professionally, but a move to San Francisco brought him into the world of wine. He worked as a retail wine buyer for a few years, before becoming the National Sales Manager for Vinum Cellars, where he sold wine in 30 states as well as a few international markets. After Vinum Cellars, Caleb joined the staff of nopa restaurant as a manager in their first year of operations. It was a masterclass in service, food and wine, and the restaurant would anchor and eventually help revitalize the neighborhood. He later left to become the Wine Director and manager of Camino, in Oakland. Led by Chez Panisse alum Russell Moore, Camino specialized in hearth-cooked foods, with a concise, all-organic wine list. Caleb later returned to retail at Arlequin Wine Merchants in SF, which has a legendary cellar stocked with deep verticals of the best producers from Burgundy, the Loire Valley and California. Caleb returned to sales for a time, before helping to open Nari Restaurant in San Francisco. Owned by Pim Techamuanvivit, Caleb built a diverse team focused on service and crafting experiences at a very personal and restaurant that challenged guest palates and fine dining conventions. Follow him on Instagram @organolepticon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670728578971-AM748OOB7YGNC3WY7DJV/mc+in+japan+-+Mary+Catherine+Vec%CC%8Cko.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Mary Catherine Večko - Level 1 Previously a Bâtonnage Forum Level 2 Mentee with an Industry Area of Focus of Hospitality, Mary Catherine has served as a Level 1 and Level 2 mentor for Bâtonnage Forum in the same industry area of focus. After almost six years of professional presence at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in beautiful Blue River, BC, including a recent role as Food and Beverage Assistant Manager. Mary Catherine is thrilled to be transitioning to a post as Sommelier at the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, where she will be trading the mountains for the ocean while still making the best pour decisions. Mary Catherine holds her WSET Level 2 in Wines and Spirits certification and is currently studying for the WSET Level 3 in Wines and Spanish Wine Scholar. MC is into canned wine, sustainability initiatives, and wine writing. She is proud to have been named one of two Rioja Wine Academy Ambassadors through Femmes du Vin in October of last year. This year Mary Catherine was awarded the Wine Professional Scholarship from the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Through the joint coaching and mentorship program run by Dream Big Darling and The Millinger Group, she was named a FLOurish Scholar. She was also accepted to the Wine Writers’ Symposium of Meadowood Napa Valley and Napa Valley Vintners, and Women of the Wine and Spirits granted her a Foundation Scholarship Applicant Access Membership. As a #portgeek, she highly recommends the free online courses offered through the School of Port: schoolofport.com/course.php. Follow her on Instagram @sipwriterepeat and check out her wine writing at amphictyonis.wixsite.com/bloodandgravel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670728548753-GM0XVU77984WLQU5WO0W/Cristina+Mascanzoni+Kaiser+Wine.JPG Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Cristina Mascanzoni Kaiser - Level 1 Educated at Cornell University in Marketing, Cristina has always worked in the world of hospitality. Daughter of hoteliers on Lake Garda, she worked at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, the Grand Hotel in Rimini and numerous other European luxury hotels. 5 years ago she created Club Appeal, a consulting company specializing in luxury hospitality with a focus on the world of golf and wine, which she promoted with her own exclusive brand WineHO. Sommellier, WSET certified, Cristina is a professor and lecturer at CUOA Business School in the Master of Wine Business and speaker at numerous international conferences (e.g. IWINETC, Tebec, Atlas) related to the world of wine tourism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729460331-QUCH3MQTPJCCBMY9VL48/Ana+Keller.jpeg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Ana Keller - Level 1 As a biochemistry student, Ana knew she wanted to work with plants. After taking over the reins in 1998, Ana worked to create wines that reflect a sense of place, while in harmony with the family's approach to elegant, age-worthy, and food-friendly wines. In 2013 Ana joined the Petaluma Gap WineGrowers Alliance's board and was instrumental in creating the Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA) which was ultimately granted in 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729625845-S602S2R580318VKKS007/Tracey-Hoff-outdoors-horiz.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Tracey Hoff - Level 1 Tracey Hoff has a long history in the hospitality and wine industry with companies such as Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Steven Kent Portfolio, Hyatt Hotels and Capital Restaurant Concepts. Currently, Tracey is the Director, Estates and Portfolio for Crimson Wine Group, where she oversees the direct-to-consumer business of six wine estates across California, Oregon and Washington. She leads a team that orchestrates memorable guest experiences for over 70,000 guests and 16,000 club members each year, delivering over $9M in revenue. She holds a Level III certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729628177-6T6CL10EEEJVOUTZHMBQ/Haley+Moore.jpeg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Haley Moore - Level 1 Haley Moore is the Founder of Acquire: a hospitality company in San Francisco CA, that is centered around bringing people together over food and wine. Acquire curates in person and virtual wine experiences, manages cellars for private clients and consults on beverage programs for restaurants across the country. Moore spent 15 years as a Sommelier and Wine Director in San Francisco, California. Her career galvanized in 2007, when she became the Wine Director at bacar at the age of 24. In 2009, she became the Lead Sommelier at Spruce, a one Michelin starred restaurant with a Grand Award-Winning wine list from the Wine Spectator. In 2012, she joined Stock & Bones as their Wine and Spirits Director overseeing four restaurants: Town Hall, Salt House, Anchor & Hope and Jersey in San Francisco. Today, she consults as Wine Director for Empress by Boon in San Francisco's Chinatown. She passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Exam in 2006 and is currently wrapping up the WSET Diploma Program. Next, she plans to pursue the Master of Wine Diploma, which is one of the highest achievements in the world of wine. Haley has been featured in articles both locally and nationally including: Forbes, Food & Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, The San Francisco Chronicle, MORE Magazine, The Sommelier Journal, and was named one of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s ‘Top 30 under 30’ Hospitality Professionals of America in 2008. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650390540889-VFVZSKKEWA3GOKN4GBVG/Batonnage+Photo+-+Amy+Karasavas.JPG Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Amy Karasavas - Level 1 Amy Karasavas is the founder and sommelier of That Pour Woman located in Brooklyn, NY. Her company offers public and private wine tastings and classes. She is currently a WSET Level 4 Diploma candidate. In addition, she has received her sommelier certification with distinction from the Sommelier Society of America along with her WSET Level 3 certification with distinction. Karasavas currently works at Pasanella and Son Vintners in New York Manhattan's South Street Seaport. Prior retail experience was at the neighborhood boutique shop Blanc et Rouge Wine & Spirits in Brooklyn, NY. Her experiences lie in wine education, blind tasting training, and the ins and outs of wine retail. Retail environments are a great way to engage with consumers and build relationships. Working in a wine shop also provides the ability to learn about industry trends, specific producers, wine regions and wine styles. Amy has traveled to some of the world’s famous wine regions to enhance her education. She has visited France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Chile, Greece and the USA. While no two paths are the same, Amy’s path in wine was not traditional. As a mentor, it’s about understanding what will best serve the mentee in realizing their goals and honing their own unique path. It’s about being supportive in their endeavors big and small and championing them throughout their wine journey. Amy will help mentees create a plan around their retail goals with regular check-ins to measure progress and adjust the plan as necessary. She can also provide any education and work with the mentee to build their skills and confidence. Amy's hobbies include sipping wine, singing, playing with her two dogs, reading, cooking, and learning Portuguese. When Amy’s not drinking wine, she's drinking whisky, sake, cider, and beer (and water of course!). Follow Amy on Instagram @thatpourwoman. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670781562155-DV2O84N00JCXTWWGVFXF/Michaela+Kelly.jpeg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Michaela Kelly - Level 1 Michaela comes to Napa by way of Chicago where she fell in love with wine while bartending at an Alinea Group Restaurant called Roister. After deciding to further her wine education, she transitioned to the sommelier team at Alinea, where she worked up until July 2020. Her long-term goal was always to move to the Napa Valley. When an opportunity to do a harvest internship with Schramsberg was offered, plans were accelerated. Following harvest, Michaela joined the team at PRESS and became the Assistant General Manager shortly after. With a background in theater and dance, the narrative that wine presents has always resonated with Michaela. The rich history of Stony Hill Vineyard caught her attention early on in her wine studies with the Napa Valley. Michaela holds the role of Estate Director with the passion of continuing the story and legacy of those before her and is honored to curate the next chapter of what Stony Hill has to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670869308822-YAVUCWSPC3NBV38K5O3J/Tiffany+Tobey.jpg Hospitality 2023-Level 1 - Tiffany Tobey - Level 1 Tiffany Tobey is Wine Director at the Tower Club in downtown Dallas, TX. Previously she was the wine director at SER Steak + Spirits at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, where she built an award-winning wine program and collection. Most recently Tiffany was part of Major Food Group and opened the New York Michelin Star restaurant concept, Carbone here in the Dallas Design district. Tiffany has judged multiple years at various wine competitions and has consulted for multiple publications including Tasting Panel Magazine, VinePair, Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine Magazine, and more. Tiffany graduated from Texas Tech University with dual Bachelor's degrees from Texas Tech University in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHIM) and English. She is currently pursuing her Graduate Degree in Viticulture at Texas Tech University and she is a Certified Level II Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. https://www.batonnageforum.com/cellar-production-2023-level-1 daily 0.75 2023-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731004263-49SH53KZWPR9BK02UWER/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Jessica Koga - Program Lead Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731004263-49SH53KZWPR9BK02UWER/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Jessica Koga - Program Lead Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778540681-0964112I2N854DE23MCT/Y+-+Devyani+Gupta.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Devyani Gupta - Level 1 Devyani Isabel Gupta is the Head Winemaker & Viticulturist for Valdemar Estates, in Walla Walla, WA. She brings a diverse background of skills and experience through her work in research, sales, vineyard management, and enology. As a part of the international Valdemar Family wine brand, Devyani values their commitment to accessibility, innovation, and pioneering spirit. Her wine program focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay from premier vineyards across the Columbia Valley. As a mentor, she aims to support, challenge, and empower her mentees. Follow her on Instagram @devyaniisabel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730703961-II3QI0I9L7G5X23IATAP/Julie+Lumgair.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Julie Lumgair - Level 1 Julie Lumgair is an award-winning consulting and hands-on winemaker. Her wines span eighteen vintages and 25 varietals from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Italy. She has served in many combined estate winemaking and winegrowing roles with a keen eye on agricultural and cellar practices increasing both sustainability and top quality. Her calling cards are consistently producing acclaimed wines that reflect their place, excellence in winery operations, substantial innovation and trial programs feasible for artisan wineries’ scale, a passionate attention to customer delight and long lasting relationships. Julie is a 5th generation Tennessee family farmer, who honed her sensory science, new product development, team building and executive leadership in her first career at Procter & Gamble and other noted Fortune 100 firms for 15 years. That experience, along with her "roll up the sleeves" work ethic, plus technical and analytical skills learned on the job from many mentors in the vineyards and cellars have been supplemented by years of rigorous independent study. She has made exceptional wines including a new artisan Napa winery launching in 2023, J. Moss, Ideology Cellars, Valley of the Moon / Lake Sonoma, Castello di Montegiove, Windsor Oaks Vineyards and other private clients. Julie's ongoing wine trials and experiments have been featured in industry press and conferences. Over 70 of her wines have consistently achieved 90+ scores and been noted by several leading critics including a Wine Spectator "Producer to Watch," Wine & Spirits varietal "Top Ten" and "Year's Best" lists. Julie deeply enjoys volunteering, mentoring and building community. She is one of thirty industry leaders on the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Program Committee (North America's largest industry conference) and serves as long-time Chair of the Napa / Sonoma Winemaking & Viticultural Roundtable of Women for Winesense. She is a contributing technical writer and wine judge for wine industry trade and consumer publications, frequent winemaker panelist for Napa Valley Vintner’s top trade and media conferences and VIP immersions and masterclass developer / instructor at Napa Valley Wine Academy. She is a past board member for Napa Valley Wine Technical Group and IQ (Innovation + Quality) Conference for luxury winemaking advances. She also serves as the Sonoma County Small Business Development Center’s wine industry consultant and general business advisor to small business owners in multiple agricultural and service sectors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730253689-9GKIWWHC9H5FHC68G7LJ/Stephanie+Cohen.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Stephanie Cohen - Level 1 Stephanie Cohen is the winemaker for Col Solare Winery on Red Mountain. At a young age, she was exposed to some of the premier wine growing regions of the world through family trips to California, Italy, and France. These travels fed her curiosity about how grapes are transformed as they go from vine to bottle and thus sparked her interest in the science of wine production. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Chemical Engineering, she moved to Napa for her first harvest as a lab technician. Her passion for the process of winemaking only grew in the two years she spent there before she decided to broaden her experience further. She believed that a successful career in winemaking would require a diverse skillset and a global perspective. This philosophy led her to pursue work at wineries in New Zealand, California, Australia, Oregon, and, finally, Washington State. Working with premium grapes from Red Mountain was a major draw for her at Col Solare. “I love the intimate relationship with the vineyard that the estate property provides. The intense focus on quality, from the vineyard to the bottle, that comes with small production is unparalleled.” Stephanie’s favorite part of the wine industry is the community that accompanies it. “Working around the globe, I have been able to collaborate with incredibly passionate people from diverse backgrounds. What brings us all together is the shared love of creating a product from the land for everyone to enjoy. It’s hard to think of another industry as inclusive as ours”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730326633-UV65BZKLCRQPY8UEA1SL/Shalini+Sekhar.jpeg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Shalini Sekhar - Level 1 A former musician, Shalini turned from her Master’s Degree in Flute and Piccolo Performance to a career in wine. After completing her studies at Fresno State University in Enology and Viticulture, she began her journey into winemaking marrying the same combination of art and science that fueled her passion in music. She has worked with many boutique pinot noir producers including Williams Selyem, ROAR, and Furthermore. She is currently the winemaker for Waits-Mast Family Cellars, Neely Wine, and her own small label Ottavino. Shalini was included in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2019 Winemakers to Watch and is also a WSET Diploma Candidate. When she is not at a winery or in the vineyards, she’s busy chasing after her two small children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730373017-LYW2NPSXQIA7O6EGSV8E/Molly+Sheppard.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Molly Sheppard - Level 1 Born and raised in Victoria, Australia, Molly Sheppard has been surrounded by wine for most of her life. She attended Curtin University in Western Australia, completing a degree in Agribusiness, Viticulture and Enology. After working in wineries in Victoria, Margaret River and the Yarra Valley, Molly made her first trip to Napa Valley as an intern for the 2017 vintage and fell in love with the beauty and dynamic nature of Napa Valley and its wines. Today, Molly helps to oversee the farming of the historic Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and the making of the winery’s acclaimed wines. Molly combines her passion for winemaking with a passion for the environment. She holds a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy through Harvard Business School Online and, in addition to helping craft the wines in both the vineyard and the cellar, she manages Spottswoode’s B Corp certification and environmental initiatives, which includes measuring our GHG emissions as part of our IWCA membership. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730381433-6LBIL9GHXW67SRAQ3CVV/Kelly+Koch+2.png Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Kelly Koch - Level 1 Winemaker Kelly Koch grew up in the town of St. Helena, in the heart of Napa Valley, California. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2003 from the University of California, Davis in Viticulture & Enology with a minor in French. After stints working in Napa and a harvest in Burgundy, France, Kelly arrived on the North Fork of Long Island, New York in 2006. She worked as Head Winemaker for Bedell Cellars and Macari Vineyards and currently makes wine for Terra Vite North Fork. She also is the owner/winemaker of Poppy & Rose Wine Company, founded in 2021. Poppy & Rose is the culmination of her life, her experiences, and her desire to create. Poppy, the state flower of California, represents her life growing up in St. Helena, in the Napa Valley. Rose, the state flower of New York, represents her adult life living and making wine on Long Island. She lives in Peconic with her husband Rob and two daughters, Haley and Zoey. Her daughters can often be found at the winery helping their mom! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730591689-V1ETDH2QFF2GVM7PCJK9/Elizabeth+Vianna.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Elizabeth Vianna - Level 1 Elizabeth Vianna is a wine industry veteran, winemaker and General manager with 25 years of experience in the production of super premium wines in Napa Valley. A native of Brazil, who grew up between two countries, Elizabeth knows first- hand what some of the challenges are to being both a woman and part of a minority group entering this competitive field. Elizabeth has over two decades of experience crafting wines in the Stags Leap District and has ample knowledge and experience on the viticultural side of the business ranging from the technical aspects to financial aspects of budget planning, capital investment, long term business development on both the distribution and the direct to consumer side. She has been active as a board member and President of the Stags Leap District Winegrower’s Association and currently also serves on the Board of Directors for Napa Valley Vintners. Elizabeth has also been a strong advocate and believer in the sustainability of the wine industry – working closely with the Napa Green organization. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730755243-EUWA133589W33NTXKA6K/HeidiGrapes.credit+Dawn+Heumann+-+Batonnage.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Heidi von der Mehden - Level 1 Heidi von der Mehden grew up in Sonoma County’s Wine Country. She earned a degree in chemistry from Santa Clara University in 1997 and taught high school chemistry in Tanzania, Africa, while in the Peace Corps. She returned to Sonoma County in 2000 and joined the wine industry, working her way up the ranks at Kenwood Vineyards, Mauritson Winery and Arrowood Winery, where she was named Winemaker when Richard Arrowood stepped down. Merry Edwards hired Heidi as her Associate Winemaker in 2015. Heidi was named winemaker and Merry Edwards’ successor in 2018, becoming the only person other than Merry to hold that position at the winery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730829590-SXZOI1TCL8UOWURF4FV4/Heidi+Bridenhagen.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Heidi Bridenhagen - Level 1 Heidi Bridenhagen has been working in the wine industry for 15 years. Her primary role -as Head Winemaker for MacRostie Winery- is on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir winemaking in the Sonoma Coast Region. Heidi’s experience extends beyond winemaking with her focus on viticulture to support her winemaking style with the development of a new vineyard in 2018 in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Heidi also has experience in operations and project management with the build of a Pinot Noir facility in 2015. Heidi’s, most recent passion project is her involvement with launching a new brand – dough wines- which is a collaboration with the James Beard Foundation, working closely with them on impact programs to promote advocacy and sustainability facing the food industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730880473-UW8YRXPRJ3NP6MQHLCFO/jmurphy+profile+pic.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 1 - Jennie Murphy - Level 1 After Graduating from UC Davis with a Chemistry degree in 2009, Jennie Murphy found herself in the wine industry by accident. She decided to take a harvest internship Korbel Champagne Cellars after her dreams of becoming a Forensic Scientist were quickly diminished due to a delicate economy. It was love at first sight, and after Korbel, she found an Enologist role at Paul Hobbs Wines. Here she would stay for the next twelve years, eventually growing in to the role of Director of Winemaking, and learning how to craft wines full of character and nuance. Jennie is a firm believer that each wine should be unique and allowed to tell its own story. In 2022, she formed her own label called Oxlee Graham Wines, which is named for her two grandmothers. With her new label, Jennie hopes to continue to explore varietals and winemaking areas that exemplify that creative and individualistic spirit. You can follow her on Instagram at @jenbugg3. https://www.batonnageforum.com/sales-distribution-2023level-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736159983-GKUWJDEX2VHJO0BND1FG/anitha+gandhi.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead A theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, Anitha works in NYC and is always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. Follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736159983-GKUWJDEX2VHJO0BND1FG/anitha+gandhi.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead A theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, Anitha works in NYC and is always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. Follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670735942693-C7DX6O45LA4A94AG9S1F/Abbie+Minton.png Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Abbie Minton - Level 1 Abbie is a self-professed 'music junkie' who likes to share the gift of a great glass over the sounds of a great album. She discovered her passion for wine while studying abroad in Rome in 2010 on an extended trip to Piedmont. When she returned stateside, she knew she wanted to nurture this newfound passion. In St. Louis there was no better place to learn the ways of wine than at Brasserie by Niche, a restaurant in the vibrant Central West End. A desire for mountain life and a passion for all-things outdoors brought Abbie to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in 2012. Fortunately, the fine dining scene in Vail allowed her to continue growing her wine skills as the GM/Sommelier at La Tour while also developing her hiking, biking, and skiing skills. Eventually, craving some city life and more advanced wine education, she found herself amongst the wine team at Mercantile Dining & Provision in Denver’s newly revitalized Union Station. Working at Mercantile is where everything really started to click for Abbie. She had the opportunity to experiment with a huge program under the guidance of an advanced sommelier, Wine Director, Patrick Houghton. With his encouragement and mentorship, she attained her Certified Sommelier through the Court of Masters, she ran a tasting menu program, and she was given the space to develop a staff continuing education program; a weekly program offering continuing education in all areas of hospitality to a staff of over 100. During her time at Mercantile, the idea for the Women’s Wine Guild (WWG) of Colorado was sparked between Abbie and Sarah Shoemaker. Knowing the impact a mentor can have on the trajectory of a career and seeing the benefit continuing education can have on the success of those in the hospitality industry, Abbie knew she wanted to create an organization that would mentor, educate and lift up women in the wine world. And, as Co-Founder of the WWG, she’s doing just that, making high quality, yet affordable wine/beverage education available to all who seek it. Abbie has since moved back to the Mountains where she works for The Harvest Wine Company. Her home base of Summit County is the perfect place to spread the mission of the WWG through the peaks and valleys of the Rocky Mountains over a great glass and the sounds of a great album. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1673295963670-FO8LLCD3P6ULYMI5XLMW/Claudia+Schug+Schuetz.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Claudia Schug Schuetz - Level 1 Claudia grew up in a winemaking family in the Napa Valley in the late 1960s-1980s. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany, she returned to California in 2017 after spending nearly 30 years in Germany, where she raised her daughter (now 30), ran her own wine import and distribution company and managed the European export market for Schug. For six years, she also served as California Wine Institute’s German representative and its European Trade Education Ambassador. Claudia has a BA in Economics from Stanford University and attained the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits in 2009 after which she entered the Master of Wine program in 2010. Through her education and professional experience, she has built a global network, cultivated a deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry, and has tasted a broad range of wines of domestic and international importance. Claudia is active on several wine association committees, continuing her father’s collaborative spirit in advocating for California and Sonoma wines. Claudia was a Level 1 and Level 2 Batonnage mentor in 2022 and is excited about continuing as a Sales & Distribution mentor in 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736227919-HAT0Z23OV7YV5FY44P6O/Emily+Baddock+pic.jpeg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Emily Baddock - Level 1 Emily heads sales at Alt Imports, a low-intervention wine and spirits distributor based in downtown Las Vegas. She previously managed the wine program at Momofuku's first steakhouse, Majordōmo LV, and championed natural wine at Washington DC's acclaimed Thamee and Dio Wine Bar. Emily holds WSET Level 3 certification and is currently studying for her WSET Diploma. Prior to her wine life, Emily worked in academia and earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School. This fall, Emily co-founded Las Vegas' first natural wine fair, Co-Ferment, to help connect the city's low-intervention wine community. Follow her on Instagram @embaddock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650482819389-IPT29NO2N0CSTO9M9ZF9/Giuseppe+LoCascio+Profile+Pic.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Giuseppe LoCascio - Level 1 A New York City native, Giuseppe grew up in Italy where he graduated in Economics and Business Administration. Giuseppe moved back to New York in 2002 and in 2010 received his MBA from Fordham Graduate School of Business. Until August 2016, Giuseppe was the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian Wine Imports Division of The Winebow Group. In January 2017, Giuseppe founded his own Consulting Company and Import Agency, based in NYC. As an Agent, Giuseppe serves 12 US Markets with a selection of high-quality Italian wineries. In April 2017, Giuseppe became one of the few US-based Italian Wine Ambassadors for the Vinitaly International Academy program. Since 2019 Giuseppe has been teaching the class on the US Wine Market for the Master in Wine Business of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy. In July 2020, Giuseppe co-founded and launched Lucidity Wine Merchants, a boutique Import and Distribution company located in Sacramento, California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736321361-5WGPIWC07BV00EDZEJEH/Julia+Vaninger.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Julia Vaninger - Level 1 Julia currently leads the B2B sales team at Coravin, which includes wineries, off and on premise accounts and distributors. She comes with over 20 years of beverage experience; Managing distributors, Marketing, Field Sales and National Accounts with Red Bull, Diageo, Remy Cointreau and Heineken. All of her personal travel is about experiencing local beverages, whether it is wine, coffee, spirits or beer. She grew up not having any female leaders to look up to in the industry until she was in her 40's and because of this, she feel a very strong social responsibility to the industry to provide coaching and mentoring to the future generation. Julia’s personal time is spent in the gym, dining/drinking out, traveling and reading. As much as she loves adult beverages, she is very passionate about practicing a healthy lifestyle - both physically and mentally. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736583657-354DCVBAX2LQGRWNJK0P/Katixa+Mercier.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Katixa Mercier - Level 1 Katixa Mercier started her career 18 years ago, on-premise in fine dining, curating and managing award-winning programs. After a brief stint on the hôtelière side -while consulting privately for other beverage programs- she was scouted by Favorite Brands in New Mexico, where she began as a territory sales representative, climbing the ranks to sales and portfolio manager and lastly, running it in tandem with ownership through the trials, furloughs and tribulations of Covid. A year ago, she was approached by importer French Libation where she ran the west coast and most recently, accepted the western division sales management position for importer Boutique Wine Collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670893103631-4UEHWXZ8ZCYTHFL662WX/Matthew-Gaughan-2018-high-res-2.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Matthew Gaughan - Level 1 Matthew Gaughan is a WSET Certified Educator, who has taught wine courses in California for the last eight years and has an educational podcast aimed at wine students. He has also worked in retail in both the UK and California over the last ten years, both in wine shops and in tasting rooms. He now owns and runs blackpoolmatt’s wine club, an online club specializing in small-production wineries with an educational aspect in the presentation of the wines—a position that has allowed him to work closely with wine distributors large and small on a daily basis. He has also written for Harper’s Wine and Spirits, The Buyer, and jancisrobinson.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795436521-6Q0UWJL4GAYAN6CBHUV3/M+Egan+headshot+-+Michelle+Egan.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Michelle (Perry) Egan - Level 1 Michelle (Perry) Egan learned the wine business from the ground up, starting with her first job after graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She joined E. & J. Gallo Winery as a sales representative, and over the next seven years gained an invaluable foundation in virtually every aspect of the wine industry, including marketing, brand management, and sales strategy. In 2007, Michelle left Gallo to join Constellation Brands’ where she spent 11 years and over her tenure, she grew to VP, Fine Wine Marketing and the Direct-to-Consumer. Michelle had a short stint at Realm Cellars as VP, Sales & Marketing, where she learned further about the luxury consumer. Today, Michelle brings her extensive wine industry experience to Terlato Wine Group overseeing the Estate Family Brands wine marketing and Direct-to-Consumer sales for wineries including Chimney Rock Winery, Rutherford Hill, Sanford Winery, and Klipsun. Michelle has a tremendous track record as a strong leader with a wealth of experience across sales, marketing, and DTC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1605135644326-RURQLYEZLC3A8OOVYRCK/A269AF5B-247B-4EE8-AB07-C48E74C4F6BD.jpeg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Natalie Vaclavik - Level 1 Based in Houston, Natalie Vaclavik is currently the National Sales Director for a collection of family owned estates in Santa Barbara, Jonata, The Hilt Estate, and The Paring. She has extensive experience in distribution and sales, starting her career as a Sales Rep for Glazers Domaines & Estates Wine where she was a top performer specializing in high-end wine sales for the top accounts in Houston. Over a decade ago, she became the Regional Sales Director for Evening Lands Vineyards and then became the first sales manager for Terroir Selections representing Qupe, Leviathan, Mayacamas, Sandhi, and Mulderbosch. From there she created a successful distribution company Victory Wine Group, built from relationships first on both producer and customer ends. Follow her on Instagram @purplecowgrl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670869480836-MVTDN5XGM1PZFR7LMCGV/Paul+Stroud.jpg Sales & Distribution 2023-Level 1 - Paul Stroud - Level 1 Paul Stroud founded Craft Wines in 2014, after having previously worked as a sommelier and restaurant director, with the aspiration of introducing this generation of producers to Colorado. We work with some of the most dedicated families, growers, and producers who ardently farm their vineyards sustainably, organically, or biodynamically to produce authentic, terroir-driven wines. Our goal is to connect these impassioned producers with equally enthusiastic customers. https://www.batonnageforum.com/viticulture-2023-level-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885580491-AIMN7E39BBVTFE5IL233/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Mary Maher - Program Lead Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885580491-AIMN7E39BBVTFE5IL233/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Mary Maher - Program Lead Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670737685853-56EVEOXKGUZ1DXZEE3DE/Amanda_Cihlar_Batonnage-jpeg.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Amanda Cihlar - Level 1 Amanda is a native Ohian who earned her B.S. in Environmental Horticulture from Clemson University and an M.S. in Horticulture & Agronomy with a focus in Viticulture and Soil Science from U.C. Davis. Before her winegrowing career, she dabbled in organic blueberry production. She has worked in various winegrowing regions including the Willamette Valley, Sonoma Valley, and the Napa Valley. She is currently Winery Relations and Viticulture Manager at Stagecoach Vineyard where she helps with the technical aspects of growing mountain fruit while selling to 70+ clients. Throughout her years in the industry, she has been an advocate for women in agriculture and feels that is her true passion, alongside farming wine grapes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670741539023-IZH2W5IT0X1FNHLTCYAU/profile+picture.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Laura Deyermond - Level 1 Growing up in Andover, MA, Laura Deyermond had an early interest in botany and growing plants. Laura enrolled in the University of Massachusetts, studying sustainable agriculture. But eye-opening internships at the U Mass experimental vineyard and at wineries in New York’s Long Island made her leave orchard science behind. After graduating from U Mass in 2009, she headed to the west coast to pursue her Master’s Degree at the University of Washington. Receiving her degree in 2011, she went to work as a viticulture consultant to several small vineyards in the Columbia Valley. In the spring of 2012, Laura’s California dream became reality as she moved to Napa Valley, becoming assistant viticulturist in a vineyard management company focused on organic farming. The following year, she joined a winery in Sonoma County as their viticulturist. In 2015, Laura became the Viticulturist for Diageo, working with estate vineyards in Napa and the Central Coast. After Treasury Wine Estates acquired Diageo’s vineyards and wineries, Laura became the regional viticulturist for Sonoma and Lake Counties, managing a small team of viticulturists and providing technical support to the vineyard and winemaking teams. In June of 2018, Laura joined Newton Vineyard as Viticulturist and Grower Manager; she was promoted to Head of Viticulture in 2021. In August 2022, Laura was named one of Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Future 40” of 2022. She was recognized for her vision and leadership of Newton’s journey to restore its historic Spring Mountain vineyard from the extensive damage suffered in the 2020 Glass Fire, which included the loss of all but five acres. With the now-obvious realities of climate change, drought and wildfires in mind, Deyermond is using the knowledge gained over Newton’s 40+ years of farming the estate to implement a 10-year replant plan and is consulting with experts for rootstocks and clones that have more drought tolerance. You can follow her on Instagram at @ldeyermond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670777663343-1U7SXMD7QLH6OFYELHHD/Cindy+Hanlon.jpeg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Cynthia Hanlon - Level 1 A lifetime lover of wine, Cindy was born and raised in the FLX and continues to unearth and experience all it has to offer. The intrigue of how a single variety could make so many variations of wine, each masterful and unique, is how the whole party started for her. After a long tenure in the mortgage industry, it was grapes and wine styles that stole her heart. Finding a program in her own backyard, Finger Lakes wine country, was a dream that was meant to materialize. Science and art, two of Cindy’s favorite areas to study, paired with her love of being outdoors is how her journey goes. Graduating with a degree in Wine Technology and Viticulture gave her the foundation to secure a role within the industry. Her work began in a small vineyard on Lake Ontario, to then doing research with Finger Lakes Grape Program associated with Cornell, and now representing a Global company, E&J Gallo. Her broad experience across all components of wine from farm to farmer, vine to press, and bottling to facilitating tastings, Cindy offers a global perspective because she’s been an active contributor to each of these roles within the vast field of Wine and Viticulture. Cindy remains firmly planted within the Finger Lakes and Western NY grower base as the Grower Relations Coordinator. Visiting vineyards, creating community connection, and talking growing season is all within a day’s work. It’s true when they say, you just never know where the love of grapes will take you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670777907213-123AM6XMRQDKGX4IPN7B/Elizabeth+Tangney.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Elizabeth Tangney - Level 1 As a vineyard manager and winemaking, Elizabeth Tangney’s vision comes from a deep love for the land. Wine made through a farmer’s lens is an art which Elizabeth has honed throughout her impressive career. With her gifted palate, inspired leadership and exacting standards, Elizabeth takes a hands-on approach as she crafts her wines.While studying French in school, Elizabeth began to create a community centered around food and wine. Before joining Cornell Vineyards in 2018, Elizabeth spent her years in the varied terrains of Sonoma County, Saint-Émilion, Napa and Paso Robles. Elizabeth received her B.S. in Viticulture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778541834-OQA0VCP4WVTJCDRJB8B7/Y+-+Cathy+Corison.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Cathy Corison - Level 1 Cathy Corison, the first woman Winemaker-Proprietor in the Napa Valley, produces three Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, hand-crafted without compromise. Her wines are powerful and elegant at the same time, have a sense of place, and are structured to grace the table and enjoy a long, distinguished life. Cathy harvested her 35 th vintage of Corison in 2021! Academic preparation included a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA and an M.S. in Enology from U.C. Davis. Decades of winemaking for others, including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family Winery, Long Meadow Ranch and York Creek Vineyards, left her eager to express her own winemaking voice. She is guided by her belief that winemaking and wine appreciation are a timeless, creative celebration of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885653938-YBVQGZJZLHGQVSL4XOIJ/erin+mason.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Erin Mason - Level 1 Erin is a Florida native, but spent most of her life in Georgia. Growing up in a military family on the coastal border, to college in Athens at the University of Georgia, and for the longest period of her life as an urbanite in Atlanta. She began working in restaurants during high school and stayed the course will into her 30’s. In Atlanta, Erin immersed herself into an emerging food and beverage scene spending nearly a decade managing and directing beverage programs for a multi-concept restaurant group, overseeing the opening of two new restaurants in just two years. She completed her certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018 and had the good fortune to begin traveling in order to expand her studies attending Pinot Camp in Oregon, the West Sonoma Coast Farm Camp, and an importer road trip through Beaujolais, Chablis, and the Northern Rhone. Inspired by her personal travels through France and Italy with WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), the energy building around regenerative agriculture, and lifelong anxiety over environmental issues Erin decided to make a drastic change in 2019. Leaving behind family, friends, a career, and any belongings that did not fit in her car, she left to work her first vintage and never looked back. Erin has completed two vintages with Ian Brand in Monterey County, who was SF Chronicle’s 2018 Winemaker of the Year. She has poured at the tasting rooms of Kunin Wines and A Tribute to Grace in Santa Barbara County. She worked harvest with Ann Kramer at Shake Ridge Ranch in the Sierra Foothills and spent a winter with Laura Brennan Bissell of Inconnu wines in the cellar and on her farm and vineyard in the Columbia River Gorge. Most recently, Erin completed a full season with holistic manager and vineyard director, Kelly Mulville on the Paicines Ranch—and 7600-acre property focused on regeneration and healthy ecosystem functions using organics, biological methods, and a flock of 2000 hair sheep. After finishing the 2022 vintage with the winemaking team at Tablas Creek Vineyards, Erin accepted a position with the company where she will focus on specializing in all of the regenerative practices employed there on the vineyard (and beyond). This is an exciting new learning journey for Erin that she is hopeful will result in her both supporting the program where it is and helping to evolve it into the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670892614397-LFNEFZZHDSBNX4AXMF4F/Allison+Wilson+profile.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Allison Wilson - Level 1 A Bay Area native studying Fruit Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Allison was unsure where an agriculture major would take her until she was drawn into the local wine industry and discovered viticulture. Eager to jump into the industry she joined Renteria Vineyard management in 2012 as an assistant viticulturist and since 2015 has been the Director of Vineyard Operations at Cliff Lede Vineyards where she is responsible for overseeing all farming and redevelopment of the winery’s three estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Carneros, and Calistoga AVAs. She works closely with the internal winemaking team to develop and implement the vineyard department’s farming protocols, while also managing all of Cliff Lede Vineyards’ external grower relations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670950386174-3EW3UNA7Y2IO2M8WULQR/Katey+Taylor+headshoot.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Katey Taylor - Level 1 Katey is the Regional Viticulturist in Napa and Sonoma Counties, for Constellation Brands - Wine and Spirits Division; a bold and innovative high-end wine, and spirits company, that creates distinctive brands and products. Katey has been a part of the Constellation Brands Grape Management Division for 15 years and has worked in the industry since 1999. She has held various roles in operations from Vineyard Manager to Director, in addition to roles in Technical Viticulture. As part of the Viticulture Center of Excellence team, she collaborates with internal and external networks across California, fostering sustainable farming practices and organics, improving quality, and developing standard operating procedures. One of her most rewarding roles is mentoring interns and early career professionals, as well as participating in riparian restoration projects surrounding the vineyards. She is the current Chair of the Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District. She is a current fellow in Class 52 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670974549436-EGDWNFSE2IFO11ADO6CZ/Daniela+Baza%CC%81n.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Daniela Bazán - Level 1 Daniela is a Napa Valley native who grew up running around some of the most prestigious vineyards alongside her father, a farmworker turned entrepreneur from Oaxaca, Mexico. After graduating from the University of San Francisco with a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies, she earned her MA in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, before ultimately returning to Napa. She has worked for her family’s vineyard management business for nearly 15 years overseeing administrative duties and also helping manage day-to-day vineyard operations, grower and winery relations, professional and educational development of vineyard crew members, as well as sustainable programs including organic certifications, Fish Friendly Farming & Napa Green certifications, EQIP and Healthy Soils Incentive Program grant applications and implementation, and pollinator habitat procurement and planting. She has also worked behind the scenes to support and develop her family’s wine label, Bazán Cellars, that started in 2005 with its first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is now featured in the Bazán Cellars Downtown Napa tasting room and includes their Cabernet Sauvignon alongside several additional varietals, all farmed by the Bazán vineyard crews. Daniela and her family are one of just a handful of Latinx wine producers in Napa Valley and are proud members of the Mexican American Vintners Association. Since 2013 Daniela has served on the Napa Valley Farmworker Education Committee, producing educational programming and events for farmworkers including the annual Día de la familia event. In addition to collaborating on annual programming for the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, she also served on its COVID-19 Task Force, coordinating efforts to connect community resources and distribute information in English, Spanish, Zapoteco and Mixteco. In 2018 she earned her MS in Environmental Management with a concentration in Ecology from the University of San Francisco and continues to focus on sustainable farming practices together with empowering the local farmworker community. Follow Bazán Cellars on Instagram @mariobazancellars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1671405311348-TJ5EY45NXABVTVRA34B0/AmieliaAdams_SFC_%C2%A9SuzanneBeckerBronk.jpg Viticulture 2023-Level 1 - Amielia Adams - Level 1 Amielia has worked at Silverado Farming Company since March 2021, first as the Viticulture Research Manager and now as the Accounting Manager. She has worked in cellars, labs, and vineyards in Napa since 2014, including stints at Komes & Garvey Ranches, Rutherford Hill Winery, and Laird Family Estate. Amielia also spent a harvest abroad in New Zealand with Pernod Ricard Winemakers. Prior to joining Silverado Farming, Amielia spent three years working on research projects including Pierce's disease epidemiology, Grapevine Powdery Mildew, sugar accumulation disorder (SAD), and Red Blotch disease spread and management for Dr. Monica Cooper, the Viticulture Farm Advisor, at the University of California, Cooperative Extension in Napa County. Amielia enjoys being involved in the community through the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, and Vintner’s golf league. Amielia studied Biochemistry and Classical Humanities at Miami University (Ohio), took classes in Viticulture & Enology at Napa Valley College and will graduate in May 2023 with her MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. https://www.batonnageforum.com/retail-2023-level-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead Annette Alvarez-Peters is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising strategies for the wine and spirits industry. Annette sits on the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines and MISA Imports, a global importer and distributor for wine and spirits. In addition, she is involved and serves as a Mentor with non-profit organization Wine Unify, an organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry and involved with the Batonnage Forum Mentorship program as the Head of Industry Area of Focus for Retail, an organization designed to stir up conversations about equality and forward progress for women in wine. Annette previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale - including 25 years in the beverage alcohol department, where she led the buying team for the USA. Annette retired in 2020 as Asst. Vice President / GMM. Alvarez-Peters was named as a top leader in the wine industry by M. Shanken Communications, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Decanter. She holds the Diploma certification from Wine & Spirit Education Trust, along with a Certified Wine Educator certificate from Society of Wine Educators. Annette has been inducted into the following associations: Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc; Champagne’s Ordre des Coteaux des Champagne and Chateauneuf du Pape Echansonnerie des Papes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898378421-667IFNURBL6U2IY4UXWT/Jenn+Profile+-+Jenn+Holterman.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Jenn Holterman - Level 1 Jenn Holterman is the Merchandise Director of Wine on the Adult Beverages team at Target. Jenn has been at Target for 13 years with the most recent 10 years on the Adult Beverage team and holds her WSET Level 2 Certification. She began her career in Space/Presentation followed by the Multicultural team supporting Beauty/Healthcare. When she started on the Adult Beverage team, she held several buying roles both regionally and nationally in Wine and Spirits prior to her current role. During her time on the Adult Beverage team, she more than doubled the business to over $1B today through elevated store experiences, new licenses and launching several successful national brands. In addition, she introduced the regional buying model for Target, launched Adult Bev Order Pick-up/Drive-up nationally in nearly 1,200 stores and developed and launched over 14 exclusively launched brands (including California Roots which is now a top wine brand at Target). Jenn has accomplished all this growth while maintaining her passion for driving diversity in the wine industry and delivering curated offerings that are authentic, trend-forward and innovative for the Target guest. She enjoys mentoring other women in the industry and sharing how to build relationships and how to work with large retailers. Jenn is married to her husband Andy and together they have two little boys - Nicholas and Bennett. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, biking and watching sports with her family. Follow Jenn on Instagram @jenneane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670738759605-Z8TXFT9MDBGF5VNSOZYC/Amy+Chen.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Anny Chen - Level 1 Anny Chen has meticulously worked in the wonderful world of Fine Wine for 13 years. She is a Senior Fine Wine Consultant at Morrell & Company, assisting private clients source top wines for their cellars, focusing on blue chip producers and new cult wines that are the next big thing. Her focus is quite niche, hyperfocused on building one-on-one relationships with top collectors in the fine wine world. Anny started her career in wine in 2009 on the sales floor of Zachys Wine & Liquor and was quickly promoted throughout the years up to Vice President of Sales. She has a similar passion for travel and augments her wine education through trips to Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux, tasting with winemakers whenever possible. Chen holds a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential and the WSET Level 3 Advanced. She is a Founding Member of Societe des Ami du Champagne (SAC) in New York and a member of the Hue Society NYC Chapter. Anny graduated cum laude from New York University with a double major in International Relations and East Asian Studies, and holds a Master of Science in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Prior to her entry into the wine world, Anny worked in Sales and Trading at Bank of America. Follow Anny on Instagram at @annerz35. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898266981-89I6SXPSF5L9JFGQ2HWJ/Jennifer+Carruthers.jpeg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Jennifer Carruthers - Level 1 Once a Civil Engineer, Jennifer "stumbled" into the wine industry during her move from Canada to California. She started out on the broker/distributor side of the business over 10 years ago, co-founded a brokerage, always passionate about the lesser-known, fantastic wineries & their stories. In 2019, she launched her passion project Great Pour Decisions®, a lifestyle and wine accessories brand, all while working towards creating her ultimate dream business. Jenn successfully launched that dream and founded JC Select Wines to bring her favourite wines directly into the hands of those in search of the great gems out there. While working as a wine broker/distributor, she was incredibly fortunate to have been introduced to some true gems of the wine world. A few years ago, JC Select Wines was created from her passion for great wines, and her love for sharing the stories of the wineries/winemakers who make these wines truly special. Thanks to JC Select Wines, the wines that she loves to drink and share, are accessible to wine enthusiasts looking for something great and new to try. JC Select Wines allows Jenn to elevate her client's experience with wine by both sharing a wine's story and then providing direct access to the wines that she’s passionate about. Follow her on Instagram @jcselectwines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670739238755-RB1VT5UT8W8Z58167SYJ/CaraPatriciaDECANTsf.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Cara Patricia - Level 1 Cara is a wine professional who has worked at the highest tiers of hospitality and is known for her relaxed style of wine education under her motto"Drink for Yourself”--a reminder that regardless of the trends and fads of the beverage world, the most important thing is what makes YOU happy. Cara has a long history in service and leadership and is a regular panelist, moderator and contributor at wine publications and events, including Guest Sommelier roles at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, LA Food & Wine, La Paulée, La Tablée, and Meals on Wheels Gala. Cara also worked as a fine wine sales consultant in boutique wine retail and for many years as a luxury Champagne Specialist for Moët Hennessy. In San Francisco, she was Lead Sommelier at Hakkasan and won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2013, simultaneously overseeing the $3MM cellar of Bright Wine Fund & Michelin Three-Star restaurant Saison as Cellarmaster, which received the Wine Spectator Grand Award under her tenure. Cara dreamed of owning her own business from the early days of her career, and DECANTsf is the storied realization of her passion and experience. Follow Cara on Instagram @carapatriciaSF. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670738908947-5RR5INQS912CXNO3QP7B/KatieWallaceHeadshot.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Katherine Wallace - Level 1 Katherine Wallace is a Principal Category Merchant on Whole Foods Market’s Global Wine Buying Team, overseeing our domestic wine and sake assortment in partnership with regional buyers across the country. Katherine began her career at Whole Foods Market as a logistics intern and spent several years as a global buyer on the Produce team before joining the Global Specialty Team.Katherine is focused on how wines are made, winemakers’ stories behind them and bringing the best value and assortment to the customer. She is passionate about supporting local brands, in addition to wineries with organic regenerative farming practices and that are female/owned operated. Katherine received her degree in Agricultural Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is currently a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Chapter and an industry mentor for the Roots Fund. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1674780135356-AE3KL94N1SYK8WOZUO2I/w%2B-%2Bsusan%2Bhayes.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Susan Hayes - Level 1 Susan Hayes is the Vice President of MO Cellar Selections, a wine broker with a portfolio specializing in premium and super premium wines and spirits www.kdchaney.com. She covers 6 West Coast states: WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, and AK. She recently started her own wine label Rain Shadows from the Rattlesnake Hills AVA in Washington State. Previously Susan held a 34 year career at Costco Wholesale, with 15 of those years as the Wine & Spirits Buyer. Her buying career expands decades and has allowed her to travel the world, meet notable industry personalities. Hayes holds a WSET Level 2 certificate. In addition, she was inducted into Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc. Susan’s industry experience is truly invaluable and can help mentees navigate through their own careers. Hayes has a passion for food and wine & spirits, travel and the arts. She started an original art business, which has now expanded to commission mixed media paintings sold all over the US and UK. Susan lives in Washington State. Follow Susan on Instagram @suehayes3442 and @susan_hayes_art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670778862402-WXV466F3MLZ5HVI0HK3A/_DSC9118-Edit+-+Alexandria+Sarovich.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Alexandria Sarovich - Level 1 Alexandria (Alex) Sarovich is the Wine Director at Little Saint (a restaurant, cafe and wine shop), Single Thread’s more casual sister restaurant in Healdsburg, CA. Her vision is to create an accessible wine program and be part of a dedicated team committed to creating a unique gathering space that will foster and support the community. Alex’s career in hospitality has included SingleThread, E2 Hospitality and Melbourne’s fine dining, Attica. Alex’s love for all things food and wine began with the joy she experienced gathering around the dinner table with her family. Her passions have led her to study Sustainability and farming extensively as well. Sarovich is a native Chicagoian, an avid traveler and a passionate teacher. Her interests also include using food and herbs as medicine, cooking, being outdoors, biking, hiking and yoga. Mentorship is a huge passion of hers and it means the world to her to pass on the knowledge that has been with her along the years. This will be Alex's second year of Battonage Mentorship. She can provide insight on building confidence, running wine programs both on and off premise, trends in wine, Sustainability & Climate as it relates to the wine world & more! Follow Alex on Instagram @alexannsarovich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670814014488-9JO0KYGIG1XSE2RAE54H/Chrissy+Headshot+Sept+20+-+Chrissy+Edrozo.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Chrissy Edrozo - Level 1 Chrissy Edrozo is a regional buyer in the Southwest division for Costco Wholesale. She is based in San Diego, CA and responsible for 47 locations in southern California (San Diego area), Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico and Colorado. Edrozo began her career at the membership warehouse club Costco in 2001 in the Membership department, moving on to various positions in Operations and then transferred to the buying division in 2007. She started with an entry level position purchasing toys, seasonal items, sporting goods and foods for the Mexico division. She was promoted to Wine Buyer in 2019, and has traveled to many different wine countries including California, Washington, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley and Burgundy to gain additional insight and knowledge of the regions. Along with her daily duties as a buyer, she also is a contributor for wine columns to the member monthly publication The Costco Connection. Edrozo holds WSET Advanced certification and is continuing her studies with the WSET Diploma program to further her knowledge, love, and passion for the wine industry. Follow Chrissy on Instagram @chrissyedrozo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864834432-54H50FLBY2TEB4FICSJ9/Chicago+Andrea+Creative_1+-+Melissa+Zeman.jpg Retail 2023-Level 1 - Melissa Zeman - Level 1 Melissa Zeman is the owner of BottlesUp! – a bottle shop and experience in Chicago. After graduating from Trinity University (San Antonio) in 2007 and working at a boutique public relations agency in Chicago, Zeman began to realize her love of connecting people correlated with her passion - and preference - for wine. In 2009 she leapt into the wine industry, officially beginning her career with the goal of opening her own shop. Zeman managed two retail shops, specializing in event planning/execution and wine club management. During this time, also received her WSET Level Two certification. After ten years in the business, Melissa opened BottlesUp! in September of 2019 and runs all aspects of the business, particularly focusing on being an active part of the community, growing the shop’s 400+ member wine club, and further developing the recurring BeyoU Ladies’ Nights. In her limited spare time, you can find Zeman playing soccer and supporting fellow small businesses and industry comrades. Melissa's entire wine career has been in retail. Mentees will have the ability to learn about opening their own store, planning events, engaging your community, running a wine club, and much more! Follow the fun at @bottles_up_chicago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898318067-SGCWL0E14AAFFQKK1965/IMG_0017+-+Rachel+Gross.JPG Retail 2023-Level 1 - Rachel Gross - Level 1 Rachel Gross is the Sr. Category Manager of Retail Wine at GoPuff. For her entire career Rachel has worked on the retail side of the business. Initially starting in fashion and then transitioning into wine. She joined GoPuff in May 2022 leading their brick & mortar wine business, which includes BevMo! And Liquor Barn. She was previously the Director of New World wines at Total Wine & More for 12 years. Gross loves the complexity of the wine industry and helping others dissect and navigate through the 3-tier system. She excels at building strong relationships and negotiation skills, while many times she has been the only woman at the table. A big supporter of women in the industry, she strives to help all women grow and build relationships. Rachel is looking forward to helping mentees navigate entry and exploration into the wine industry, providing insight on remote work vs. office work environments and the positivity of career transitions. Rachel resides in Gaithersburg, MD with her husband Stephen and two children Jacob and Eliana. Gross attended Indiana University; she is a huge foodie who will make her way through any Best of Washingtonian or Michelin list. Her hobbies also include hiking, being outdoors with her family and traveling. https://www.batonnageforum.com/wine-business-2023-level-1 daily 0.75 2023-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Priyanka French - Program Lead Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670740009487-RHRZBMG52K51G3OFAKTX/Diane+Burgeon.JPG Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Diane Bergeon - Level 1 Diane Bergeon is the founder/owner of West Coast Wine Compliance. Licensing is a specialized field and Diane developed West Coast Wine Compliance in 2014 combining a passion for wine with years of legal/compliance experience. Based in Napa Valley, West Coast Wine Compliance (WCWC) is a niche service for winemakers and wine entrepreneurs. WCWC assists wine businesses with compliance consulting, ABC licensing, direct to consumer reporting, wholesale reporting, label approvals, clean-up projects, state reporting and many other tasks. Other Credentials include WSET Advanced, SSU Wine Business Certificate, SSU Direct-to-Consumer Sales Certificate, Custom Crush Winemaking, Previous Career Corporate Paralegal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670740208719-7X55F3P81CGUUQ4OKER1/JiaMin+Dierberg.jpeg Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - JiaMin Dierberg - Level 1 Native Chinese, immigrated to the U.S. after obtaining B.S. degree from Kansai University in Japan. Joined family business Star Lane & Dierberg Vineyards in 2008 and since has been building export business in Asia and beyond. In the midst of pandemic, JiaMin started her involvement in management of other family businesses in Hermann, Missouri including a winery, several tasting rooms, brewery and pub, restaurant and an upscale lodging operation. JiaMin has also actively involved in various nonprofit organizations with their development and fundraising needs. She serves on several boards including St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum, City Academy, St. Louis Modern Chinese School, Missouri Botanical Garden, Dierberg Educational Foundation and Best USA Educational Foundation. JiaMin enjoys food and wine, art, travel, cooking and gardening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670864761955-6NGICBAEBHQMJ001E696/NicoleCarter_RoedererCollection.JPG Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Nicole Carter - Level 1 With more than 25 years of marketing, winemaking and viticulture, and sales experience, Nicole is responsible for all aspects of the operations at Maison Louis Roederer’s US Wineries. Her role as President includes oversight of all functional areas of the commercial business starting with Direct-to-Consumer, Wholesale and Export sales and includes all levels of strategic planning and marketing through to execution. In the production arena, she oversees winemaking and viticulture across the wineries as well as the supply chain functions. Prior to the appointment with the Roederer Collection, Nicole served as the Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Winemaking for Hess Family Wine Estates and before that, 18 years with Treasury Wine Estates in several global marketing and public relations roles overseeing luxury brands from Napa, Sonoma and Australia. Before joining the wine industry, Nicole spent 10 years in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA working in the public affairs sector practicing lobbying and public relations on behalf of several beverage alcohol companies. Nicole is a Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators and holds additional certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Culinary Institute of America Wine School in Napa Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670740082780-2YO0MO1Y6F9WF8YP6T5H/Emeritus_Mari_HamptonPhotos_SHP7490_WEB_72dpi.jpg Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Mari Jones - Level 1 As president, Mari Jones oversees all aspects of Emeritus Vineyards, she believes in a collaborative approach that empowers the talented Emeritus team. Though an early passion for wine had been instilled in Mari, from her father who ran a winery, she was eager to chart her own path. After earning a philosophy degree at Colgate University, she moved to Colorado and worked at the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program. In 2012, after years of giving her father advice from afar, he invited Mari to return home to build a tasting room and start a wine club. She quickly became an invaluable member of her father’s team and was soon the COO until her father retired in 2019 and she became President. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670740119864-PRE6O4EQ8F3Y49NNAP3P/Tais+Tillman.jpg Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Taïs Tillman - Level 1 Taïs graduated with a degree in Business, and a minor in Human Resource Management. After spending almost a decade doing HR for big tech, she made the decision to move to Italy to study wine. Upon her return to the US, she started working in the wine industry where she has worked as a Director in a membership-based marketing organization, a GM of small and medium wineries, and an operational consultant. Taïs currently works developing and executing strategic marketing educational programs for winery clients in the US and abroad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670739943346-IBITILKA59FI0BPGJ5P3/CourtneyDeGraff_01_linkedin.jpg Wine Business 2023-Level 1 - Courtney DeGraff - Level 1 Courtney is the Executive Director of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA). She is a CSW and has completed other wine industry coursework after being bitten by the wine bug in college. Courtney studied marketing and communication in graduate school at Simmons College and completed the Sonoma State Wine Business Certification coursework. In 2017 she arrived sight unseen in Anderson Valley after leaving a career in the financial services industry in Boston and accepting a wine business internship with Foursight Wines. When interviewed, she was asked about her five-year career objective. She replied that she wanted to work for a regional wine association. Fortunately, her love for Anderson Valley aligned with her career goals, and she began working with the AVWA in January 2019. https://www.batonnageforum.com/marketing-comms-2023level-2 daily 0.75 2024-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane LLC, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her career in the wine industry began during her last year at university while studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. Since then, Katie has lived in Rioja (Logroño), Burgundy (Dijon), and the UK (Manchester), studying and working in various sectors of the wine industry: production (including harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley), wine writing, retail, hospitality, and distribution. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has led marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now co-owns PR, marketing, and event agency O’Donnell Lane. Katie holds a M.Sc. degree in Wine Business and WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. She serves on the board of Bâtonnage Forum—a nonprofit organization focused on supporting women in wine—and has served as Marketing & Communications Program Lead for the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898080610-EGVXLBQ2N1KJU2P31YDG/Maria+Calvert+photo.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Maria Calvert - Level 2 Maria is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in public relations. With a background in agency and in-house communications, she brings a rounded perspective to reputation management, focusing on media relations, integrated communications strategy, and cross-business collaboration. Before transitioning to wine, Maria was the V.P. of Global Communications at a currency broker on Wall Street. After several years in finance, in 2018, she decided to follow her palate to the wine industry, joining a renowned public relations agency in New York City, leading integrated communications campaigns for institutions/B2B and wine brands worldwide. Today, Maria's time is between NYC and Washington D.C., working as a Public Relations Consultant and pursuing the WSET Level 2 certification. Maria co-founded the nonprofit organization Hispanics in Wine, which amplifies and supports Hispanics/LatinX alcohol and hospitality industry professionals. She also co-created the annual LatinX Wine Summit, a one-day event that serves as an educational vehicle to share the impact of the Hispanic/LatinX contributions to the wine industry. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion in the wine industry has been featured in national and international media publications, including recognition as 40 under 40 Tastemaker's List by Wine Enthusiast, Wine Business Monthly's Wine Industry Leaders 2021, and Imbibe's 75 People to Watch in 2022. Follow her on Instagram @mariarcalvert, @hispanicsinwine, and @latinxwinesummit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650645460135-UNIO3YB2BP9600N5OUF5/Katie+Calhoun.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Katie Calhoun - Level 2 Katie has devoted her entire career to the wine and spirits industry, and today brings over 30 years of public relations expertise to Calhoun & Company Communications. Through her work with a wide variety of wine and spirits companies, Katie has developed a broad perspective on the industry and built strong relationships in the press. Katie’s palate and tasting skills have earned her a place among top wine and spirits professionals as a national competition judge. She has judged at the Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Monterey County Wine Competition, and San Francisco World Spirits Competition; she also served as a regular taster at Wine & Spirits Magazine for over a decade. Katie’s wine industry affiliations include membership with Women for WineSense, Family Winemakers of California, Society of Wine Educators, Association of African American Vintners, Women of the Vine & Spirits and serves as a mentor for Bâtonnage. In 2023 Katie joined the UC Davis Enology & Viticulture Executive Leadership Board. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685061439406-A9WFJWSTXIN73TNP2AO2/JI2_1302.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Mitalee Gupte - Level 2 Mitalee has over 15 years of global experience in luxury marketing at LVMH, specializing in wines and spirits across India, Singapore, New York & California. Her expertise lies in developing dynamic marketing strategies to deliver commercial excellence in complex business scenarios by combining in-depth product/brand knowledge with a keen understanding of consumers and consumption trends across different market segments and demographics. Mitalee’s penchant for wine, especially champagne and bubbles, is deeply rooted in her family’s epicurean traditions of celebrating the everyday. Having completed a Bachelors in Mass Media from the University of Mumbai, with a major in Advertising & Communications, her career journey began with advertising, and found the perfect segway into marketing at LVMH. She is now based in Napa and is responsible for Marketing for the Brand Home, Club and CRM at Chandon California. Being a mom of twin toddler boys, she is a strong proponent for supporting working mothers, adding more diversity to the wine business, and working on sustainable marketing solutions for brands. She speaks English and French, in addition to 4 Indian regional languages and holds a WSET Level 2 certification. She is the on the board of directors for a local non-profit called Napa Moms, supporting a community of mothers in the valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685158031094-5ISTNCRS6ONJNBH30SZI/Headshot+2+-+Juliana+Colangelo.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Juliana Colangelo - Level 2 Juliana heads up the California division of Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. With over nearly 10 years in the agency, Juliana has managed multiple teams and divisions, as well as managed the execution of integrated communications for leading international and domestic wine companies such as Frescobaldi, Far Niente Wine Estates, Charles Krug and Jackson Family Wines. Since 2016, Juliana has led the development of the California office, bringing on representation of some of the industry’s leading wine companies, helping to increase the agency’s domestic business share and developing a talented team of 15 communications professionals for the agency’s domestic division. Along the way, Juliana has become a leading voice for the industry in marketing, communications strategy and career development serving as a mentor with Batonnage, and leading the agency’s pro bono initiatives with organizations such as the United Somm Foundation and the LatinX Wine Summit. Juliana completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University and in 2021 was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685027614154-LSCPD1ZNKDJYBKOA8RUN/DSC_0072%2Bslack%2B-%2BKatie%2BOwen.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Katie Owen - Level 2 Katie Owen is a trained Winemaker (MS Oenology, University of Adelaide) and holds the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits. She is currently the Director of Marketing for Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi Wines, Evening Land Vineyards, and Piedrasassi Wine & Bread. Katie previously worked in winemaking in Australia and the Napa Valley, as a Sommelier in various Los Angeles restaurants, and helped to lead product teams at two budding wine startups: Winc Wines and Nocking Point Wines. Today, Katie works with Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman to further develop the brands of their four wineries and increase direct to consumer sales through digital channels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670478571659-J37R5Q7K1GST8TGDVV92/Marlena+Glenn2.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Marlena Glenn Blitz - Level 2 Currently, Marlena is the Director of Partnerships at Provi coupling her client relationship, strategic planning and project management skills. Previous to her role at Provi, Marlena had over seven years of experience at Beverage Media (including two years at SevenFifty) where she combined her love of people and problem solving to wear many hats as “Marketing and Communications Manager.” A true utility player, Marlena has worked concurrently on business and strategy while managing marketing and communications, contributing to editorial, and flexing her commercial savvy. With a passion and degree in theater arts and psychology from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Marlena brings her insatiable intellectual curiosity to every element of the beverage alcohol industry and loves to connect with all three tiers of the trade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685502069582-CXQOQXBGB1CZO26QIIL0/IMG_4302.jpg Marketing & Comms 2023-Level 2 - Katie Dailey - Level 2 Katie Dailey is a Certified Sommelier, bubbly lover, and mom. After earning her degree in Economics at the University of California at Davis, where she also worked internships at small wineries in both winemaking and finance, Katie began her formal wine career with a role in retail sales for Gallo Sales Company. Katie excelled within Gallo, gaining experience over the last decade in Event Marketing, Hospitality and, most recently, as Associate Public Relations Manager. In one of her proudest career achievements, in 2022, Katie helped launch J Vineyards & Winery’s innovative Shifting the Lens culinary program, which supports inclusivity by showcasing diverse cuisines and unique, personal perspectives from guest chefs in the winery's culinary tasting space, The Bubble Room. Shifting the Lens returned in spring 2023 with a residency from Chef Tu David Phu and will continue in September with Chef Ana Castro’s traditional Mexican cuisine. Throughout her career, Katie has devoted time to continuing her wine and spirits education, earning her Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits and Certified Sommelier certificates. Katie currently lives in San Francisco with her husband, Michael. Together, they welcomed their son Hudson in March. https://www.batonnageforum.com/cellar-production-2023level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731004263-49SH53KZWPR9BK02UWER/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Jessica Koga - Program Lead Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731004263-49SH53KZWPR9BK02UWER/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Jessica Koga - Program Lead Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778549495-A1YMELHNW0S7HJA11CRG/Y+-+Evyn+Cameron+PhotoEmmaKMorris-07573+-+.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Evyn Cameron - Level 2 Hailing from Wyckoff, New Jersey, Evyn Cameron is the Winemaker of Crocker & Starr Wines in St. Helena. She has had experience in viticulture and winemaking in both Napa and New Zealand as well as traveling through different winemaking regions in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. Starting her career in hospitality, working for Thomas Keller’s Per Se restaurant in Manhattan, inevitably led her to fulfill her dream of working in Napa to become a winemaker. Evyn has been fortunate to have multiple female mentors throughout her career which has made her realize the importance of support and continuing to make sure other women have the tools and guidance to be successful. Photo credit: Emma K. Morris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670730755243-EUWA133589W33NTXKA6K/HeidiGrapes.credit+Dawn+Heumann+-+Batonnage.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Heidi von der Mehden - Level 2 Heidi von der Mehden grew up in Sonoma County’s Wine Country. She earned a degree in chemistry from Santa Clara University in 1997 and taught high school chemistry in Tanzania, Africa, while in the Peace Corps. She returned to Sonoma County in 2000 and joined the wine industry, working her way up the ranks at Kenwood Vineyards, Mauritson Winery and Arrowood Winery, where she was named Winemaker when Richard Arrowood stepped down. Merry Edwards hired Heidi as her Associate Winemaker in 2015. Heidi was named winemaker and Merry Edwards’ successor in 2018, becoming the only person other than Merry to hold that position at the winery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650887146481-W63CL4PQQQMJBY3M5P6X/Maura+Johnson.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Maura Johnson - Level 2 Maura Johnson grew up in Southern California but wanted something new for college, so went to UC Davis to study Mathematics. After hearing about the Viticulture and Enology department, she quickly switched focus and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Managerial Economics. Since 2018, Maura has been the Associate Winemaker at Dana Estates in Napa Valley specializing in small lot Cabernet Sauvignon production and working closely with the VASO brand. She has close to 20 harvests in experience, doing harvests in New Zealand, Australia, and Germany working in all aspects of vineyards and production. In 2015, Maura and her winemaking husband started their own brand, March Wines, specializing in Riesling and St. Laurent. Maura also is an active potter, beekeeper, and mother and loves to help newcomers into the wine industry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778715084-URR6S0XG14ZSILJMVC4U/Y%2B-%2BAnne%2BFogerty.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Anne Fogerty - Level 2 Anne Fogerty is the Associate Winemaker for Caterwaul Wines in Napa, California. She also has her own virtual label, Belharra Wines, with her wife. A native of Minnesota, she has grown her skills without a traditional winemaking degree and looks to create connections and support for persons across the industry. With 12 harvests in California, two in New Zealand, and multiple winemaking contacts across the globe, she continues to strive for education across all facets of winemaking and brand management. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778715084-URR6S0XG14ZSILJMVC4U/Y%2B-%2BAnne%2BFogerty.jpg Cellar Production 2023-Level 2 - Anne Fogerty - Level 2 (Copy) Anne Fogerty is the Associate Winemaker for Caterwaul Wines in Napa, California. She also has her own virtual label, Belharra Wines, with her wife. A native of Minnesota, she has grown her skills without a traditional winemaking degree and looks to create connections and support for persons across the industry. With 12 harvests in California, two in New Zealand, and multiple winemaking contacts across the globe, she continues to strive for education across all facets of winemaking and brand management. https://www.batonnageforum.com/hospitality-2023-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729197050-6FFKSUBMK0QYSVBVBX3G/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality 2023 - Level 2 - Liz Martinez - Program Lead Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729197050-6FFKSUBMK0QYSVBVBX3G/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality 2023 - Level 2 - Liz Martinez - Program Lead Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854377322-JK38GK0B1DMI0E6C9YU4/36+-+Elizabeth+Dames.jpg Hospitality 2023 - Level 2 - Elizabeth Dames - Level 2 Elizabeth Dames is the Wine Director for Capital City Club, a private club in the Atlanta area, as well as the CEO for her own consulting company, Wine Entwined. She is Level 3 Certified with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and is a French Wine Scholar having passed with Highest Honors. Additionally, she is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is preparing to sit for the Master’s Level Exam in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641854385581-WPRSWBTWYBPB51HHI18W/Caleb+Taft+-+Caleb+Taft.jpg Hospitality 2023 - Level 2 - Caleb Taft - Level 2 Born overseas, Caleb Taft spent his formative years in San Diego. After college, he began cooking professionally, but a move to San Francisco brought him into the world of wine. He worked as a retail wine buyer for a few years, before becoming the National Sales Manager for Vinum Cellars, where he sold wine in 30 states as well as a few international markets. Caleb then joined the staff of nopa restaurant as a manager in their first year of operations. He left to become the Wine Director and manager of Camino in Oakland and later returned to retail at Arlequin Wine Merchants in San Francisco. After a stint in sales, he helped open Nari Restaurant in San Francisco, where he helped build a diverse team focused on service and crafting guest experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670728548753-GM0XVU77984WLQU5WO0W/Cristina+Mascanzoni+Kaiser+Wine.JPG Hospitality 2023 - Level 2 - Cristina Mascanzoni Kaiser - Level 2 Educated at Cornell University in Marketing, Cristina has always worked in the world of hospitality. Daughter of hoteliers on Lake Garda, she worked at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, the Grand Hotel in Rimini and numerous other European luxury hotels. 5 years ago she created Club Appeal, a consulting company specializing in luxury hospitality with a focus on the world of golf and wine, which she promoted with her own exclusive brand WineHO. Sommellier, WSET certified, Cristina is a professor and lecturer at CUOA Business School in the Master of Wine Business and speaker at numerous international conferences (e.g. IWINETC, Tebec, Atlas) related to the world of wine tourism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729628177-6T6CL10EEEJVOUTZHMBQ/Haley+Moore.jpeg Hospitality 2023 - Level 2 - Haley Moore - Level 2 Haley Moore is the Founder of Acquire: a hospitality company in San Francisco CA, that is centered around bringing people together over food and wine. Acquire curates in person and virtual wine experiences, manages cellars for private clients and consults on beverage programs for restaurants across the country. Moore spent 15 years as a Sommelier and Wine Director in San Francisco, California. Her career galvanized in 2007, when she became the Wine Director at bacar at the age of 24. In 2009, she became the Lead Sommelier at Spruce, a one Michelin starred restaurant with a Grand Award-Winning wine list from the Wine Spectator. In 2012, she joined Stock & Bones as their Wine and Spirits Director overseeing four restaurants: Town Hall, Salt House, Anchor & Hope and Jersey in San Francisco. Today, she consults as Wine Director for Empress by Boon in San Francisco's Chinatown. She passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Exam in 2006 and is currently wrapping up the WSET Diploma Program. Next, she plans to pursue the Master of Wine Diploma, which is one of the highest achievements in the world of wine. Haley has been featured in articles both locally and nationally including: Forbes, Food & Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, The San Francisco Chronicle, MORE Magazine, The Sommelier Journal, and was named one of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s ‘Top 30 under 30’ Hospitality Professionals of America in 2008. https://www.batonnageforum.com/sales-and-distribution-2023-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736159983-GKUWJDEX2VHJO0BND1FG/anitha+gandhi.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead A theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, Anitha works in NYC and is always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. Follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736159983-GKUWJDEX2VHJO0BND1FG/anitha+gandhi.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead A theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, Anitha works in NYC and is always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. Follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685476000801-KUJGVXDA6A74Z4AHSWRZ/Katixa+Mercier.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Katixa Mercier - Level 2 Katixa Mercier started her career 18 years ago as a sommelier in fine dining; curating and managing award-winning programs in New Mexico. In 2010, Mercier started consulting for beverage programs for boutique restaurants and hotel groups to private collections nationally. In 2016, she was head-hunted for a sales position for a boutique wholesaler, Favorite Brands, where she quickly ran up the ranks becoming both Wine Portfolio Manager and Sales Manager. She consistently met with local government and participated in state senate hearings to repeal the then retaliatory tax on imports before the pandemic hit and continued to via Zoom thereafter. During the pandemic, Mercier additionally took on running the company alongside Texas-based leadership. With staff on furlough, this meant staging orders, running deliveries, merchandising and continuing to run the portfolio. While running deliveries in the early hours, she additionally met with state legislators via Zoom to advocate for local restaurants and retailers to continue business in any capacity. In 2021, she was offered a position with importer French Libation and soon after was approached by importer Boutique Wine Collection where she currently runs half of the United States representing families who specialize in indigenous varieties from their respective countries, throughout the eastern hemisphere. She continues to be active in the wine community both in local law reform and nationally as a mentor for Batonnage Forum, a women in wine mentoring program. Mercier is Parisian-Basque in heritage, grew up in Central America and is first generation United States citizen. She is multilingual, and has a penchant for Loire whites, a good pun and chips and currently shares a life in New Mexico with her sweetheart and two dachshunds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795436521-6Q0UWJL4GAYAN6CBHUV3/M+Egan+headshot+-+Michelle+Egan.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Michelle (Perry) Egan - Level 2 Michelle (Perry) Egan learned the wine business from the ground up, starting with her first job after graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She joined E. & J. Gallo Winery as a sales representative, and over the next seven years gained an invaluable foundation in virtually every aspect of the wine industry, including marketing, brand management, and sales strategy. In 2007, Michelle left Gallo to join Constellation Brands’ where she spent 11 years and over her tenure, she grew to VP, Fine Wine Marketing and the Direct-to-Consumer. Michelle had a short stint at Realm Cellars as VP, Sales & Marketing, where she learned further about the luxury consumer. Today, Michelle brings her extensive wine industry experience to Terlato Wine Group overseeing the Estate Family Brands wine marketing and Direct-to-Consumer sales for wineries including Chimney Rock Winery, Rutherford Hill, Sanford Winery, and Klipsun. Michelle has a tremendous track record as a strong leader with a wealth of experience across sales, marketing, and DTC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1673295963670-FO8LLCD3P6ULYMI5XLMW/Claudia+Schug+Schuetz.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Claudia Schug Schuetz - Level 2 Claudia grew up in a winemaking family in the Napa Valley in the late 1960s-1980s. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany, she returned to California in 2017 after spending nearly 30 years in Germany, where she raised her daughter (now 30), ran her own wine import and distribution company and managed the European export market for Schug. For six years, she also served as California Wine Institute’s German representative and its European Trade Education Ambassador. Claudia has a BA in Economics from Stanford University and attained the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits in 2009 after which she entered the Master of Wine program in 2010. Through her education and professional experience, she has built a global network, cultivated a deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry, and has tasted a broad range of wines of domestic and international importance. Claudia is active on several wine association committees, continuing her father’s collaborative spirit in advocating for California and Sonoma wines. Claudia was a Level 1 and Level 2 Batonnage mentor in 2022 and is excited about continuing as a Sales & Distribution mentor in 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650482819389-IPT29NO2N0CSTO9M9ZF9/Giuseppe+LoCascio+Profile+Pic.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Giuseppe LoCascio - Level 2 A New York City native, Giuseppe grew up in Italy where he graduated in Economics and Business Administration. Giuseppe moved back to New York in 2002 and in 2010 received his MBA from Fordham Graduate School of Business. Until August 2016, Giuseppe was the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian Wine Imports Division of The Winebow Group. In January 2017, Giuseppe founded his own Consulting Company and Import Agency, based in NYC. As an Agent, Giuseppe serves 12 US Markets with a selection of high-quality Italian wineries. In April 2017, Giuseppe became one of the few US-based Italian Wine Ambassadors for the Vinitaly International Academy program. Since 2019 Giuseppe has been teaching the class on the US Wine Market for the Master in Wine Business of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy. In July 2020, Giuseppe co-founded and launched Lucidity Wine Merchants, a boutique Import and Distribution company located in Sacramento, California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641795438505-1QF1Q23PD0EHMHSOZEY1/Laurie+Taboulet+-+Laurie+Taboulet.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Laurie Taboulet - Level 2 A native of Paris, Laurie Taboulet is a wine sales professional with twelve years of experience in the wine industry and a thorough knowledge of fine wine distribution in the United States and France. She has run sales for prestigious estates of Northern Rhône, Bordeaux and Napa, and has interned for harvest at sought-after small producers in California and Oregon. Laurie is currently based out of Sonoma and manages North Bay and San Francisco’s sales for Wilson Daniels. She holds a master’s degree in business from KEDGE and the Level 4 Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685476658444-MXLTJII4EPELJ0CXKVQR/Mariya+K.jpg Sales and Distribution 2023 - Level 2 - Mariya Kovacheva - Level 2 Born and raised in Bulgaria’s Thrace winegrowing region. Mariya never imagined she was destined to become a wine professional until she moved to the United States. During her career, she has acquired an intimate understanding of the restaurant industry through diverse roles in top establishments in US as Nantucket’s The Pearl, Rebecca’s and L’Escale in Greenwich, CT to Chef Daniel Boulud’s Head Sommelier in Palm Beach, FL. Her expertise in the beverage and hospitality world is based upon on-hand experience as well as years of education and training leading her to acquire the WSET Diploma in Wine and Spirits, CMS’s Master Sommelier Diploma and currently studying at theInstitute of Masters of Wine. In addition to her Wine and Spirits Expertise, Mariya has accomplished the Master of Business Administration degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. While in the program, she was awarded the Shaping Leaders Fellowship as well as the LeadershipInitiative Designation. In her current role at Pernod Ricard North America, she applies her educational and business experiences to shape the organization’s wine educational approach while gaining a deep understanding of the spirits business sector. Mariya resides with her husband, Pavel and two border terriers, Ramses and Ziggy in West Palm Beach, FL. https://www.batonnageforum.com/viticulture-2023-level-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885580491-AIMN7E39BBVTFE5IL233/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Mary Maher - Program Lead Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885580491-AIMN7E39BBVTFE5IL233/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Mary Maher - Program Lead Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670777907213-123AM6XMRQDKGX4IPN7B/Elizabeth+Tangney.jpg Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Elizabeth Tangney - Level 2 As a vineyard manager and winemaking, Elizabeth Tangney’s vision comes from a deep love for the land. Wine made through a farmer’s lens is an art which Elizabeth has honed throughout her impressive career. With her gifted palate, inspired leadership and exacting standards, Elizabeth takes a hands-on approach as she crafts her wines.While studying French in school, Elizabeth began to create a community centered around food and wine. Before joining Cornell Vineyards in 2018, Elizabeth spent her years in the varied terrains of Sonoma County, Saint-Émilion, Napa and Paso Robles. Elizabeth received her B.S. in Viticulture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778541834-OQA0VCP4WVTJCDRJB8B7/Y+-+Cathy+Corison.jpg Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Cathy Corison - Level 2 Cathy Corison, the first woman Winemaker-Proprietor in the Napa Valley, produces three Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, hand-crafted without compromise. Her wines are powerful and elegant at the same time, have a sense of place, and are structured to grace the table and enjoy a long, distinguished life. Cathy harvested her 35 th vintage of Corison in 2021! Academic preparation included a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA and an M.S. in Enology from U.C. Davis. Decades of winemaking for others, including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family Winery, Long Meadow Ranch and York Creek Vineyards, left her eager to express her own winemaking voice. She is guided by her belief that winemaking and wine appreciation are a timeless, creative celebration of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782619120-RCPCA16FH9XK9SVXCC0A/Unknown+-+Julia+van+der+Vink.png Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Julia van der Vink - Level 2 Julia van der Vink is a Vineyard Manager at Harlan Estate who specializes in regenerative winegrowing practices on hillsides. Julia began her career in the wine industry at age 18, while she was completing her degree in Government and Economics from Harvard. She spent her free time during college studying for her WSET diploma, (passing 5/6 units with distinction), and stocking shelves at Ball Square Fine Wines in exchange for the opportunity to taste weekly with the buying team. Julia has experience working with multiple winemakers and winegrowers around the world, including Forlorn Hope, Mayacamas, MacDonald, Jasud Estate, and Enterprise Vineyard Management in California; Mac Forbes in Australia; Burn Cottage in New Zealand; and Mullineux Wines in South Africa. You can follow her on Instagram at @jvandervink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650979429915-ANQUA8ZBPX4UQ35VD3FL/Sophie+Drucker+profile.jpg Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Sophie Drucker - Level 2 Sophie was initially drawn to the wine industry after becoming fascinated with its unique ability to combine science, gastronomy, art and culture. After completing her undergraduate studies at UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology she worked in vineyards and cellars throughout the Napa, Sonoma, Portugal, and New Zealand. Returning to California, she completed a master’s degree in Horticulture and Agronomy at UC Davis, with a focus on furthering the understanding of water use efficiency across a selection of grapevine rootstocks. From Davis she started working for Boisset Collection. 11 years later she is the Director of Winegrowing, overseeing estate vineyard management as well as grower relations for all the Boisset properties. Sophie sees herself as an applied ecologist, managing vineyards as ecosystems and striving to build biodiversity within the systems. She is excited to work with other passionate women and foster bright new energy for a rapidly changing industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685477481391-0LNKF0N72EGW3QWEPNIN/Leslie+Hill.jpg Viticulture 2023 - Level 2 - Leslie Caccamese Hill - Level 2 Leslie Caccamese Hill currently serves as the CEO of Oak Knoll Farming, a boutique vineyard management company that farms 800 acres of premium wine grapes in Napa and Sonoma. Leslie is a licensed Farm Labor Contractor leading a team 25 year-round and 125 seasonal employees. She still oversees some 200 acres herself and interprets her role as helping clients manage the business of owning a vineyard. Prior to joining the wine industry, Leslie served as a member of the management team at Great Place to Work Institute and had the privilege of working with some of the nation’s most well -regarded business leaders. From her experience at Great Place to Work, she understands that a high-trust work environment is key to producing strong business results. Leslie is a passionate natural farming enthusiast. She is Level II certified in Korean Natural Farming, trained by noted natural farmer, Chris Trump. A few of her favorite things include weight training, nights with no frost alarms, and traveling the Italian countryside with her husband, Doug. https://www.batonnageforum.com/new-gallery-1 daily 0.75 2023-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead Annette Alvarez-Peters is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising strategies for the wine and spirits industry. Annette sits on the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines and MISA Imports, a global importer and distributor for wine and spirits. In addition, she is involved and serves as a Mentor with non-profit organization Wine Unify, an organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry and involved with the Batonnage Forum Mentorship program as the Head of Industry Area of Focus for Retail, an organization designed to stir up conversations about equality and forward progress for women in wine. Annette previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale - including 25 years in the beverage alcohol department, where she led the buying team for the USA. Annette retired in 2020 as Asst. Vice President / GMM. Alvarez-Peters was named as a top leader in the wine industry by M. Shanken Communications, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Decanter. She holds the Diploma certification from Wine & Spirit Education Trust, along with a Certified Wine Educator certificate from Society of Wine Educators. Annette has been inducted into the following associations: Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc; Champagne’s Ordre des Coteaux des Champagne and Chateauneuf du Pape Echansonnerie des Papes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898378421-667IFNURBL6U2IY4UXWT/Jenn+Profile+-+Jenn+Holterman.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Jenn Holterman - Level 2 Jenn Holterman is the Merchandise Director of Wine on the Adult Beverages team at Target. Jenn has been at Target for 13 years with the most recent 10 years on the Adult Beverage team and holds her WSET Level 2 Certification. She began her career in Space/Presentation followed by the Multicultural team supporting Beauty/Healthcare. When she started on the Adult Beverage team, she held several buying roles both regionally and nationally in Wine and Spirits prior to her current role. During her time on the Adult Beverage team, she more than doubled the business to over $1B today through elevated store experiences, new licenses and launching several successful national brands. In addition, she introduced the regional buying model for Target, launched Adult Bev Order Pick-up/Drive-up nationally in nearly 1,200 stores and developed and launched over 14 exclusively launched brands (including California Roots which is now a top wine brand at Target). Jenn has accomplished all this growth while maintaining her passion for driving diversity in the wine industry and delivering curated offerings that are authentic, trend-forward and innovative for the Target guest. She enjoys mentoring other women in the industry and sharing how to build relationships and how to work with large retailers. Jenn is married to her husband Andy and together they have two little boys - Nicholas and Bennett. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, biking and watching sports with her family. Follow Jenn on Instagram @jenneane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670738759605-Z8TXFT9MDBGF5VNSOZYC/Amy+Chen.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Anny Chen - Level 2 Anny Chen has meticulously worked in the wonderful world of Fine Wine for 13 years. She is a Senior Fine Wine Consultant at Morrell & Company, assisting private clients source top wines for their cellars, focusing on blue chip producers and new cult wines that are the next big thing. Her focus is quite niche, hyperfocused on building one-on-one relationships with top collectors in the fine wine world. Anny started her career in wine in 2009 on the sales floor of Zachys Wine & Liquor and was quickly promoted throughout the years up to Vice President of Sales. She has a similar passion for travel and augments her wine education through trips to Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux, tasting with winemakers whenever possible. Chen holds a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential and the WSET Level 3 Advanced. She is a Founding Member of Societe des Ami du Champagne (SAC) in New York and a member of the Hue Society NYC Chapter. Anny graduated cum laude from New York University with a double major in International Relations and East Asian Studies, and holds a Master of Science in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Prior to her entry into the wine world, Anny worked in Sales and Trading at Bank of America. Follow Anny on Instagram at @annerz35. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670739238755-RB1VT5UT8W8Z58167SYJ/CaraPatriciaDECANTsf.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Cara Patricia - Level 2 Cara is a wine professional who has worked at the highest tiers of hospitality and is known for her relaxed style of wine education under her motto"Drink for Yourself”--a reminder that regardless of the trends and fads of the beverage world, the most important thing is what makes YOU happy. Cara has a long history in service and leadership and is a regular panelist, moderator and contributor at wine publications and events, including Guest Sommelier roles at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, LA Food & Wine, La Paulée, La Tablée, and Meals on Wheels Gala. Cara also worked as a fine wine sales consultant in boutique wine retail and for many years as a luxury Champagne Specialist for Moët Hennessy. In San Francisco, she was Lead Sommelier at Hakkasan and won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2013, simultaneously overseeing the $3MM cellar of Bright Wine Fund & Michelin Three-Star restaurant Saison as Cellarmaster, which received the Wine Spectator Grand Award under her tenure. Cara dreamed of owning her own business from the early days of her career, and DECANTsf is the storied realization of her passion and experience. Follow Cara on Instagram @carapatriciaSF. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670738908947-5RR5INQS912CXNO3QP7B/KatieWallaceHeadshot.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Katherine Wallace - Level 2 Katherine Wallace is a Principal Category Merchant on Whole Foods Market’s Global Wine Buying Team, overseeing our domestic wine and sake assortment in partnership with regional buyers across the country. Katherine began her career at Whole Foods Market as a logistics intern and spent several years as a global buyer on the Produce team before joining the Global Specialty Team.Katherine is focused on how wines are made, winemakers’ stories behind them and bringing the best value and assortment to the customer. She is passionate about supporting local brands, in addition to wineries with organic regenerative farming practices and that are female/owned operated. Katherine received her degree in Agricultural Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is currently a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Chapter and an industry mentor for the Roots Fund. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670778862402-WXV466F3MLZ5HVI0HK3A/_DSC9118-Edit+-+Alexandria+Sarovich.jpg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Alexandria Sarovich - Level 2 Alexandria (Alex) Sarovich is the Wine Director at Little Saint (a restaurant, cafe and wine shop), Single Thread’s more casual sister restaurant in Healdsburg, CA. Her vision is to create an accessible wine program and be part of a dedicated team committed to creating a unique gathering space that will foster and support the community. Alex’s career in hospitality has included SingleThread, E2 Hospitality and Melbourne’s fine dining, Attica. Alex’s love for all things food and wine began with the joy she experienced gathering around the dinner table with her family. Her passions have led her to study Sustainability and farming extensively as well. Sarovich is a native Chicagoian, an avid traveler and a passionate teacher. Her interests also include using food and herbs as medicine, cooking, being outdoors, biking, hiking and yoga. Mentorship is a huge passion of hers and it means the world to her to pass on the knowledge that has been with her along the years. This will be Alex's second year of Battonage Mentorship. She can provide insight on building confidence, running wine programs both on and off premise, trends in wine, Sustainability & Climate as it relates to the wine world & more! Follow Alex on Instagram @alexannsarovich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898318067-SGCWL0E14AAFFQKK1965/IMG_0017+-+Rachel+Gross.JPG Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Rachel Gross - Level 2 Rachel Gross is the Sr. Category Manager of Retail Wine at GoPuff. For her entire career Rachel has worked on the retail side of the business. Initially starting in fashion and then transitioning into wine. She joined GoPuff in May 2022 leading their brick & mortar wine business, which includes BevMo! And Liquor Barn. She was previously the Director of New World wines at Total Wine & More for 12 years. Gross loves the complexity of the wine industry and helping others dissect and navigate through the 3-tier system. She excels at building strong relationships and negotiation skills, while many times she has been the only woman at the table. A big supporter of women in the industry, she strives to help all women grow and build relationships. Rachel is looking forward to helping mentees navigate entry and exploration into the wine industry, providing insight on remote work vs. office work environments and the positivity of career transitions. Rachel resides in Gaithersburg, MD with her husband Stephen and two children Jacob and Eliana. Gross attended Indiana University; she is a huge foodie who will make her way through any Best of Washingtonian or Michelin list. Her hobbies also include hiking, being outdoors with her family and traveling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685479312583-ZPFFGB9JHP5IZKU2RVRG/Paula+de+Pano.jpeg Retail 2023 - Level 2 - Paula de Pano - Level 2 Paula de Pano is the founder and owner of Rocks + Acid, the mission-based wine shop and tasting room opening this Spring in Chapel Hill, NC. Named for the terroir and acid-focused wines that she will feature, Rocks + Acid is based on a set of core principles, which de Pano refers to as “basic human kindness” and will have a strong focus on wine education. The award-winning sommelier, wine educator and one of the leading wine professionals of the South, recognized by Wine Enthusiast as one of the country’s “Five Filipino and Filipino-American Sommeliers helping to change the narrative in the United States, is the former Beverage Director for the Five Diamond, Relais & Chateaux Fearrington House Inn and Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC. In addition to her nine years at Fearrington House Inn (2010-2014; 2016-2021), she spent two-years (2014-2016) as Senior Sommelier at Eleven Madison Park, New York City’s prestigious, three Michelin star restaurant and “Best Restaurant in the World,” during which time the restaurant received the “Outstanding Service” award from the James Beard Foundation. Originally from Manila, de Pano attended the Culinary Institute of America and holds the Advanced Sommelier title from The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, the second-highest sommelier ranking, following Master Sommelier. https://www.batonnageforum.com/wine-business daily 0.75 2024-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - Priyanka French - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778610420-BVHEP2YUT39UZIC47IFK/priyanka+french+2.jpg Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - Priyanka French - Program Lead Originally from Mumbai, Priyanka French is one of the few female Indians to hold a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis. She built her experience working at wineries in Napa as well as traveling through the regions of Burgundy, Cognac, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Prior to joining Signorello Estate as Winemaker, she worked at Dalla Valle Vineyards where she had a chance to clearly understand the importance of female led businesses and initiatives. Her winemaking style focusses on precision viticulture and restrained winemaking that allows fruit expression as dictated by the site. In her new role, she hopes to open avenues for diversity in the industry and always remain a supporter of female driven enterprises. You can follow her on Instagram at @priyad87. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670740208719-7X55F3P81CGUUQ4OKER1/JiaMin+Dierberg.jpeg Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - JiaMin Dierberg - Level 2 Native Chinese, immigrated to the U.S. after obtaining B.S. degree from Kansai University in Japan. Joined family business Star Lane & Dierberg Vineyards in 2008 and since has been building export business in Asia and beyond. In the midst of pandemic, JiaMin started her involvement in management of other family businesses in Hermann, Missouri including a winery, several tasting rooms, brewery and pub, restaurant and an upscale lodging operation. JiaMin has also actively involved in various nonprofit organizations with their development and fundraising needs. She serves on several boards including St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum, City Academy, St. Louis Modern Chinese School, Missouri Botanical Garden, Dierberg Educational Foundation and Best USA Educational Foundation. JiaMin enjoys food and wine, art, travel, cooking and gardening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670740119864-PRE6O4EQ8F3Y49NNAP3P/Tais+Tillman.jpg Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - Taïs Tillman - Level 2 Taïs graduated with a degree in Business, and a minor in Human Resource Management. After spending almost a decade doing HR for big tech, she made the decision to move to Italy to study wine. Upon her return to the US, she started working in the wine industry where she has worked as a Director in a membership-based marketing organization, a GM of small and medium wineries, and an operational consultant. Taïs currently works developing and executing strategic marketing educational programs for winery clients in the US and abroad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1692206465236-KRT282RLUJJKL7WFKCKX/Sarah+Pearson.png Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - Sarah Pearson - Level 2 Sarah Pearson is CEO at Dobbes Family Estate/Wine by Joe. Most recently, Pearson served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales at the company, where she led marketing and sales efforts in all channels of the Dobbes Family Estate and Wine by Joe business including direct to consumer, domestic wholesale and export sales and marketing. Prior to her move to Oregon in 2018, she was Marketing Director at 3 Badge Beverage in Sonoma where she oversaw marketing for the beer, wine and spirits divisions. Earlier, she served as Director of Marketing at Hess Family Wine Estates in Napa where she led the direct to consumer and brand marketing efforts for seven domestic and international brands. In addition, she held key marketing positions with Constellation Brands, Freixenet USA and Treasury Wine Estates leading cross-functional teams in consumer and brand marketing efforts, including the development of new products, the revitalization of existing brands with new packaging and focused channel marketing efforts. A graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, Pearson is multi-lingual in Spanish, French and Hebrew, and is a certified Spanish Wine Educator, granted by the Spanish Wine Academy in San Francisco. She holds the WSET Level 2 from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, and the Basic Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers. She studied French at La Sorbonne in Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1692206609337-0QJ1VCQ8HUQ3EUS48BH0/Eva+w+Vine.jpeg Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - Eva Bertran - Level 2 Eva Bertran was raised in Barcelona, Spain, to a wine merchant family that goes back generations. After earning her MBA at ESADE, she moved to Sonoma, California, in 1987 as part of the original team that launched Gloria Ferrer Winery. For over 30 years, Eva formed part of the management team of both Gloria Ferrer Winery and the Ferrer family import company, Freixenet USA, where she launched and grew brands both boutique and high-volume brands from over 20 of the best-known appellations in eight countries, spanning Old and New World. Over those three decades, Eva oversaw the winery’s operations and developed great teams to lead in Marketing, Communications, DTC, Sales, and Finance. She traveled extensively as an ambassador to sales teams, distributors, trade organizations, and the public at events and tastings. In 2019, she founded a business consulting company, Eva Bertran Consulting LLC, that assists domestic and import wineries and trade associations with strategic planning, business development, and sales plans. Eva has served on the board and as President of Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers. She was member of various committees in those associations as well as the California Wine Institute and Carneros Wine Alliance. She worked closely with Foods & Wines from Spain, SOPEXA (France), Wines from Argentina, and Wines from Italy. She also serves as member of the Program Development Committee for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Eva is fluent in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, and Italian, and has traveled to over 50 appellations around the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1692207199968-0YE9BQMHZRHTXZ5UN8EK/Janet+Pagano.jpg Wine Business 2023 - Level 2 - Janet Pagano - Level 2 Janet Pagano is COO for BRAND Napa Valley. SHe is a wine industry executive specializing in general management, luxury brand development, direct-to-consumer marketing, business start-ups, transactions, winery construction and vineyard development. https://www.batonnageforum.com/marketing-communications-2024-level-1-mentors-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg M&C 2024 L1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane LLC, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg M&C 2024 L1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead (Copy) Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her career in the wine industry began during her last year at university while studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. Since then, Katie has lived in Rioja (Logroño), Burgundy (Dijon), and the UK (Manchester), studying and working in various sectors of the wine industry: production (including harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley), wine writing, retail, hospitality, and distribution. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has led marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now co-owns PR, marketing, and event agency O’Donnell Lane. Katie holds a M.Sc. degree in Wine Business and WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. She serves on the board of Bâtonnage Forum—a nonprofit organization focused on supporting women in wine—and has served as Marketing & Communications Program Lead for the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg M&C 2024 L1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead (Copy) Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her career in the wine industry began during her last year at university while studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. Since then, Katie has lived in Rioja (Logroño), Burgundy (Dijon), and the UK (Manchester), studying and working in various sectors of the wine industry: production (including harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley), wine writing, retail, hospitality, and distribution. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has led marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now co-owns PR, marketing, and event agency O’Donnell Lane. Katie holds a M.Sc. degree in Wine Business and WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. She serves on the board of Bâtonnage Forum—a nonprofit organization focused on supporting women in wine—and has served as Marketing & Communications Program Lead for the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670478571659-J37R5Q7K1GST8TGDVV92/Marlena+Glenn2.jpg M&C 2024 L1 - Marlena Glenn Blitz - Level 2 (Copy) Currently, Marlena is the Director of Partnerships at Provi coupling her client relationship, strategic planning and project management skills. Previous to her role at Provi, Marlena had over seven years of experience at Beverage Media (including two years at SevenFifty) where she combined her love of people and problem solving to wear many hats as “Marketing and Communications Manager.” A true utility player, Marlena has worked concurrently on business and strategy while managing marketing and communications, contributing to editorial, and flexing her commercial savvy. With a passion and degree in theater arts and psychology from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Marlena brings her insatiable intellectual curiosity to every element of the beverage alcohol industry and loves to connect with all three tiers of the trade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg M&C 2024 L1 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead (Copy) Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her career in the wine industry began during her last year at university while studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. Since then, Katie has lived in Rioja (Logroño), Burgundy (Dijon), and the UK (Manchester), studying and working in various sectors of the wine industry: production (including harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley), wine writing, retail, hospitality, and distribution. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has led marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now co-owns PR, marketing, and event agency O’Donnell Lane. Katie holds a M.Sc. degree in Wine Business and WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. She serves on the board of Bâtonnage Forum—a nonprofit organization focused on supporting women in wine—and has served as Marketing & Communications Program Lead for the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://www.batonnageforum.com/cellar-production-mentors25 daily 0.75 2025-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731004263-49SH53KZWPR9BK02UWER/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Jessica Koga - Program Lead Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731004263-49SH53KZWPR9BK02UWER/Jessica+Koga.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Jessica Koga - Program Lead Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Follow her on Instagram at @winechik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749590597681-ETTI0E7D9VQ9TG2IN733/Fogerty+bio+photo.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Anne Fogerty Anne Fogerty is the Associate Winemaker for Caterwaul Wines in Napa, California. She also has her own virtual label, Belharra Wines, with her wife. A native of Minnesota, she has grown her skills without a traditional winemaking degree and looks to create connections and support for persons across the industry. With 15 harvests in California, two in New Zealand, and multiple winemaking contacts across the globe, she continues to strive for professional development across all facets of winemaking and brand management. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749590800442-MJTU9S5NHV0X0Y98SMP8/2021+Harvest+2.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Colleen FitzGerald Colleen FitzGerald has built her winemaking career within Pine Ridge Vineyards, rising from laboratory technician to her current role as winemaker and winery operations manager over the past decade. With a biochemistry degree from California Polytechnic State University, she leverages her scientific background to bring analytical precision to her craft. Her strength lies in her ability to artfully balance science and artistry in winemaking, creating exceptional wines across all price points. Her technical expertise has enabled her to successfully scale production of the Chenin Blanc + Viognier brand while maintaining the wine's distinctive character and quality. She shares her passion for both the science and the art of creating wines that express the unique character of their terroir. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719784084452-DFI036ZRFB8QD3E10YCY/Y+-+Evyn+Cameron+PhotoEmmaKMorris-07573+-+.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Evyn Cameron Evyn Cameron is a winemaker in Napa Valley with over 15 years of experience in the luxury winemaking and viticulture space. Knowledgeable in brand development, DTC and wholesale business. Mentor for Batonnage Forum and The Roots Foundation as well as on the board of directors for Napa Green. Heavily interested in social and environmental sustainability. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783905997-70UCPK6PY1X3M3FRBEL1/HB+2021.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Heidi Bridenhagen Heidi Bridenhagen has been working in the wine industry for 15years. Her primary role -as Head Winemaker for MacRostie Winery- is on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir winemaking in the Sonoma Coast Region. Heidi’s experience extends beyond winemaking with her focus on viticulture to support her winemaking style with the development of a new vineyard in 2018 in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Heidi also has experience in operations and project management with the build of a Pinot Noir facility in 2015. Heidi’s, most recent passion project is her involvement with launching a new brand – dough wines- which is a collaboration with the James Beard Foundation, working closely with them on impact programs to promote advocacy and sustainability facing the food industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705695969376-C07779XQHZV59708OKYP/IMG_0984.jpeg Cellar & Production 2025 - Kimberlee Nicolls Over a career spanning almost 30 years, Kimberlee Nicholls has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley's most respected winemakers. With a gifted palate, and three decades of Napa Valley winemaking knowledge and experience, Kim crafts wines of character and complexity from Markham's 350 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards in Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749591246084-4S0Z7MLBIH7IL59OMSQG/LauraCypress1.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Laura Cypress Laura is an enthusiastic advocate for East Coast wines. Her interest in food science and fermentation brought her to the University of California, Davis where she graduated in 2013 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology, a minor in French language, and the desire to get messy. Following graduation, Laura spent the 2013 vintage at Domaine de l’Arlot in Premeaux-Prissey, Burgundy, as a laureate of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. From there, Laura continued to harvest-hop globally and domestically, cleaning presses and digging out tanks in Tennessee, California, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia, and New York. She ultimately found a home in the Hudson River Region, New York, where she spent seven vintages as a winemaker making everything from premium single-vineyard Cabernet Franc to delightfully juicy hybrid blush. In 2023, Laura joined the technical team with Laffort USA, representing the East Coast and Midwest as a technical winemaker. These days, she offers technical support, winemaking protocols and seminars to winemakers across the country. Laura dreams of making winemaking accessible to everyone and is excited to be a resource to winemakers elevating the reputation of East Coast wines. When not troubleshooting tricky cellar situations, Laura enjoys hiking, biking, listening to the radio, donating blood, and exploring the Hudson Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749590940738-NJWC1OE19M4LH2NGZPU7/IMG_3343.jpeg Cellar & Production 2025 - Lindsey Wallingford As both Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, Lindsey Wallingford embodies the belief that the best wines are made in the vineyard. In this dual role, Lindsey works alongside the winery’s in-house vineyard team, guiding the farming of the estate’s 14 individual blocks. In the winery, she applies her talents to single clone fermentations each harvest, to ultimately create three different Cabernet Sauvignons from the property and to ensure that each wine reflects the Estate and the age-worthy style of Saint Helena Winery. Lindsey began her career studying and working in vineyards of Washington State before she could even legally drink. She laughs when she thinks about the times her supervisors would help her purchase bottles of wine so she could become familiar with the effects of “terroir.” Since then, Lindsey has worked in the wine regions of Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, and across California. Lindsey is dedicated to the land, and bringing out the best of the property. Through organic farming practices, minimizing tillage, and introducing honey bees, Lindsey and Saint Helena Winery are continuously striving to leave the land better than it was found. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750086336979-QPT908ERT8OY28PWB1I2/IMG_1005.png Cellar & Production 2025 - Rachael Froehlich Rachael studied Biology at Purdue University, and not knowing what to do with her degree she decided to travel the world. After graduation she moved to Switzerland to be with her family. While studying German there, she decided she wanted to teach in Thailand. Moving to Chiang Rai in 2013 to pursue this dream, she taught Biology and English to Thai students. After a year, and visiting several surrounding countries, she had heard of a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand. Taking what little money she saved from teaching, she headed to NZ, traveling and camping around the country. When she ran out of money, she applied for a harvest internship as a Cellar Hand at Kim Crawford. They asked her to stay on and return the following year to work as a lab tech, she joyfully agreed. After her second harvest, she moved to Napa, working at Inglenook as their Harvest Enologist. She then jetted off to Australia for harvest down-under, working in Hunter Valley and Tasmania. She returned to Inglenook, and found herself interested in staying in California. She took a job as an Assistant Winemaker at Roche Winery in Sonoma. Interested in returning to Napa, she took a job with Ca’momi Winery. Realizing she wanted a more involved position; she joined the RD Winery Team. After three years as the Assistant Winemaker and Production Manager, she was promoted to Director of Winery Operations. Managing all aspects of the production facility. She holds a WSET 3 Certification in Wine, as well as the Wine Business Management Certification from Sonoma State. She obtained her MBA from Sonoma State University in 2023. When not working or in school, she can be found hiking, camping, teaching yoga, or at spin class. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719784070501-XDUIHP8T6UYSYY0D5O0I/Maura+Johnson.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Maura Johnson Maura Johnson grew up in Southern California but wanted something new for college, so went to UC Davis to study Mathematics. After hearing about the Viticulture and Enology department, she quickly switched focus and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Managerial Economics. Since 2018, Maura has been the Associate Winemaker at Dana Estates in Napa Valley specializing in small lot Cabernet Sauvignon production and working closely with the VASO brand. She has close to 20 harvests in experience, doing harvests in New Zealand, Australia, and Germany working in all aspects of vineyards and production. In 2015, Maura and her winemaking husband started their own brand, March Wines, specializing in Riesling and St. Laurent. Maura also is an active potter, beekeeper, and mother and loves to help newcomers into the wine industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705694758349-SPA1IT6JZAPY5EZQ67RU/LMR_Lisanne_2022-9213-WEB.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Lisanne Leask Lisanne Leask is the Director of Winemaking at Long Meadow Ranch, overseeing winemaking across the Napa Valley and Anderson Valley estates as well as making extra virgin olive oil and hard apple cider. After almost twenty years in the industry, she has experience in a variety of positions including Harvest Intern, Enologist, and Associate Winemaker. Lisanne honed her winemaking skills in the Napa Valley at Stags’ Leap Winery, Schramsberg, Miner Family Winery, and Rutherford Hill Winery. She also gained international experience at Grove Mill in New Zealand and Antinori’s Tenuta Tignanello in Italy. Lisanne received her degree in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis. She believes mentorship is a powerful component of success both in terms of developing a winemaking style and learning to lead teams. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705694726235-R5BSCMVYVWBQXBGDIFDI/IMG_0554.jpeg Cellar & Production 2025 - Elizabeth Vianna Elizabeth Vianna is active in the Napa Valley serving on the boards of both NVV and Stags Leap District Wine Growers. She looks forward to continuing my mentorship and contributing to the community of women in the wine industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705694780379-XO8CTWXW5RRSQKJQQUOY/Cayuse_20220509_1397-Edit-4.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Elizabeth Bourcier A Seattle native with French roots, Elizabeth began her winemaking career at the age of 18, studying at Walla Walla Community College's Institute for Enology and Viticulture. Following graduation, Elizabeth finished her degree in Viticulture at California Polytechnic State University before working harvests in the United States and Argentina. Shortly after returning to Walla Walla, Elizabeth began working at Cayuse as a lab tech in 2008, before moving upwards into the role as Assistant Vigneronne. She was responsible for creating the wines of No Girls, a sister brand to Cayuse Vineyards, which champions women in wine. In 2021 Elizabeth ascended further and is now the Resident Vigneronne for Bionic Wines. Aside from overseeing the Bionic wines portfolio, Elizabeth founded La Rata Wines, a small production Spanish-inspired wine brand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705694746622-EUUQVNMPY2P1NMT2CSIF/DSC00807.JPG Cellar & Production 2025 - Kira Ballotta Kira Ballotta is the owner and winemaker for Olivia Brion and Cantadora wines. Her winery specializes in organically farmed fine wine that features the stories of trailblazing women from history (Olivia Brion) and today (Cantadora). Her career in wine began in 2010 when she got the opportunity to value several wineries in her career in Investment Banking. After a brief stint in Business Analytics at Constellation, she moved into wine production full time in 2013. She worked in the lab, cellar and vineyard across multiple properties in Napa and Australia before landing her full-time job with Alpha Omega in 2015. She worked her way up from Production Assistant to Enology Research Manager, coordinating all winemaking trails, many of which were under the umbrella of tannin analysis. In 2016 she began making her own commercial wine under the Olivia Brion label. In 2019 the founder of Olivia Brion retired and she assumed all winemaking and financial interests. In 2021 she launched Cantadora wines to incorporate women today, who inspire her, into her wine project. In January she was honored by Imbibe Magazine as an Imbibe 75 for the people who will shape Food & Drinks in 2024. Wine Business Monthly awarded Cantadora their “Hot Brand” honor for 2024. Kira resides in Napa with her husband and two little boys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705694733124-QAW0WEPGI7DHLT4MRJ7U/4A6FC70D-DB65-497E-B684-A79CD9D53DB5_1_105_c.jpeg Cellar & Production 2025 - Maya Dalla Valle A first-generation American of Japanese and Italian descent, Maya Dalla Valle earned her first degree in viticulture and enology from Cornell, and a second in vineyard and winery management from Bordeaux’s Science Agro University. She’s worked at places like Ornellaia e Masseto in Italy, Bodega Rolland in Argentina and chateaus Pétrus, Latour and Canon-La-Gaffelière in Bordeaux. In 2017, Dalla Valle returned home to direct winegrowing and winemaking at her family winery. In 2019 she lead the conversion of the vineyard to Biodynamic farming and introduced new winemaking practices such as working with in house cultivated native yeasts and amphorae. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705694794820-3JMRMKN1LRZTK4WLZLBE/CG+Profile.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Claudia Gerecke Claudia is an Associate Winemaker for E&J Gallo Winery in Canandaigua, NY. With 9 harvests under her belt, she has worked in the Finger Lakes, NY, Marlborough, NZ, and the Central Valley, CA. Her very first harvest was working in Livingston, CA working on Apothic and Carnivor wines. From there she spent 5 years working as a Research Winemaker in Modesto, CA. She gained experience working with fruit from all over California in a grape-to-glass winery doing everything from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and fortified, and more. She then moved back to production winemaking and has been working on Kosher and flavored wines in New York with a brief intermission for a Southern Hemisphere harvest in New Zealand. Claudia graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Biological Sciences prior to joining the wine industry and is from New York City. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706577971958-2DU9Y5EN7P08TP4KXTQR/batonnage+logo.jpg Cellar & Production 2025 - Virginia Usher Director of Winemaking at Mendocino Wine Company, Virginia Usher is the backbone that supports the winery in making sustainable, organic wines that are true to the roots of the county’s legacy. She oversees all aspects of production and winemaking for the company’s portfolio of seven in-house brands and custom crush operations. A self-proclaimed boots-on-the-ground orchestrator between the winery’s owners, the cellar team, and the winemaking team, Virginia brings an exceptional blend of talents to her role. With a distinguished career marked by her hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to both the craft and its people, Virginia stands out as a true leader in the field. She puts people first, creating opportunities for their growth, which ultimately contributes to the winery’s growth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641778568026-FDJAWT98MRVAA5CYK3FQ/Y+-+Natalie+Bath+-+Natalie+Bath.JPG Cellar & Production 2025 - Natalie Bath A native of St. Helena, California, Natalie Bath came back to the Napa Valley after graduating college with the intention of applying to law school. However, she fell back in love with the beauty of the Napa Valley and gained a new appreciation for wine while working at Angèle restaurant in Napa. Natalie started her career in winemaking working harvests at Etude, Villa Maria in New Zealand, and Littorai in Sebastopol, before joining Rudd Estate in 2012. Natalie joined the Winemaking team as a cellar hand, and was then promoted to oenologist in 2016 (the same year she travelled to Bordeaux to work harvest at Château Pétrus), Assistant Winemaker in 2017 at Rudd Estate, and Lead Winemaker for Crossroads in 2018. After nearly a decade influencing the wines both in the cellar and in the vineyards, Natalie became Winemaker of Rudd Estate in 2021. https://www.batonnageforum.com/hospitality-mentors-25 daily 0.75 2025-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706479635105-1GJIKP8VMNQUK5JQVHN3/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Liz Martinez - Program Lead Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706479635105-1GJIKP8VMNQUK5JQVHN3/Liz+Martinez.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Liz Martinez - Program Lead Certified sommelier Liz Martinez is a hospitality and wine professional with over two decades experience designing award winning wine lists, training staff, and managing service for some of America’s best restaurants. Liz has won awards for wine and service from every major national wine magazine and a range of local publications. In 2019, she was awarded Food & Wine magazine sommelier of the year. Her illustrious résumé includes positions at Carmine’s on Penn in her hometown of Denver, CO, Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco, Topolobampo and Purple Pig in Chicago. In 2017, Liz relocated to Detroit to serve as Wine Director at luxury steakhouse Prime+Proper and today she serves as Director of Beverage and Hospitality at Birmingham Michigan’s Madam restaurant, where her wine program was nominated as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. During her career, Liz has consistently elevated service and wine standards in a wide range of restaurants throughout the United States. Her commitment to thoughtful, humble, organized, polished, and anticipatory service continues to delight guests and draw widespread acclaim. Follow her on Instagram at @winenomadic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749829612595-0GGFDFVDQ9VHCTWXBN2R/IMG_3894.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Alexandra O'Gorman Alexandra O'Gorman is the Vice President of Community Relations at Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS), overseeing community engagement across nine regions, including Sonoma County, Napa Valley, and California’s Central Coast. She leads FFWS’s social impact and sustainability efforts, fostering meaningful local and industry partnerships. With over 20 years of experience, Alexandra has held leadership roles at renowned wineries like Ramey Wine Cellars, Hanna Winery, and Francis Ford Coppola Winery. She holds a BA and MBA from Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute and is a Certified Sommelier. A California native, Alexandra grew up in Carmel and has lived in Sonoma County since 2002 with her husband and two children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706716494545-LT4IOUYHYA1USHS4AVG0/Caleb+Taft+-+Caleb+Taft.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Caleb Taft Born overseas, Caleb Taft spent his formative years in San Diego. Dinners with the family taught him the value of food, the meaning of community and the power of cooking. After college, he began cooking professionally, but a move to San Francisco brought him into the world of wine. He worked as a retail wine buyer for a few years, before becoming the National Sales Manager for Vinum Cellars, where he sold wine in 30 states as well as a few international markets. After Vinum Cellars, Caleb joined Nopa restaurant as a manager in their first year of operations. It was a masterclass in service, food and wine, and the restaurant would anchor and eventually help revitalize the neighborhood. He left to become the Wine Director and manager of Camino, in Oakland. Led by Chez Panisse alum Russell Moore, Camino specialized in hearth-cooked foods, with a concise, all-organic wine list. Caleb then returned to retail at Arlequin Wine Merchants in SF, which has a legendary cellar stocked with deep verticals of the best producers from Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley and California. He later joined Nari Restaurant in San Francisco as the opening general manager. Owned by chef Pim Techamuanvivit, Caleb built a diverse team focused on service, crafting experiences at a very personal restaurant that challenged guest palates and fine dining conventions, which earned a Michelin star. He currently works as a freelance writer while he starts a winery in his new, adopted home in Washington State. You can follow his wine adventures on Instagram @organolepticon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749829687897-8R9PE1VEVRDL1B1BHV3Q/kelsie-headshot-pop.png Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Kelsie Earnest Kelsie Earnest is a respected hospitality leader in Napa Valley with more than 15 years of experience in service-driven industries. She began her career with Starbucks, where she quickly rose through the ranks to manage high-volume locations, refining her approach to team leadership, customer service, and operational excellence. After relocating to Wine Country, Kelsie brought that same focus on people and performance to the luxury wine industry. She has held key leadership roles at celebrated properties such as Chimney Rock and Domaine Carneros, where she oversees the visitor center hospitality team. Known for her thoughtful and calm leadership style, Kelsie is passionate about building inclusive, high-functioning teams and creating career pathways for women in wine. Her deep operational knowledge, and people-first mindset, continues to shape the guest experience and workplace culture at every level. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749829524361-LZHN8WR62B5WVOEBFA83/IMG_8553.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Melanie Eitel Melanie Eitel is a Wine Educator and Sommelier working in the wine industry in an up and coming part of New Hampshire called Appolo Vineyards. Melanie is passionate about creating an environment of learning about wine so that everyone can feel comfortable about asking questions at a wine tasting. Through a fun and hospitality focused winery, Melanie and the team at Appolo Vineyards have created a place for all to gather, grow and be themselves in an industry that has been known for being closed off and elitist. Melanie truly believes that if you open a bottle of wine at a table full of strangers, when the bottle is empty the table is full of friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749829914602-X4R1UANVDT0UCKY6QQ6C/DSC_0054.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Patrick Miner Patrick Miner has spet the better part of the last three decades in hospitality. His journey has taken him from barista to busboy and all the way to Wine Director. He has worked in restaurants encompassing concepts as diverse as chain family restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, fast-casual, and Michelin starred outlets. He has loved every minute of it! Patrick has achieved the Advanced certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and he is pursuing the MS title. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696262908-MD163D08DK36QHB6BPXT/b646d744-5d48-4db9-95f5-1290f39a2581.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Tiffany Tobey Tiffany Tobey graduated from Texas Tech University with dual Bachelor's degrees from Texas Tech University in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHIM) and English. After spending a semester studying Wine Tourism in Italy abroad, Tiffany discovered her love of wine. This discovery spurred her to return home and earn her place with The Court of Master Sommeliers. She comes to the club after working as the wine director at SER Steak + Spirits at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX. At SER, Tiffany built an award-winning wine program and collection. She has previously focused on education, tastings, and world-class pairing dinners. Most recently Tiffany was part of Major Food Group and opened the New York Michelin Star restaurant concept, Carbone here in the Dallas Design district. While her experiences there were something she will carry with her forever she is very excited to get back to running her own wine program and bringing the flair of Michelin level hospitality to a more intimate setting. Previously Tiffany has judged multiple years at the Sommeliers Choice Awards in San Francisco, the Seattle Wine and Spirits Awards in Washington, the Houston Rodeo Wine Competition, the Texas Master Classic Wine Competition, the Somm Journal Wine Competition in Las Vegas, and most recently the Texas International Wine Competition (TWGGA) in Grapevine, Texas. She has consulted for multiple publications such as Forbes, Tasting Panel Magazine, VinePair, Southern Beverage Journal, Wine Enthusiast, Business Insider, Food & Wine Magazine, and The SommJournal Magazine. She is currently continuing her education through Texas Tech University, where she is pursuing her Graduate Degree in Viticulture. The wine connoisseur dreams of starting a vineyard and making her own wine someday! In just the past few years Tiffany has been fortunate to study in some of the World’s most interesting wine regions including Israel, Uruguay, and Italy. Recently, Tiffany was tapped by the 2012 Netflix Documentary: ‘SOMM’ creators (Jason Wise, Christina Wise, Jackson Myers, Diane Carpenter, and Brian Reshefsky) as a contributor to their latest project -- SOMM TV, a food and wine streaming network. She will serve as the Texas Representative on an upcoming series titled “SommTV - The History of Wine”. Ms. Tobey is also a proud member of the Dallas Chapter of the Les Dame d’Escoffier International, a philanthropic organization of Women leaders in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. @tiffanytobey @tiffanystoast https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749829799013-6NDO5WDR2LD8R603S6J7/shari+head+shot.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Shari Richter Shari’s responsibilities included overseeing daily operations at tasting rooms, providing comprehensive training for staff and volunteers. She demonstrated exceptional time management skills, offering educational resources to staff, maintained strong guest relationships, organized and executed events both on and off-site. While managing wine club services efficiently, Shari monitored member accounts and databases, nurtured relationships with wholesale accounts, handled retail product purchasing and inventory management. In the winery, she assisted in bottle inventory management, collaborated with the wine maker on tasting profiles and pricing strategies for wine varietals. Shari actively participating in various winery functions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696242053-LAV4Q5G5FM1JHAXJ3E6Y/IMG_4158.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Jill Davis Jill Davis is the Brand Ambassador for DuMOL Winery where she brings the DuMOL story to life for guests at the winery and on the road. Jill’s unmatched enthusiasm for and knowledge of wine allow her to engage with novices and experts alike. Prior to joining DuMOL, Jill spent several years leading beverage programs for restaurants and hotels, predominantly with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, as well as several harvests working in the cellar at Failla Wines. As a lifelong learner, she continues to deepen her understanding of the winemaking process. When she isn’t at the winery or on the road for events, you can find her mountain biking and rock climbing with her dog Paddy in the hills of Sonoma County. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670728548753-GM0XVU77984WLQU5WO0W/Cristina+Mascanzoni+Kaiser+Wine.JPG Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Cristina Mascanzoni Kaiser Educated at Cornell University in Marketing, Cristina has always worked in the world of hospitality. Daughter of hoteliers on Lake Garda, she worked at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, the Grand Hotel in Rimini and numerous other European luxury hotels. 5 years ago she created Club Appeal, a consulting company specializing in luxury hospitality with a focus on the world of golf and wine, which she promoted with her own exclusive brand WineHO. Sommellier, WSET certified, Cristina is a professor and lecturer at CUOA Business School in the Master of Wine Business and speaker at numerous international conferences (e.g. IWINETC, Tebec, Atlas) related to the world of wine tourism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696247625-YQNBZELM9KTABQZFKQN5/ENOTRIAS-29.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Melissa L. Smith FORBES and Robb Report recognized Wine Appraiser, Expert Witness, Certified Sommelier, Founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services, and the creator of the Wine Collecting Master Class. Melissa L. Smith, CS serves as a writer, speaker, and educator specializing in wine, wine collecting, and wine travel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696253420-9M9D43AMENEA71E55T15/Screenshot_20240110_134102_Drive+%281%29.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Maia Parish Maia Parish is Denver - a based sommelier, wine writer, wine educator, wine judge, award-winning events producer, consultant, and momtrepreneur. She owns and operates The Wine Suite LLC and Parish Mobile Notary Now. Ms. Parish produces luxury wine-educated inspired experiences. She utilizes music, fashion, art, and culture to create environments perfect for learning about wine and spirits. Maia is a journalist for local and national publications. Her writing includes stories about wine/food pairings, luxury travel destinations, and winemakers, emphasizing diversity and inclusion within BIPOC/LGBTQAI+ cultures. Maia is the Founder of The Wine Suite LLC, a wine education concierge service and events-producing company in Denver, Colorado. She was nominated for Sommelier of the Year ( 2023 ) and is a guest Sommelier at a Michelin Star restaurant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696274858-2O01QOMPCXANTASWHP32/barbara.fitzgerald-headshot-office.jpg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Barbara Fitzgerald With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador and entrepreneur, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1642020434336-KIBU4525PHGT0M7UEBIX/kathleen+thomas.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Kathleen Thomas In response to the changing world around her Kat created CORE Body | Mind, LLC, a consulting platform and support network that guides through physical and motivational trainings. It is her way to give back to the hospitality industry with health in motion and with a curated plan for you and your team. As a certified personal trainer, yoga guide, and cancer exercise specialist, Kat is making the effort to find, and share, the balance of hospitality and life with her peers and community while she experiences all the challenges and inspirations along the way. She is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently preparing for the CMS Master Sommelier Exam in 2021. She is the Wine Scholar Guild’s Spanish Wine instructor for the Las Vegas Wine Academy, has passed her WSET Level 2 in Wine & Spirits, is a Sake Certified Specialist and a Sherry Certified Specialist. You can follow her on Instagram at @winegoddesslv. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670729628177-6T6CL10EEEJVOUTZHMBQ/Haley+Moore.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Haley Moore Haley Moore is the Founder of Acquire: a hospitality company in San Francisco CA, that is centered around bringing people together over food and wine. Acquire curates in person and virtual wine experiences, manages cellars for private clients and consults on beverage programs for restaurants across the country. Moore spent 15 years as a Sommelier and Wine Director in San Francisco, California. Her career galvanized in 2007, when she became the Wine Director at bacar at the age of 24. In 2009, she became the Lead Sommelier at Spruce, a one Michelin starred restaurant with a Grand Award-Winning wine list from the Wine Spectator. In 2012, she joined Stock & Bones as their Wine and Spirits Director overseeing four restaurants: Town Hall, Salt House, Anchor & Hope and Jersey in San Francisco. Today, she consults as Wine Director for Empress by Boon in San Francisco's Chinatown. She passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Exam in 2006 and is currently wrapping up the WSET Diploma Program. Next, she plans to pursue the Master of Wine Diploma, which is one of the highest achievements in the world of wine. Haley has been featured in articles both locally and nationally including: Forbes, Food & Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, The San Francisco Chronicle, MORE Magazine, The Sommelier Journal, and was named one of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s ‘Top 30 under 30’ Hospitality Professionals of America in 2008. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705863628684-NM92GG6WQBWU5N1ZKVZF/Lucy+Beaugard-22.jpeg Hospitality 2025 - Level 2 Mentors - Clara Klein Clara Klein may have been on a full ride scholarship to Columbia University for civil engineering, but she couldn’t for the life of her find a summer job. Back home in Denver, her mother noticed that The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado was hiring cooks. Klein sent them a “three-page manifesto” asking for a job, and they replied, saying she’d be a better fit for front of house. She served at Element 47 every summer break, and when Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy suggested she pursue a career in wine, Klein dropped out of school and came on full time. After five years spent working her way up to cellar sommelier, Klein moved to San Francisco, where she became a sommelier at Mourad. After two years, she returned to Colorado and landed at Frasca Food and Wine—she, like every other front of house staff who works at Frasca, started by polishing glasses for six months. With the support of her mentor, Rising Stars alum Carlin Karr, Klein was promoted to sommelier at their sister restaurant, Tavernetta. When the more funky Sunday Vinyl (Frasca Hospitality Group’s only non-Italian wine-focused concept) opened their doors, Stuckey tapped Klein to open as the lead sommelier. Klein uses relatable, unpretentious language to lower the barrier of entry for enjoying great wine, teaching a monthly wine class for FHG staff and helping guests find the perfect bottle from Sunday Vinyl’s 28-page wine list. https://www.batonnageforum.com/marketing-communications-mentors-2025 daily 0.75 2025-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her final year at university, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, where her career in the wine industry began. In 2009, Katie moved to Logroño, Spain and then Dijon, France, where she earned her M.Sc. degree in Wine Business. Following her studies, she moved to the UK to join Manchester-based wine retailer Hangingditch Wine Merchants, also contributing articles regularly to leading trade publication Harpers Wine and Spirit. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has worked in marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now O’Donnell Lane LLC, where she drives communications and strategic planning. Katie has worked three grape harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley, and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670731080192-Z5HNIMXK76XOJ3NBSNHF/katie+digital.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Katie Canfield - Program Lead Born and raised in California, Katie Canfield earned her B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her career in the wine industry began during her last year at university while studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. Since then, Katie has lived in Rioja (Logroño), Burgundy (Dijon), and the UK (Manchester), studying and working in various sectors of the wine industry: production (including harvests in Chile, France, and Napa Valley), wine writing, retail, hospitality, and distribution. Since her move back to California in 2014, Katie has led marketing and communications for the international portfolios of Wilson Daniels, Paul Hobbs Wines, and now co-owns PR, marketing, and event agency O’Donnell Lane. Katie holds a M.Sc. degree in Wine Business and WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits. She serves on the board of Bâtonnage Forum—a nonprofit organization focused on supporting women in wine—and has served as Marketing & Communications Program Lead for the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022. Follow her on Instagram @kt_canfield and @odl_sips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749592250592-SA5QG3WSWC1ZVA7NONNB/IMG_0139.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Hayley Yerkes Hayley Yerkes is a seasoned brand marketing professional with a decade of experience, currently serving as the Senior Brand Manager for Decoy at The Duckhorn Portfolio. Her career began in advertising, where she spent over eight years honing her skills in strategy and cultural trend analysis at advertising agencies in San Francisco and New York on fashion and technology brands. Driven by a personal passion for wine, she made a significant career shift by undertaking a cellar production harvest internship at Ashes & Diamonds, immersing herself in the winemaking process. At The Duckhorn Portfolio, Hayley has led innovation and brand building initiatives, from the launch of Decoy Featherweight to partnerships with influencers, Reese’s Book Club, and more. Hayley holds the WSET III Award with Distinction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749592267231-Q4J0Y52BEZPGKZ5X6KKL/Felicity+Carter+headshot.jpeg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Felicity Carter Based in Europe, Felicity Carter is the founder of the Drinks Insider podcast, research and content consultancy, as well as Editorial Director of Areni Global, the fine wine think tank headquartered in London. Previously, she was founding Executive Editor of The Drop at Pix, editorial consultant for Liv-ex, and Editor in Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, which she built into the world’s premier business publication, with subscribers in 38 countries. Her work has appeared in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers in Australia, and in The Guardian US, among many others. She has given keynotes on global trends, wine tourism and storytelling, in New York, Verona, London, Hong Kong and at many other conferences. Felicity has judged wine competitions in Germany, Georgia, Portugal, France and Luxembourg. She was named a 2024 Industry Leader by Wine Business Monthly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749592563423-L316TBL6EMR8ID331I1A/Image+%2837%29.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Franny Merkley As a Napa local, it was almost destined that Franny Merkley would find her calling in the food and wine industry. Her journey began by "volunteering" at her parents' fundraisers at a local elementary school, and her first official job was as a wedding planner at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. These early experiences taught her the essence of hospitality, the necessity of adaptability, and the importance of meticulous attention to detail. These invaluable skills have been the cornerstone of her diverse career, spanning restaurants, cosmetics, and food production. Most recently, they led her back to Opus One Winery in 2022. Franny’s initial foray into the wine industry started in 2012 as a Guest Relations employee in the tasting room at Opus One. She spent a few months buffing glasses and pouring wine before being promoted to Guest Relations Ambassador. She excelled in this role for several years before moving on in 2015 to become the Senior Operations Manager at Belcampo Meat Company in East Bay. Despite her departure, Franny always kept a strong connection with Opus One, hoping to return someday. In June 2022, her wish came true as she rejoined Opus One as the Marketing Supervisor. In this role, she collaborates with a small, cross-functional team to develop and uphold the marketing efforts and brand standards of this iconic Napa Valley winery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749762255188-ZJY5NCJUPLB9U5IIBH88/MG+Profile.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Mitalee Gupte Mitalee brings over 17 years of global experience leading prestigious luxury wine and spirits brands at LVMH across several countries in Asia and in the U.S. Her core expertise spans luxury marketing, brand and consumer strategy, and business development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Media with a focus on Advertising & Communications from St. Xavier’s College, University of Mumbai. Now based in Napa, she leads DTC Marketing at Chandon California. A mother of twin 5-year-old boys, Mitalee is a committed advocate for working mothers, greater diversity in the wine industry, and sustainable marketing practices. She is fluent in English, French, and four Indian regional languages, and holds a WSET Level 2 certification. Mitalee also serves on the board of trustees at Blue Oak School and on the board of directors for Napa Moms, a local non-profit supporting a community of mothers and children in the Napa valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749761999758-KZS08IUFUPIQJVHHX3JR/MBV+photo+2.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Monika Bielka-Vescovi Monika is an international wine educator, judge, journalist and university lecturer currently holding the WSET Diploma. Monika has mentored WSET students, taught accredited courses up to the WSET Diploma level and lectured for over 10 years in the USA, UK, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary. She is the founder and honorary President of the Polish Women and Wine Association, and Ambassador of the European Association of Sommeliers. In 2017, Monika was awarded the best female entrepreneur award by the Law Business Quality Magazine, and in 2019 she received the Polish Women of Wine Award. Her hospitality experience as beverage director and wine trainer at the five star Six Senses Resorts and Spas in Asia, and fine dining management in Memphis TN, Broomfield & Boulder CO brings a wealth of practical experience to her classroom. Monika has many years of wine buying experience and has created several award winning wine lists for her clients. At present she fulfills a role of Director at NVWA Education Center. Monika loves to study and continues her wine journey as a student of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Stage 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749762176213-XHFUH4ZMNF2U6C8HHT1L/2024_Rebecca+Hopkins+portrait.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Rebecca Hopkins Rebecca Hopkins is one of the wine industry’s best-known communications strategists, who has worked with some of the world’s most notable wine brands. Australian by birth (and temperament), she arrived in the U.S. in 2007, to take the role of Vice President of Public Relations and National Events for Constellation Brands before joining national fine wine importer, Folio Fine Wine Partners in 2012, then forming her own communications agency in 2022. In 2018, Rebecca founded A Balanced Glass, a community and website that focuses on staying safe and well when working with alcohol. Her work has been recognized by SevenFifty Daily, Food & Wine and Wine Enthusiast, and she also writes on the subject of the low and no alcohol category for Wine Business Monthly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749592431530-L4JDWG34JRJTG57F79H2/briscoe_headshot.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Stacy Briscoe Stacy Briscoe is an award-winning journalist with 10 years’ experience writing for and about the wine industry. She’s held multiple roles throughout her career, including managing editor of Wine Enthusiast magazine, managing editor for Wine Industry Network, assistant editor of Wine Business Monthly, and staff writer for Wines & Vines magazine. Flying her freelance flag, she has bylines in several notable drink-centric publications such as Somm Journal, SevenFifty Daily, Sonoma Magazine, Full Pour, and GuildSomm, among many others. Briscoe regularly speaks at wine industry events, has completed her WSET Diploma, teaches WSET courses at the Napa Valley Wine Academy, and, most recently, has been accepted as a Master of Wine Stage 2 student, having completed Stage 1 in 2024. Follow Briscoe on Instagram @stacyloubriscoe and at her website BriscoeBites.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749749305345-03BYCH3IIY0PJKUIRZJ9/MGC_1752%282%29.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Suzanna Mannion Accomplished marketing and creative leader with over a decade of hands-on experience in the international wine industry, Suzanna Mannion is renowned for elevating brand identities and achieving remarkable boosts in both brand recognition and sales figures. She brings together a strategic mindset and a flair for creative design to orchestrate impactful digital campaigns and craft compelling content. Her forte lies in fostering collaboration across diverse teams and leveraging data-driven insights to refine brand messaging, fuel revenue growth, and streamline project management processes. She has a track record of forging fruitful global partnerships and expanding digital footprints. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696853505-NHPS7U67M0DUSEZ9DCA6/2023.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Florencia Gomez Florencia is an established wine professional from Argentina, with an expansive career spanning over 15 years in the industry, working in wineries from Napa to Burgundy to Croatia. Now operating from London, her exposure to diverse cultures and winemaking practices ensures a well-rounded approach to industry challenges. Her early hands-on experience and role as Europe's Export Manager equipped her with deep knowledge and strategic acumen - skills she seamlessly applies to mentorship. As the founder of Grand Crew, her marketing agency, she proficiently bridges the gap between traditional wine brands and modern market trends, functioning as a brand ambassador, content creator, and marketing strategist. Alongside her role as a business strategist, Florencia is committed to raising diverse voices within the wine industry. Her strong communicationand leadership skills complement her passion to actas a guide and ally. Florencia's enthusiasm and profound commitment make her a catalyst for positive transformation and an asset for potential mentees seeking to grow, innovate, and make an impact in the world of wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783471419-OK6P1ZUQP59JL062PS4L/20170921_Danna80573.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Danna Shapiro Danna Shapiro is a NYC-based consultant, providing strategic marketing communication services with a focus on luxury brands. Her experience encompasses nearly decade with Kobrand Wines & Spirits, a luxury importer, marketer and distributor working on key brands such as Maison Louis Jadot, Champagne Taittinger and Sassicaia. At Kobrand she held multiple positions in the public relations and brand management teams, before heading up the company-wide special events program. After starting her own consultancy, her expertise led to work with a wide range of clients, including publishers and associations helping them build and grow signature events. An expert in audience development, driving curated attendees for a wide range of special events. A dual passion for wine and sustainability is a driving force. Extensive study of the world of wine has led to credentials from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust - DipWSET and a partial pass in the Masters of Wine program. Launched in 2022, The Full S.I.P. (Sustainable Industry Practices) is a weekly newsletter round-up of key headlines in the wine and spirits sustainability world. The newsletter is part passion project, part self-education of how the alcohol beverage business can be a best-in-class sustainable industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705970245410-ZSW0AW5UCECJM6T0JGOU/batonnage+logo.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Michelle Egan Michelle learned the wine business from the ground up, starting her with her first job after graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. Raised in the restaurant industry in Santa Barbara, hospitality has always been an integral part of Michelle’s DNA. She joined E&J Gallo Winery as a sales representative, and over the next seven years gained an invaluable foundation in virtually every aspect of the wine industry, including marketing, brand management, and sales strategy. In 2007, Michelle joined Constellation Brands’. Throughout her 11-year tenure she held a series of increasing responsibilities and ultimately grew to Vice President, Fine Wine Marketing and Direct-to-Consumer. Michelle then transitioned to Realm Cellars as Vice President, Sales & Marketing, where she refined and applied her skills in catering to the luxury consumer market. Most recently, Michelle was Vice President, Marketing & Direct-to-Consumer for Terlato Wine Group’s Family Estate brands including Chimney Rock, Sanford, Rutherford Hill, and Klipsun. In 2023, Michelle took the leap from full-time corporate roles to establish her own consulting business, Egan Wine Co. She now concentrates her expertise on Marketing and DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) strategy, specializing in collaborations with family-owned and operated wineries that share her values and aspire to achieve sustainable business growth. Michelle has a tremendous track record as a strong leader with a wealth of knowledge across sales, marketing, and DTC. She is a passionate thought leader who values diversity and giving back to the community. She is currently a Level 1 & 2 mentor with the Bâtonnage Forum where she embraces the opportunity to have meaningful conversations about turning equality into actions that create equity in the wine industry. Michelle has made her home in the beautiful Napa Valley where you can often find her outdoors or wine tasting with her husband, son, and Chocolate Labrador. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783075873-E4G425FRDYN706DGUMDV/IMG_0590.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Andrea Smalling Andrea has held marketing and strategic leadership positions for several of North America’s leading wineries over the past 30 years. After beginning her career in Toronto with Procter & Gamble, Andrea moved to California to join Gallo Winery, where over 10 years, she held a number of marketing leadership positions, focusing on a variety of areas including new product development, on-premise marketing and international business development and marketing. Her career progressed to include roles including Vice President of Marketing with Constellation, Global Marketing at Treasury Wine Estates, and 7 years as CMO with Foley Family Wines where she launched the disruptive Foley Food and Wine Society loyalty program. She then headed to the Okanagan Valley in Canada where she headed up Marketing and Direct to Consumer for Mark Anthony Group and led significant growth across Canada’s most prominent luxury wineries. After that, Andrea gained start up experience leading marketing for the fast-growing McBride Sisters Collections. Andrea has been a strong mentor for women and minorities in the wine industry since the beginning of her career, believing strongly that the key to wineries’ ability to authentically engage an increasingly diverse population lies in the inclusion of diverse people and ideas behind-the-scenes. She recently joined the Board of the Glancy Wine Education Foundation, whose mission is to drive diversity in the industry by funding wine education for underserved communities. Andrea is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for WineDirect, where she enjoys using her experience to help their over 2000 winery clients develop and successfully run their direct-to-consumer sales operations. Andrea and her husband live in Livermore, California with their dog Layla, while their 2 ‘kids’ who are 22 and 24 are currently going to school and working in New York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696873492-0ZZB4HD4CNP3RIY7LMQI/9ob4E-jU.jpeg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Tara Herrick Tara Herrick is a seasoned marketing professional and wine enthusiast with a passion for helping brands find their voice and connect with their audience. Her journey began when she fell in love with wine during her year-long stay in France. After returning, she completed her studies in Anthropology at SF State in San Francisco. Throughout her career, Tara's love for wine remained a constant, and she frequently found herself drawn to wine-related projects. In 2018, she seized the opportunity to join a boutique wine marketing agency as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Tara works with wineries and wine-related brands to develop marketing strategies that resonate with their target audiences and drive business growth. Tara's unique background, combined with her deep expertise in marketing and her love for wine, make her a valuable asset to any brand looking to connect with its audience and grow its business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696927308-EJB4KO1HE8IW6DJ1DV1R/Heather+Bradshaw.jpeg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Heather Bradshaw Heather is the Communications Director at the Washington State Wine Commission, where she manages strategic communications, industry outreach and media relations. Heather has been in the wine industry for 10 years, with previous experience at the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance and Jackson Family Wines. She began her career as a journalist, working at TV stations in Yakima and Seattle. A UW grad and native of Vancouver, Washington, Heather now lives in Snohomish, WA with her family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670478571659-J37R5Q7K1GST8TGDVV92/Marlena+Glenn2.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Marlena Glenn Blitz Currently, Marlena is the Director of Partnerships at Provi coupling her client relationship, strategic planning and project management skills. Previous to her role at Provi, Marlena had over seven years of experience at Beverage Media (including two years at SevenFifty) where she combined her love of people and problem solving to wear many hats as “Marketing and Communications Manager.” A true utility player, Marlena has worked concurrently on business and strategy while managing marketing and communications, contributing to editorial, and flexing her commercial savvy. With a passion and degree in theater arts and psychology from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Marlena brings her insatiable intellectual curiosity to every element of the beverage alcohol industry and loves to connect with all three tiers of the trade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705696961056-DAI53T3YO33UNCZ04GE8/Marilyn+Krieger+Headshot.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Marilyn Krieger Marilyn Krieger, based in New York City, is an accomplished PR and communications professional with a specialization in wine. A Fulbright scholar, she developed a passion for wine during research in Italy. After earning her Ph.D. from Columbia University with a dissertation on Italian film, she decided to venture beyond academia as a communications consultant. From 2006 to 2021, she led PR and communications at Winebow, working with wines and spirits from around the world. As part of her mission to foster a more inclusive, diverse, and successful industry for everyone, in 2012 she spearheaded the company’s annual Women in Wine Leadership Symposium. From 2019 to 2022, she served as a dissertation advisor at The University of the Arts for an interdisciplinary project on Prosecco DOCG. Most recently, she oversaw trade media and events at E. & J. Gallo. Marilyn is a long-standing member of the Public Relations Society of America and the New York chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. She is also a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators. Follow her on Instagram @mfkrieger https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705697150555-F952AL4LUPX514SLAH90/VirginieBoone-8289.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Virginie Boone Virginie Boone is a Contributing Senior Editor for The New Wine Review, a new digital media company for wine and whisky fans. A resident of Sonoma County, she was previously the Napa and Sonoma wine critic for Wine Enthusiast Media. She began her career with Lonely Planet travel guides and has written about wine, food and travel for Food & Wine, GuildSomm, Somm Journal, Tasting Panel and others. She is the author of a weekly column for the Sonoma County Winegrowers called “The Good Stuff,” which explores timely local topics in the worlds of agriculture and wine. She is a frequent speaker on California wine, a founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma County, Batonnage Mentorship Program mentor and an author for the Capstone California Education Panel. Boone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s in Journalism from Stanford University. Follow her Instagram @virginieboone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706278638798-LHO55JK4Y8NS9Z11DOH6/Jee+Wong.png Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Jee Park Jee Park is an Executive Vice President at Magrino. Magrino is a leading luxury communications agency. She oversees the wine, consumer, and food divisions at the agency. Jee Park brings nearly twenty years of media and communications experience to Magrino. Her career started in television. She spent nearly 12 years at CBS News as a producer for the network’s morning show where she covered breaking news events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. She also created franchise segments for the network including Williams-Sonoma’s Five-Minute Cooking School, Bobby Flay’s “Boy Meets Grill and the James Beard award winner for Best National or Local Television Food Segment “Chef On A Shoestring”. Prior to joining CBS News, she worked for MTV’s popular reality series, The Real World. Since leaving television, she has taken her producer skills and applied them to marketing, PR, corporate communications, and culinary event production. She has worked on several national epicurean events including the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, and Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. In 2010, she joined Karlitz & Company as Director of Culinary Marketing, where she led the development and production of luxury events for clients such as American Express and JP Morgan Chase. From 2011 to 2014, she oversaw Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group's PR and Marketing department as Director of Communications. She was responsible for all external and internal communications for the award-winning restaurant group as well as managing Danny Meyer’s personal media strategy. During her tenure, she oversaw the integration of the digital marketing efforts with traditional media relations to create a holistic communications strategy. She lives in New York City with her family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641797405609-9B2VOAFLYRJOAF4V2N13/Erica1018+-+Erica+Duecy.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Erica Duecy Erica Duecy is one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. She is co-founder of Business of Drinks, a podcast and content consultancy, and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other LinkedInhospitality and drinks tech companies. She also has led digital editorial teams at Architectural Digest and Saveur magazines, among others. Her content, podcast, and video programs have won more than 40 digital and editorial awards. She is a WSET Advanced-certified wine and spirits communicator, wine judge, and author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House), about the real-life stories behind the world’s most famous cocktails. Follow her on LinkedIn or Instagram. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1685502069582-CXQOQXBGB1CZO26QIIL0/IMG_4302.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Katie Dailey Katie Dailey is a Certified Sommelier, bubbly lover, and mom. After earning her degree in Economics at the University of California at Davis, where she also worked internships at small wineries in both winemaking and finance, Katie began her formal wine career with a role in retail sales for Gallo Sales Company. Katie excelled within Gallo, gaining experience over the last decade in Event Marketing, Hospitality and, most recently, as Associate Public Relations Manager. In one of her proudest career achievements, in 2022, Katie helped launch J Vineyards & Winery’s innovative Shifting the Lens culinary program, which supports inclusivity by showcasing diverse cuisines and unique, personal perspectives from guest chefs in the winery's culinary tasting space, The Bubble Room. Shifting the Lens returned in spring 2023 with a residency from Chef Tu David Phu and will continue in September with Chef Ana Castro’s traditional Mexican cuisine. Throughout her career, Katie has devoted time to continuing her wine and spirits education, earning her Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits and Certified Sommelier certificates. Katie currently lives in San Francisco with her husband, Michael. Together, they welcomed their son Hudson in March. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783578633-9G744CGM2HS6FZWOX282/IMG_0211.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Rachel DiMattia Hadder Rachel DiMattia Hadder is an experienced marketing and events professional, currently serving as the Senior Marketing Manager & Portfolio Manager at Regal Wine Imports. With over 8 years of experience spanning distributors, wineries, and trade organizations, she has a robust background orchestrating trade and consumer events, managing social media and supplier relationships, and supporting sales teams through strategic marketing initiatives. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Susquehanna University and has achieved several wine certifications, including WSET Level 3 and Italian Wine Scholar. Rachel is an avid traveler, having visited over 20 countries including stints living abroad in Australia, Sicily, and England. Currently based in Philadelphia, she blends her work with a global perspective and a passion for wine. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783007641-DZJMA6HV72SAPEQKOEEI/RACH-5497.jpeg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Rachel Keigley Since moving to the Bay Area in 2011, Rachel began her career in the wine industry specializing in hospitality management and social media. She brings a multifaceted background managing events, culinary departments, hospitality teams, making wine throughout different parts of the world, public relations, photography and digital media. Her passion for all things food and beverage related, and the essence behind each business, is what drives her creativity and devotion toward client success. Prior to joining af&co., where she is currently a Senior Director of PR & Marketing, Rachel has worked for multiple agencies leading digital/social campaigns, influencer strategies and public relations for hotels, restaurants and wineries nationwide. Rachel holds a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies and her WSET Level Two. She is currently studying for her Level Three exam. Rachel finds joy in supporting local businesses and building lasting personal connections. She thrives on capturing a companies’ story digitally and sharing it with the social community. When she isn’t discovering a new restaurant or tasting wine, you’ll find Rachel gardening, leading her book club, or hitting up a hot Pilates class. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705697073845-UYE1ITPSONOFF7EEWXBD/sarahhoffman_cofoundermaker.jpg Marketing & Communications Mentors 2025 - Sarah Hoffman Sarah is co-founder and CEO of Maker Wine, a premium canned wine company on a mission to make fine wine more approachable. Sarah’s passionate about supporting diversity in wine, and her company Maker partners with female and minority-led wineries to can their wines and share their stories. Before Maker, Sarah’s expertise was in scaling high growth start-ups. At her day job she managed user acquisition and multi-million dollar marketing budgets at companies from inception through IPO, most recently in-house at Eventbrite and on the agency side at Right Side Up, a growth marketing consultancy. In her personal life, Sarah’s passionate about creating connection through food and beverage. As an avid homebrewer she started a beer pairing supperclub business, and spent a year traveling the world as a craft beverage writer. These experiences inspired her to want to create a business that celebrates independent wineries. https://www.batonnageforum.com/retail-mentors-2025 daily 0.75 2025-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead - Levels 1 & 2 Annette is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits Inc, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising for the wine and spirits industry. She previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale, including 25 years in the Beverage Alcohol department retiring in January 2020 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. Annette has extensive managerial and merchandising experience in the wine and spirits business. She led a team in the United States with a global sales volume of approximately $4.8 billion (2019). During her tenure, Annette led the development for the successful private label brand, Kirkland Signature for wine and spirit items. In May 2021, Annette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines. She is also on the advisory board and serves as a Mentor for Wine Unify, a non-profit organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry. You can follow her on Instagram at @annette.a.p. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641883594699-K21J017A6B3AL9NXRKQ0/M9_M7117+copy+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Annette Alvarez-Peters - Program Lead Annette Alvarez-Peters is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising strategies for the wine and spirits industry. Annette sits on the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines and MISA Imports, a global importer and distributor for wine and spirits. In addition, she is involved and serves as a Mentor with non-profit organization Wine Unify, an organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry and involved with the Batonnage Forum Mentorship program as the Head of Industry Area of Focus for Retail, an organization designed to stir up conversations about equality and forward progress for women in wine. Annette previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale - including 25 years in the beverage alcohol department, where she led the buying team for the USA. Annette retired in 2020 as Asst. Vice President / GMM. Alvarez-Peters was named as a top leader in the wine industry by M. Shanken Communications, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Decanter. She holds the Diploma certification from Wine & Spirit Education Trust, along with a Certified Wine Educator certificate from Society of Wine Educators. Annette has been inducted into the following associations: Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc; Champagne’s Ordre des Coteaux des Champagne and Chateauneuf du Pape Echansonnerie des Papes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650390540889-VFVZSKKEWA3GOKN4GBVG/Batonnage+Photo+-+Amy+Karasavas.JPG Retail Mentors 2025 - Amy Karasavas Amy Karasavas is the founder and sommelier of That Pour Woman located in Brooklyn, NY. Her company offers public and private wine tastings and classes. She is currently a WSET Level 4 Diploma candidate. In addition, she has received her sommelier certification with distinction from the Sommelier Society of America along with her WSET Level 3 certification with distinction. Amy worked at the neighborhood boutique shop Blanc et Rouge Wine & Spirits in Brooklyn, NY for two and a half years. Her experiences lie in wine education, blind tasting training, and the ins and outs of wine retail. Amy has traveled to some of the world’s famous wine regions to enhance her education like France, Portugal, Italy, Chile, Greece, and the USA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670739238755-RB1VT5UT8W8Z58167SYJ/CaraPatriciaDECANTsf.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Cara Patricia Cara is a wine professional who has worked at the highest tiers of hospitality and is known for her relaxed style of wine education under her motto "Drink for Yourself”--a reminder that regardless of the trends and fads of the beverage world, the most important thing is what makes YOU happy. Cara has a long history in service and leadership and is a regular panelist, moderator and contributor at wine publications and events, including Guest Sommelier roles at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, LA Food & Wine, La Paulée, La Tablée, and Meals on Wheels Gala. Cara also worked as a fine wine sales consultant in boutique wine retail and for many years as a luxury Champagne Specialist for Moët Hennessy. In San Francisco, she was Lead Sommelier at Hakkasan and won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2013, simultaneously overseeing the $3MM cellar of Bright Wine Fund & Michelin Three-Star restaurant Saison as Cellarmaster, which received the Wine Spectator Grand Award under her tenure. Cara dreamed of owning her own business from the early days of her career, and DECANTsf is the storied realization of her passion and experience. Follow Cara on Instagram @carapatriciaSF. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749765181173-VG20K5EDYBMNA20CO7OC/coburn_profile_image.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Erin Coburn Erin Coburn founded and co-owned minimo, a wine shop + wine bar in Oakland, California specializing in small-production natural wines. Open from 2015-2025, minimo served as a community gathering space centered around inclusivity and accessibility. Prior to opening minimo, Erin worked in museums for 20 years, holding executive level positions leading digital media and institutional digital strategy. Erin’s experience in wine retail ranges from starting your own business (including business systems and financial management) to wine buying, staffing and training, social media and marketing, and community building and engagement. Erin is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals traditionally underrepresented in the wine industry. She’s a proponent of natural wine; organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming practices; and obscure wine regions and lesser known grape varieties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749765438887-X2XNCUO6212DJME1VMXA/Sarah+Pierre+%231.jpeg Retail Mentors 2025 - Sarah Pierre Sarah Pierre is a dynamic entrepreneur, community leader, and mentor with a deep-rooted passion for wine, hospitality, travel, and advocacy. As the owner of the celebrated 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta, which she has successfully operated since 2013, Sarah has cultivated a loyal clientele by offering personalized wine selections and hosting curated events, from intimate tastings to large-scale corporate gatherings. Before launching her wine shop, Sarah honed her skills working and managing high-profile restaurants in Atlanta and New York City, combining her passion for food and wine with a deep commitment to exceptional customer service. Her hands-on experience in the hospitality industry has uniquely positioned her as a leading voice in the world of food and beverage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749765367480-E4K6NRK5GFZGQPXZE3VT/SM+headshot.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Sharon Mahoney As a graduate of WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits, a WSET Certified Educator, and Certified Sommelier, Sharon shares her passion for wine and education with her community in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a mentor to many students working toward various certifications, she hosts blind tastings, service practice, and a weekly theory review. She helps identify the opportunities to learn and grow, with confidence there is no ‘failing’. She hosts wine education classes and events for enthusiasts and students and is now opening a wine shop that offers more than just a location to purchase a glass or a bottle. Savoir on Central is an immersive wine experience where you can come for a glass and stay for a class. Every glass tells a story. What’s in your glass? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750189071624-5DSTJAC5ID346BFYXBL3/ownpic+%281%29.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Steffini Bethea Steffini Bethea is the proud owner of The Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room, the oldest Black-owned wine shop in metro Atlanta. For over 13 years, she has cultivated a welcoming space for wine lovers, thoughtfully curating an extensive and diverse collection that reflects her global wine travels and deep industry knowledge. A certified wine expert with numerous credentials, Steffini is a trusted figure in the wine community—celebrated not only for her palate but for her passion for educating others and making wine approachable. Her journey through vineyards across the world continues to inform and inspire the offerings at The Purple Corkscrew, where every bottle tells a story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749765430985-3Z43LQT0MA10BO4L5NOO/image.jpeg Retail Mentors 2025 - Stevie Stacionis Stevie Stacionis is a community, resiliency and brand galvanizer offering content, strategy, education and inspiration to wine and hospitality brands. She lives to stir the pot, inspire joy and cultivate community. Stevie and her husband own the Michelin-recommended MAMA Oakland restaurant, and they founded, operated and successfully sold two nationally acclaimed Bay Area wine shops and bars. Stevie also co-founded the non-profit Bâtonnage Forum for women in wine. Stevie writes the Resilient Wine Substack, advocating for a more inclusive, pragmatic and holistic course forward for the wine industry at large. She is also the author of a forthcoming memoir and manifesto about how drinking wine can save the world. Through her writing, speaking, events and education work, Stevie has gleaned a reputation for being one of the wine industry’s most progressive thought-leaders in the sustainability, regeneration and resiliency spaces. She has a particular knack for thoughtful debate, for a graceful consideration of both sides of an argument, and for putting forth her opinions with conviction, poise and humaneness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705708400064-75XUDTVU0209IWJ5B9O5/HouseofWine-32+-+small.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Kathryn “Kat” House McClaskey Kathryn “Kat” House McClaskey is the found of House of Wine, a wine shop and experience venue in Boise, Idaho. She holds a Master of Science degree in Horticulture from Washington State University with special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. Prior to moving to Boise in 2010, Kat worked throughout Washington State including time spent in Walla Walla, Washington with Seven Hills Vineyard and Pepper Bridge Winery and four years with Betz Family Winery in Woodinville, Washington, where she was the Assistant Winemaker from 2006 to 2010. During this time, Kat was also the instructor for the Viticulture and Wine Chemistry courses at the Northwest Wine Academy, where she furthered her love of adult education. In 2010, Kat left Washington to explore the Idaho wine and created House of Wine to fill demand for wine production consulting and producer and consumer wine education. Since 2010 she has worked alongside winemakers and groups teaching numerous seminars enabling growers and producers to increase grape and wine quality. A perpetual student, Kat continues her pursuit of learning and is a Stage 3 student in the one of the most prestigious and challenging wine education programs in the world: Master of Wine. She is a certified educator for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and has various other wine certifications. In addition, Kat is the Wine Columnist for the Idaho Press and Boise Weekly. As of 2023, House of Wine has expanded to a retail and wine experience venue in downtown Boise with the mission of empowering connection through exceptional wine experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706306104197-HGFOC379NKZNZJ1KNMY6/Amy+Chen.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Anny Chen Anny Chen has meticulously worked in the wonderful world of Fine Wine for 15 years. She is a Senior Fine Wine Consultant at Morrell & Company, assisting private clients source top wines for their cellars, focusing on blue chip producers and new cult wines that are the next big thing. Her focus is quite niche, hyperfocused on building one-on-one relationships with top collectors in the fine wine world. Anny started her career in wine in 2009 on the sales floor of Zachys Wine & Liquor and was quickly promoted throughout the years up to Vice President of Sales. She has a similar passion for travel and augments her wine education through trips to Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux, tasting with winemakers whenever possible. As of 2023, Anny launched her own luxury travel business, Jetset Oenophile, focusing on curating bespoke trips for wine lovers and discerning clients. Anny Chen holds a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential and the WSET Level 3 Advanced. She is a Founding Member of Societe des Ami du Champagne (SAC) in New York and a member of the Hue Society NYC Chapter. Anny graduated cum laude from New York University with a double major in International Relations and East Asian Studies, and holds a Master of Science in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Prior to her entry into the wine world, Anny worked in Sales and Trading at Bank of America. Follow Anny on Instagram at @jetset_oenophile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670898378421-667IFNURBL6U2IY4UXWT/Jenn+Profile+-+Jenn+Holterman.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Jenn Holterman Jenn Holterman is the Merchandise Director of Wine on the Adult Beverages team at Target. Jenn has been at Target for 13 years with the most recent 10 years on the Adult Beverage team and holds her WSET Level 2 Certification. She began her career in Space/Presentation followed by the Multicultural team supporting Beauty/Healthcare. When she started on the Adult Beverage team, she held several buying roles both regionally and nationally in Wine and Spirits prior to her current role. During her time on the Adult Beverage team, she more than doubled the business to over $1B today through elevated store experiences, new licenses and launching several successful national brands. In addition, she introduced the regional buying model for Target, launched Adult Bev Order Pick-up/Drive-up nationally in nearly 1,200 stores and developed and launched over 14 exclusively launched brands (including California Roots which is now a top wine brand at Target). Jenn has accomplished all this growth while maintaining her passion for driving diversity in the wine industry and delivering curated offerings that are authentic, trend-forward and innovative for the Target guest. She enjoys mentoring other women in the industry and sharing how to build relationships and how to work with large retailers. Jenn is married to her husband Andy and together they have two little boys - Nicholas and Bennett. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, biking and watching sports with her family. Follow Jenn on Instagram @jenneane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1710895090811-0X9SNJCI5H4RCQ9GINZ2/_DSC9118-Edit+-+Alexandria+Sarovich.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Alexandria Sarovich Own Rooted Hospitality provides consulting services using sustainable case by case solutions for Private Clients, Beverage Brands, Retailers and Restaurants. With over fifteen years of extensive experience in the restaurant and wine industry, Alex possesses a profound dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences, coupled with a strong focus on business success and ownership mentality. Her passion for her craft is evident, as she takes immense pride and joy in her work, eagerly sharing her wealth of knowledge and expertise with others. Holding the prestigious title of Advanced Sommelier through CMS, Alex is adept at assisting clients seeking wine services to enhance their business operations, offering invaluable insights with her expert-level proficiency. Alex embodies a holistic approach to hospitality, whether discussing a modest $10 bottle or a luxurious $2,000 vintage, always striving to ensure maximum enjoyment for her patrons. Beyond her professional endeavors, Alex finds solace in outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and biking, as well as indulging in the pleasures of a good novel. A devoted pet parent to her long-haired grey cat, Echezeaux, Alex also shares a passion for adventure and travel with her fiancée, Kate. In her previous role as the Executive Wine Director at Little Saint, Alex established an inclusive retail & multi-unit on premise wine program, fostering a welcoming environment that supported community engagement while amplifying underrepresented voices within the wine industry. Under her leadership, the wine program at Little Saint was built from the ground up and expanded to an impressive 1,000 selections over the 2+years on project, culminating in the prestigious Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence. Prior to her tenure at Little Saint, Alex honed her skills as a sommelier at renowned establishments such as the three-Michelin-starred SingleThread and the internationally acclaimed Attica in Melbourne, Australia. Outside of her professional duties, Alex remains committed to mentoring aspiring women in the wine industry through her involvement in the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022. Her outstanding contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her recognition as VinePair’s New Wave Sommelier of the Year in 2023. Alex's expertise has been featured in esteemed publications including Condé Nast Traveler, Sonoma Magazine, Wine Spectator, San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal, SevenFifty Daily, and SOMM TV. Photo Credit: Emma K Creative Follow Alex on Instagram @alexannsarovich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1674780135356-AE3KL94N1SYK8WOZUO2I/w%2B-%2Bsusan%2Bhayes.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Susan Hayes Susan Hayes is the Vice President of MO Cellar Selections, a wine broker with a portfolio specializing in premium and super premium wines and spirits www.kdchaney.com. She covers 6 West Coast states: WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, and AK. She recently started her own wine label Rain Shadows from the Rattlesnake Hills AVA in Washington State. Previously Susan held a 34 year career at Costco Wholesale, with 15 of those years as the Wine & Spirits Buyer. Her buying career expands decades and has allowed her to travel the world, meet notable industry personalities. Hayes holds a WSET Level 2 certificate. In addition, she was inducted into Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc. Susan’s industry experience is truly invaluable and can help mentees navigate through their own careers. Hayes has a passion for food and wine & spirits, travel and the arts. She started an original art business, which has now expanded to commission mixed media paintings sold all over the US and UK. Susan lives in Washington State. Follow Susan on Instagram @suehayes3442 and @susan_hayes_art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864834432-54H50FLBY2TEB4FICSJ9/Chicago+Andrea+Creative_1+-+Melissa+Zeman.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Melissa Zeman Melissa Zeman is the owner of BottlesUp!, a bottle shop and experience in Chicago. She graduated from Trinity University (San Antonio) in 2007 and in 2009 leapt into the wine industry, officially beginning her career with the full intent of opening her own shop (which ultimately took ten years). During that time Zeman received her WSET Level 2 and managed two different retail shops, specializing in event planning/execution and wine club management. She opened BottlesUp! in September 2019 and runs all aspects of the business. She focuses on being an active part of the community, growing the shop’s 400+ member wine club, and further developing the recurring BeyoU Ladies’ Nights. In her free time, you can find Zeman playing soccer and supporting fellow small businesses/industry comrades. Follow Melissa and the business at @bottles_up_chicago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670814014488-9JO0KYGIG1XSE2RAE54H/Chrissy+Headshot+Sept+20+-+Chrissy+Edrozo.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Chrissy Edrozo Chrissy Edrozo is a regional buyer in the Southwest division for Costco Wholesale. She is based in San Diego, CA and responsible for 47 locations in southern California (San Diego area), Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico and Colorado. Edrozo began her career at the membership warehouse club Costco in 2001 in the Membership department, moving on to various positions in Operations and then transferred to the buying division in 2007. She started with an entry level position purchasing toys, seasonal items, sporting goods and foods for the Mexico division. She was promoted to Wine Buyer in 2019, and has traveled to many different wine countries including California, Washington, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley and Burgundy to gain additional insight and knowledge of the regions. Along with her daily duties as a buyer, she also is a contributor for wine columns to the member monthly publication The Costco Connection. Edrozo holds WSET Advanced certification and is continuing her studies with the WSET Diploma program to further her knowledge, love, and passion for the wine industry. Follow Chrissy on Instagram @chrissyedrozo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705863764592-25NSIO7MKCUDVOLEAORU/Suzanne+D.B.-1.jpg Retail Mentors 2025 - Suzanne Denevan-Brown Suzanne Denevan-Brown is a seasoned industry leader with a proven track record of turning concepts into results. She has an MBA, WSET Level 3 certification and is a Certified Sommelier. Passionate about food and wine, Suzanne has extensive sales, Retail, and Brand Marketing experience. Currently a Senior Brand Manager at EJ Gallo, the largest US winery, Suzanne has a front row seat to the industry and a powerful voice for creating positive forward progress. You can follow her on Instagram at @sdenevan. https://www.batonnageforum.com/sales-distribution-2025-mentors daily 0.75 2025-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1709426348621-GRLU31E9PJ3O4FHDMFQI/IMG_0594.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Katixa Mercier - Program Lead Katixa Mercier started her career 18 years ago as a sommelier in fine dining; curating and managing award-winning programs in New Mexico. In 2010, Mercier started consulting for beverage programs for boutique restaurants and hotel groups to private collections nationally. In 2016, she was head-hunted for a sales position for a boutique wholesaler, Favorite Brands, where she quickly ran up the ranks becoming both Wine Portfolio Manager and Sales Manager. She consistently met with local government and participated in state senate hearings to repeal the then retaliatory tax on imports before the pandemic hit and continued to via Zoom thereafter. During the pandemic, Mercier additionally took on managing the company alongside Texas-based leadership. With staff on furlough, this meant pulling and staging orders, running deliveries, merchandising, sales and continuing to run the portfolio. While running deliveries in the early hours, she additionally met with state legislators via Zoom to advocate for local restaurants and retailers to continue business in any capacity. In 2021, she was offered a position with importer French Libation and soon after was approached by importer Boutique Wine Collection, a portfolio specializing in indigenous varieties from the eastern hemisphere. While running the western half of the region, she also interprets producer meetings overseas and is on the brand development and acquisitions team. Mercier is of Parisian-Basque in heritage, grew up in Central America and is first generation United States citizen, currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri with her sweetheart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1709426348621-GRLU31E9PJ3O4FHDMFQI/IMG_0594.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Katixa Mercier - Program Lead Katixa Mercier started her career 18 years ago as a sommelier in fine dining; curating and managing award-winning programs in New Mexico. In 2010, Mercier started consulting for beverage programs for boutique restaurants and hotel groups to private collections nationally. In 2016, she was head-hunted for a sales position for a boutique wholesaler, Favorite Brands, where she quickly ran up the ranks becoming both Wine Portfolio Manager and Sales Manager. She consistently met with local government and participated in state senate hearings to repeal the then retaliatory tax on imports before the pandemic hit and continued to via Zoom thereafter. During the pandemic, Mercier additionally took on managing the company alongside Texas-based leadership. With staff on furlough, this meant pulling and staging orders, running deliveries, merchandising, sales and continuing to run the portfolio. While running deliveries in the early hours, she additionally met with state legislators via Zoom to advocate for local restaurants and retailers to continue business in any capacity. In 2021, she was offered a position with importer French Libation and soon after was approached by importer Boutique Wine Collection, a portfolio specializing in indigenous varieties from the eastern hemisphere. While running the western half of the region, she also interprets producer meetings overseas and is on the brand development and acquisitions team. Mercier is of Parisian-Basque in heritage, grew up in Central America and is first generation United States citizen, currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri with her sweetheart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749762543036-W7V6OO6UMURVAZ7T3RNM/me3.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Ali Hill Ali Hill is a Certified Sommelier originally from New Mexico where she spent five years with a local distributor selling full book and eventually managing the Beer Portfolio. She is currently based out of Denver and has been with Wine Bridge Imports for nearly seven years. She manages the Southwest and New England regions for WBI where she is proud to represent a small, family-owned Importer who specializes in small production, carefully crafted wines from Argentina, Chile, Spain, Portugal, Italy and New Zealand. Ali is on the board of the Women’s Wine Guild of Colorado and committed to advocating for Women in the Beverage and Hospitality sectors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749763082804-9EPEOXJ4OEMF8L4OZ2U4/IMG_2302.jpeg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Alison Barstad Alison Barstad is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, specializing in wine and spirits sales, luxury brand development, and operational strategy. Born and raised in Napa Valley, she brings deep-rooted expertise in fine wine, craft cocktails, and five-star hospitality. She has held executive roles including District Manager at Palm Bay International and Beverage Director at top Napa and Southern California establishments, driving territory growth, revitalizing beverage programs, and leading large teams. Alison also consults through her firm, AB Consulting, scaling e-commerce brands and spearheading marketing and operations across on- and off-premise markets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749763365720-Y3GFOU8CND04WP4VW4OH/Christina+Donley.png Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Christina Donley Christina Donley began her career at Ridge in 2003 when she was hired at the newly constructed Lytton Springs Winery. After managing sales and hospitality at the Tasting Room, Christina became Ridge’s first Wholesale Manager and over the years directed sales in 31 states and four Canadian provinces. Currently she manages the Western Region including California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii and her favorite, New Mexico. Born in the Bay Area, Christina grew up in Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in International Affairs. After University she pursued a life back in California, where she lived for several years before finding a new life in Sandia Mountains of New Mexico. A champion for women and minorities in the wine industry, she helped create Ridge’s Diversity Committee in 2020 and has continued to help her community through mentorship and leadership. An avid cook, Christina also loves camping, singing, and hanging out with her friends and family. She is honored to be a part of the Ridge Team and their commitment to producing wines of the highest quality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709454222-I1J6YLT4LID8RGWPF9SR/IMG_6051.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Julia Vaninger Julia Vaninger has 20+ years of experience in beverage, primarily focused on distribution and sales. She currently is the SVP for Jacquins Spirts and has had the great privilege of working for Red Bull, Diageo, Remy Cointreau, Heineken, Coravin and Stoli throughout her career. Past experience includes key account management, distribution management, National Accounts and high image accounts in all 50 states and Canada. Her goal and objective with the Batonnage program is to coach women who are eager to grow their career in distribution and sales within beverage; working with them to overcome daily challenges and find their long term career path. She is eager to understand her mentees goals and hep work to achieve them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749763172937-R24O7X9IDN3XKKTRQYOU/TSW_Sarah-4.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Sarah Kasai Sarah Kasai is a seasoned sales and marketing professional, currently serving as the Director of DTC Sales & Marketing at Three Sticks Wines. She brings a strong background in direct-to-consumer strategy, with a particular focus on fine wine and luxury, family-owned wineries. Sarah is passionate about leveraging customer data to create meaningful, personalized experiences that drive engagement and loyalty. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management from Florida Atlantic University and completed the Graduate Program in Wine & Beverage at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Sarah also holds several wine certifications, including Level 2 Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Originally from South Florida, Sarah now calls Sonoma County home. An avid baker and enthusiastic traveler, she enjoys spending time exploring California with her husband and dog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670736159983-GKUWJDEX2VHJO0BND1FG/anitha+gandhi.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Anitha Gandhi - Program Lead A theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, Anitha works in NYC and is always looking for reasons to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Representative for David Bowler Wine, covering both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts, to education and to managing your own bottom line. As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), Anitha wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine, reaching a broader audience - and one which looks more like her...and like you. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but also the ones in the vineyards who support this entire industry, mostly in the background. Follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749764337435-3ILSM924BR55URMS9GEY/Passion+Essenza+Truck+Display.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Marisa Sergi Marisa Sergi is a third-generation winemaker, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and the CEO of L’uva Bella Winery, one of the fastest-growing wine companies in the Midwest. With over a decade of hands-on experience in brand building, retail strategy, and product development, she has led her wines into 5,000+ retail stores nationwide. Marisa is passionate about creating pathways for women and underrepresented communities in the wine industry, using her platform to mentor, advocate, and help others navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and scaling in a competitive market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709353718-LN2KZRBCULI6FEB8QADV/image0+%281%29.jpeg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Natalie Vaclavik Giddy up! Yes girl, Natalie Vaclavik, @purplecowgrl as many of her friends call her. With over a decade of experience in distribution and sales, Natalie's journey in the wine industry has been an incredible adventure built on relationships and tenacity to get the job done. Natalie is currently the National Sales Director of family-owned estate vineyards Jonata & Hilt Estate in Santa Barbara and is the winery owner of Poggio Costa, a sparkling prosecco from Italy. Natalie is deeply involved in every aspect of her wineries. Her approach is rooted in building her career based on genuine relationships and pursuing her passion for building the wineries footprint across the country. Natalie's professional trajectory began just like many of you, as a sales rep on the streets, working for Glazers Domaines & Estates Wine, where she quickly became a top performer, specializing in high-end wine sales for the top accounts in Houston. At the youthful age of 24, she had an opportunity of a lifetime, taking on the role of Sales Director for Evening Lands Vineyards working in Burgundy, Oregon, and Santa Rita Hills. As this world is so connected, subsequently, Natalie became the first sales manager for Terroir Selections, representing renowned brands such as Qupe, Leviathan, Mayacamas, Sandhi, and Mulderbosch. Her entrepreneurial spirit then led her to create Victory Wine Group, a successful distribution company that she helped build from the ground up. The foundation of Victory Wine Group is built on the strong relationships Natalie cultivated with both producers and customers, showcasing her commitment to fostering genuine connections in every aspect of her professional life, which has been integral to her success. In addition to her thriving career, Natalie recently embraced the joys of motherhood, welcoming a beautiful baby boy last year. Not sure if having a baby was meant to slow her down, she now has a charming copilot accompanying her on the flights around America, navigating the world of wine sales with the baby in tow. This journey has surprisingly proven that being a mother has not only added depth to her personal life but has also brought a unique perspective and resilience to her professional endeavors, reinforcing the idea that parenthood and a successful business can coexist harmoniously. As third season mentor for Bâtonnage, she is driven by the desire to help demystify the distribution and sales processes, encouraging individuals to delve deep into their true passions within the business. Her mission goes beyond imparting knowledge; she is dedicated to guiding others in following their intuition and unlocking their full potential within the industry. For her, these mentorship connections are cherished above all, recognizing that meaningful relationships are the cornerstone of professional growth in the wine industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641864947800-FJLQZXCO09N8KDURBBV1/IMG_3894.jpeg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Susan Hayes Susan Hayes is the Vice President of MO Cellar Selections, a wine broker with a portfolio specializing in premium and super premium wines and spirits. She covers 6 West Coast states Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Previously Susan held a 34 year career at Costco Wholesale, with 15 of those years as the Wine and Spirits Buyer. Her buying career expands decades and has allowed her to travel the world, meet notable industry personalities. Hayes holds the WSET Level 2 certificate. In addition, she was inducted into Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc. Susan’s industry experience is truly invaluable and can help mentees navigate through their own careers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783375605-JGHRSAL5KJR9PSUH90KW/Capture.PNG Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Aleks Chereck Aleks is a multifaceted wine professional with 14+ years of industry experience spanning from retail to viticulture and hospitality to sales. Growing up in Atlanta, she worked in her dad’s shop, Decatur Package Store, learning the ins & outs of beverage retail. After college, she moved from retail to restaurants and focused on continuing education through Somm certifications and a harvest internship at Domain Les Lys in Southern France. Aleks was able to work with high performing teams from corporate establishments to Michelin Star programs during her time in the restaurant industry. In 2017 she moved into sales as the Northern California Brand Manager for Trinchero Family Estates. After 6 years with RNDC, she moved on to Northern California Area Manager for Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners. Aleks currently lives in Oakland and is very excited to share her passion with the Batonnage Mentorship program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1719783297364-BC40MFDK25EJT8YFGGYM/IMG_3275.JPG Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Bonnie Buchanan As Head of Commercial Strategy & Planning Bonnie is responsible for building the global business strategy for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Her work focuses on supporting the mission of WSET, to offer best in class beverage education to trade and enthusiasts worldwide. With 15 years of experience in the wine industry, Bonnie started her career working in retail and then moved to the distribution and import side of the business. Her work focused on business development for partners ranging in size from international suppliers to boutique family run wineries. Bonnie holds a master’s in International Business Management and WSET Level III Wine qualification. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709484192-8QK6ZXDPPXWGJRFOANZY/JDPicture.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Jaclyn Duvieilh Jackie has been a part of the wine industry since 2002. She has worked for importers and distributors in both Louisiana and Texas. She is currently responsible for importing some of the finest wines in the world and has contacts in a number of the top wine-producing nations including France, Italy, Chile, South Africa, and Lebanon. She has also traveled to both domestic and foreign wineries in search of knowledge and value. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709524754-XLAMQYCSQP1TQMJB8WII/TARYN+WESTRA.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Taryn Westra An avid supporter of growth and development, Taryn believes in supporting her team through all challenges. Raised as a competitive swimmer, and ultimately swimming for the University of Michigan, she believes in the power of every individual contributing to the success of the team. Starting her wine career with the Signature division of Southern in Chicago in 2007, Taryn has since worked for several different suppliers, representing a variety of producer-driven brands and commercial portfolios, now overseeing sales for the western half of the country with Winebow Imports, managing the greatest team in the wine industry. At the height of pandemic, she moved with her family to west Michigan, and bought a farm. She is now as well-versed about the intricacies of chickens, as she is about the Cru’s of Champagne. Her favorite hobbies are growing flowers, hosting dinner parties, and taking care of critters with her family. She is passionate about ensuring that everyone feels safe and empowered in all forums, and works to achieve this goal professionally and personally. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709572545-33B6IZFP5B3I8HJT1GO0/IMG_1877.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Ailis Peplau With degrees in the humanities and French/Italian fluency, Ailis’ introduction to the wine industry began with “I like wine, maybe I can find a job in that” and she has never looked back. Over the course of the last ten years, she held a number of roles including: importing & distribution logistics, marketing, management, wholesale sales, DTC coordination as well as wine bar, retail, and harvest work. She began her days at Vintage ‘59 Imports learning a foundation of wine through daily conversations with French vignerons and later completed the WSET Diploma. In 2017 she switched from back-end logistics to wholesale distribution at Chambers & Chambers and then with Sacred Thirst Selections, building the Northern California sales footprint for the last four years. Her favorite aspects of the industry are building relationships: with producers, with accounts, and with colleagues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709605892-7YJ4BC273V5EPVV41Z6T/Nicole-Hakli-starchefs.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Nicole Hakli Nicole Hakli is a NYC-based beverage professional with 14 years of experience in the luxury wine and spirits industry. Nicole has worked in all facets of the supply chain from top Michelin-starred restaurants like Eleven Madison Park to distribution, supply, and even a splash in viniculture! The journey of working as a sommelier in NY hospitality and achieving the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Certification laid the groundwork to develop strong trade relationships in the wine community as a trusted and passionate educator. Supporting sommelier accolades have included Wine & Spirits Magazine Best New Sommelier 2016 and Court of Master Sommeliers Rudd Scholar 2017. Nicole continued to lead through educational excellence when she transitioned into a role with Krug Champagne as the U.S. National Ambassador in 2019. Today, she engages in her wine community through supply education and partnered events in her role as Fine Wine & Craft Spirits Manager at Constellation Aspira. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709326179-5AQ3BIJUXNCNNUCE3XOU/COLOR_MelissaGraeffheadshots-7+%281%29.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Melissa Graeff Melissa joined Skurnik Wines and Spirits at the beginning of 2023 to work in wine portfolio management. She began her career working in government affairs in the Washington, DC area, but fell in love with wine while working part-time at a northern Virginia winery. Ultimately, she made the transition to working full-time in the wine industry by going into retail and has held various other positions including being a sommelier, working in wine importation, sales management, then ultimately moving to New York City in 2022 to work in logistics and portfolio management. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705709690071-HD0F2GCU2K879BYT9X99/profile+pic.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Georgia Sugerman Georgia Sugerman studied Math and Latin at Oberlin College, initially spending three years on Wall Street before pursuing her passion for wine. She worked weekends at a wine shop while taking courses at the International Wine Center, later obtaining her Diploma with the WSET. Georgia spent a decade working for T Edward, a NYC-based importer and distributor. She started as a New York City sales rep, later becoming the tri-state sales manager, VP of Sales and ultimately Vice President. After taking a couple years off with her young children, she became a Personal Wine Advisor for Direct Wines, a direct-to-consumer marketing company representing the Wall Street Journal Wine Club among others. In 2022, she began consulting on data and sales insights for Vine Connections, a premier sake and wine importer. She has just launched a new consulting company, Better Half Partners, with her husband Will. They hope to lend their expertise to other companies and producers while also spending time with their 4 and 7 year old children, Lana and Charlie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1650482819389-IPT29NO2N0CSTO9M9ZF9/Giuseppe+LoCascio+Profile+Pic.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Giuseppe LoCascio A New York City native, Giuseppe grew up in Italy where he graduated in Economics and Business Administration. Giuseppe moved back to New York in 2002 and in 2010 received his MBA from Fordham Graduate School of Business. Until August 2016, Giuseppe was the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian Wine Imports Division of The Winebow Group. In January 2017, Giuseppe founded his own Consulting Company and Import Agency, based in NYC. As an Agent, Giuseppe serves 12 US Markets with a selection of high-quality Italian wineries. In April 2017, Giuseppe became one of the few US-based Italian Wine Ambassadors for the Vinitaly International Academy program. Since 2019 Giuseppe has been teaching the class on the US Wine Market for the Master in Wine Business of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy. In July 2020, Giuseppe co-founded and launched Lucidity Wine Merchants, a boutique Import and Distribution company located in Sacramento, California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749762908728-5F9MQROCBAKEDPOGD9ML/20230523_151634.jpg Sales & Distribution 2025 Mentors - Jo Barrett Jo Barrett is the Regional Sales Manager for Broadbent Selections and brings over 15 years of experience in wine sales, brand development, and distribution strategy. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with a diverse portfolio of producers, from esteemed European estates to emerging New World wineries, helping them grow their presence through thoughtful, market-driven storytelling. Jo is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of women in the wine industry and views mentorship as a vital means of encouraging leadership, building confidence, and promoting long-term success. She believes that wine should be both intentional and accessible, and that creating space for others is essential to a thriving industry. https://www.batonnageforum.com/wine-business-2025-mentors daily 0.75 2025-10-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085078613-IE6P2BF5L17Q36PEQ11N/LMF+Cellar+Door.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Lily Freedman - Program Lead Lily Mirabelle Freedman is the General Manager of Dunn Vineyards, the first non-family member to oversee the operation. She grew up in the New York City restaurant business, which fostered her love of collecting and learning about fine and rare wine. While pursuing a degree in English at the University of Chicago, she worked in the kitchens of Daniel Boulud and Missy Robbins to learn the intricacies of the restaurant world. After college, Freedman served as a recipe developer at Bon Appetit Magazine and on several cookbooks. Freedman honed her expertise for nearly eight years at Acker Wines, the world’s leading fine wine auction house, departing in 2021 as Director of Special Projects. There, she defined the company’s data analytics program, and her work focused on the experience and understanding of the world’s rarest wines. In 2021, she was brought to Napa to oversee the marketing efforts at Colgin Cellars, directing private client sales, managing global pricing, and spearheading a variety of operations, technology, and hospitality initiatives. Since arriving at Dunn Vineyards in 2023, Lily has immersed herself in the challenges facing small, particularly family-owned, wineries today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085078613-IE6P2BF5L17Q36PEQ11N/LMF+Cellar+Door.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Lily Freedman - Program Lead Lily Mirabelle Freedman is the General Manager of Dunn Vineyards, the first non-family member to oversee the operation. She grew up in the New York City restaurant business, which fostered her love of collecting and learning about fine and rare wine. While pursuing a degree in English at the University of Chicago, she worked in the kitchens of Daniel Boulud and Missy Robbins to learn the intricacies of the restaurant world. After college, Freedman served as a recipe developer at Bon Appetit Magazine and on several cookbooks. Freedman honed her expertise for nearly eight years at Acker Wines, the world’s leading fine wine auction house, departing in 2021 as Director of Special Projects. There, she defined the company’s data analytics program, and her work focused on the experience and understanding of the world’s rarest wines. In 2021, she was brought to Napa to oversee the marketing efforts at Colgin Cellars, directing private client sales, managing global pricing, and spearheading a variety of operations, technology, and hospitality initiatives. Since arriving at Dunn Vineyards in 2023, Lily has immersed herself in the challenges facing small, particularly family-owned, wineries today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085643088-IA8PT4Z4Q21E1RTJPNQ4/IMG_0930.jpeg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Beth Feather-Forziati With over a decade of experience, Beth offers comprehensive expertise spanning the entire wine business—from hands-on harvest work to marketing, sales and portfolio management. Beth excels in building and nurturing winemaker relationships through strategic sales planning, purchase forecasting, and effective storytelling that connects producers to nationwide sales teams. Her French language skills are employed daily as she maintains consistent, clear communication with a variety of wine suppliers. Her analytical approach to business, demonstrated through data-driven inventory management, competitive price analysis and financial planning has allowed her to excel in the dynamic role of portfolio manager these last three years. Through collaborative teamwork across multiple departments, Beth has worked on meaningful corporate initiatives. Her organizational prowess enables her to manage multiple priorities—from addressing time-sensitive sales inquiries to monitoring depletions—while her wine tasting skills and continuous pursuit of knowledge ensure the portfolio remains current and competitive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085026042-IKLB223Y0TQ9W6BP0MFU/Bonnie+Headshot+Nov+2024.JPG Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Bonnie Eberly As Head of Commercial Strategy & Planning Bonnie is responsible for building the global business strategy for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Her work focuses on supporting the mission of WSET, to offer best in class beverage education to trade and enthusiasts worldwide. With 15 years of experience in the wine industry, Bonnie started her career working in retail and then moved to the distribution and import side of the business. Her work was focused on business development for partners ranging in size from international suppliers to boutique family run wineries. Bonnie holds a master’s in international business management and WSET Level III Wine qualification. She is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier and has helped to mentor other women in the industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710637883-5IZRH3PJP7WFPET7YQF0/Jennifer-Locke+-+Photo.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Jennifer Locke With extensive global experience in the fine wine sector, Jen joined Crimson Wine Group as its Chief Executive Officer in December 2019. She brings to the company inspirational leadership skills and an industrywide reputation for delivering results and leading high-performing teams in a collaborative and innovative style. Prior to joining Crimson, Jen was Senior Vice President of U.S. Luxury and Direct-to-Consumer Sales, Americas, at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), a publicly traded global wine company, based in Melbourne, Australia. A Northwest native, Jen previously was Director of National Wholesale, Export and Direct-to-Consumer Sales at Willakenzie Estate and was Pacific Senior Regional Sales Manager at Chalone Wine Group. She began her hospitality industry career more than 20 years ago as a wine buyer and training manager at several fine-dining restaurants in Seattle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1761849339173-WUNQYPOJEQ3LYH8KRMCM/Batonnage+mentor+2025+Julie+Lumgair+winemaker+GM+DSC_8197.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Julie Lumgair Julie Lumgair is a luxury-tier consulting and hands-on winemaker with more than twenty vintages and 26 varietals across Napa, Sonoma, and Italy. Her experience spans estate and consulting roles for both boutique and large wineries, including her own label, Art Nouveau Wines. Her wines have been featured in Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits, and she received NorCal Public Media’s 2023 Food & Wine Award for Heroes and Makers Who Give Back. In 2025, she was recognized for her leadership by U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson. A fifth-generation Tennessee farmer, Julie began her career at Procter & Gamble, developing her sensory science and leadership expertise. She now pairs winemaking with business advising and speaking, and serves as President of Women for WineSense Napa/Sonoma, a Unified Wine & Grape Symposium committee member, and a mentor for Bâtonnage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085265615-P2JW2P5SBFUWNNLL4F9V/IMG_5431.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Maia Parish Maia Parish is a Denver based sommelier, wine writer, wine educator, events producer and consultant. Her wine writing includes stories on regions, wine, wine makers and pairings. She holds a BA in Journalism and Communications, a WSET Level Two Certification in Wine and Spirits, and has sat for the WSET Level Three Certification and Certified Wine Scholar. Maia Parish is the Founder of The Wine Suite LLC, a wine pairing events company that uses education to center the wine lifestyle. She features black and brown cultures, women, and lgbtq+ communities. Maia Parish is a member of the Colorado Chapter of Les Dames de Escoffier, Mentor with Bâtonnage Forum and works with The James Beard Foundation and Colorado Tourism. Maia holds a BA in Journalism and Communication Studies and began the MA Program in Human Resources and Organizational Development. Maia is a freelance writer and you can see her work in Somm Journal, Food and Wine Magazine, VINEPAIR, Ebony, USA today, Wine Enthusiast, and 5280 Magazine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085708219-8S7X07HJI7S790J7PXT4/IMG_9265.JPG Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Mayra Hernandez Mayra Hernandez is an ICF Certified Coach specializing in Leadership & Mindset (ACC, CPCC) and Founder & CEO of Mayra Hernandez Coaching, dedicated to elevating leadership within the wine & spirits industry. With over 15 years of operational leadership experience, including eight years directing wine production at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Mayra brings a unique perspective as a chemical engineer with expertise in neuroscience backed leadership strategies. Her bilingual (English/Spanish) coaching programs and custom workshops integrate emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and behavioral change methodologies to empower emerging and seasoned leaders. An international retreat leader, Mayra is leading her 3rd women's personal development retreat in Ubud, Bali in May 2025. Mayra has partnered with prestigious organizations including The Wine Group, Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, Dream Big Darling, and the University of Michigan, demonstrating her commitment to developing the next generation of wine industry leaders through both individual coaching and team facilitation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1750085809008-C2OV7KIJHSFNX0I6IIM5/Image+6-11-24+at+6.45+PM.JPG Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Robin Farina Robin has had a long run in professional sports, competing at the highest level in Women’s Cycling since the early 2000s. Towards the end of her career, she wanted to broaden her scope by learning about wine, food, and travel. Over the last 10 years, she has focused on understanding different facets of the wine industry through her studies in the WSET program, where she is a Diploma candidate completing the Level 4 D2 program. She recently completed the Professional Wine Educators Course through the Napa Valley Wine Academy. Her love for wine and sharing it with people has led her down the sales path. She currently works as Sales Manager for vinSUITE, selling DTC solutions to wineries. She also has experience selling wine for importers/distributors. In her spare time, Robin loves being outside riding bikes, being in nature, and running all while spending time with her partner, Kurt, and her GSP Lucy. She lives in Nevada City, CA, but is originally from Nashville, TN, where she still has family roots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1692206609337-0QJ1VCQ8HUQ3EUS48BH0/Eva+w+Vine.jpeg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Eva Bertran Eva Bertran was raised in Barcelona, Spain, to a wine merchant family that goes back generations. After earning her MBA at ESADE, she moved to Sonoma, California, in 1987 as part of the original team that launched Gloria Ferrer Winery. For over 30 years, Eva formed part of the management team of both Gloria Ferrer Winery and the Ferrer family import company, Freixenet USA, where she launched and grew brands both boutique and high-volume brands from over 20 of the best-known appellations in eight countries, spanning Old and New World. Over those three decades, Eva oversaw the winery’s operations and developed great teams to lead in Marketing, Communications, DTC, Sales, and Finance. She traveled extensively as an ambassador to sales teams, distributors, trade organizations, and the public at events and tastings. In 2019, she founded a business consulting company, Eva Bertran Consulting LLC, that assists domestic and import wineries and trade associations with strategic planning, business development, and sales plans. Eva has served on the board and as President of Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers. She was member of various committees in those associations as well as the California Wine Institute and Carneros Wine Alliance. She worked closely with Foods & Wines from Spain, SOPEXA (France), Wines from Argentina, and Wines from Italy. She also serves as member of the Program Development Committee for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Eva is fluent in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, and Italian, and has traveled to over 50 appellations around the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710551159-2Y4WKGTNLRT1OKF86ILY/MBV+photo+2.png Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Monica Bielka-Vescovi Monika is an international wine educator, judge, journalist and university lecturer currently holding the WSET Diploma. Monika has mentored WSET students, taught accredited courses up to the WSET Diploma level and lectured for over 10 years in the USA, UK, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary. She is the founder and honorary President of the Polish Women and Wine Association, and Ambassador of the European Association of Sommeliers. In 2017, Monika was awarded the best female entrepreneur award by the Law Business Quality Magazine, and in 2019 she received the Polish Women of Wine Award. Her hospitality experience as beverage director and wine trainer at the five star Six Senses Resorts and Spas in Asia, and fine dining management in Memphis TN, Broomfield & Boulder CO brings a wealth of practical experience to her classroom. Monika has many years of wine buying experience and has created several award winning wine lists for her clients. At present she fulfilles a role of Director at NVWA Educaton Center. Monika loves to study and continues her wine journey as a student of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Stage 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710606187-F22OLPLXPZ7GTRXHETXJ/SPG+245.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Cari Focht Cari Focht is a Certified Specialist of Wine with over 15 years of experience in managing and selling an extensive portfolio of wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages on a national scale. Having worked across diverse facets of the wine business, including sales, brand management, supply chain, and importing, she brings a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Her enduring passion for the industry has manifested in various forms throughout her career. In the beginning, she was driven by a thirst for education, diligently pursuing every available exam to deepen my knowledge. Subsequently, she was motivated to relocate to another market, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to advancing my career. Now, she is focused on running a portfolio in collaboration with industry leaders at a national level. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Cari is dedicated to working with national chain accounts in both on and off-premise channels. She is also keen on expanding her network to connect with new wine and beverage customers in a more modern and forward-thinking manner, aligning with the evolving landscape of the industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710673225-2U57YGQ5EF4H17J50NJD/Cowan-9238.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Kendra Kawala Kendra is Maker’s President and Head of Sales. Kendra leads Maker’s investor relations, sales partnerships, and wholesale strategy, and is responsible for spreading the gospel of premium canned wine and getting cans-in-hands all over the US. Kendra built her early career as a healthcare management consultant at Huron Consulting Group where she specialized in operations, innovation, and B2B sales. A Chicago native, Kendra was inspired to enter the wine industry after moving to California for Business School and getting a front row seat to wine’s complex industry dynamics and the thousands of independent makers perfecting their craft. Kendra gets excited about creating change in an old school industry, and building out a world-class sales team to change wine for the better. Kendra’s excited about paying it forward by helping women enter the wine industry and establish themselves, start their own company, or build out a go-to-market playbook. You can find her @kendrakawala on Instagram or Twitter and Kendra Kawala on LinkedIn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710482243-A429UIHR3RTX616GILYI/Headshot2021+2.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Elise Spangenberg Since joining DAOU in May 2013, Elise has served as Controller, head of People & Culture, and now Senior Vice President of People, responsible for Human Resources, Business Transformation (process development, knowledge management, and internal communications), Systems & Technology, and Compliance & Regulation. Drawing on her accounting background and HR expertise, Elise leads DAOU’s people strategy to build an organization focused on high performance, exponential growth, scalability, and a vibrant, inclusive culture. As a wine industry veteran, Elise previously worked for Conway Family Wines. Elise holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Marketing from Miami University. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706718520542-AGXRTP1J1MR43YZ50KWD/Maeve+Headshot+SommCon.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Maeve Pesquera Maeve Pesquera is a wine industry executive, educator and innovator with more than 30 years of experience in prestige hospitality, strategic marketing, culture creation and business development. As DAOU’s Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, Maeve has helped steer the global growth and recognition for America’s fastest growing luxury wine brand. In addition to her role at DAOU, Maeve holds board and leadership roles in numerous industry organizations, including the California Wine Institute and the PASO Robles CAB Collective. Maeve’s visionary ethos has made her an in-demand mentor and speaker at wine industry forums nationwide and she is frequently asked to speak on several topics of expertise, including executive leadership and business operations; company culture creation; beverage and hospitality programs; marketing and public relations; consumer-centric brand building; and mentoring the next generation of women leaders in the wine and spirits field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710497782-TMNS290ZMBIXETGVWRRC/R5B_2859.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Jaime Araujo Jaime has over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry, in the USA, Europe and Asia. She has run her own businesses since 2004 and has done almost every job needed during the start-up periods of her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710816259-UJHFOAI7D1VPWBY6W1GA/Kelsey+Phelps_headshot+low+res.jpeg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Kelsey Phelps Kelsey grew up in the wine industry, learning from her grandfather as she shadowed him in the vineyards and back-of-house as he built his iconic business. Kelsey inherited Joe’s entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, and practiced law in Silicon Valley before following her heart to pursue a career in wine. Kelsey founded her own company, SEPPI Craft Wines, so that she could create and share her values, philosophies, and fun-loving personality with like-minded wine enthusiasts. Every vintage is a collaboration between Kelsey, who acts as creative director, and her talented contributing winemaker. Kelsey selects the vineyard sites, selects yeasts, and approves blends before making aging decisions, including how long wines stay en tirage. Since her transition to winemaking, Kelsey was named a finalist for the WSET/IWSC “Future 50” industry leaders award. She is a Level 1 accredited sommelier with both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, and an active member of Women of the Vine and Spirits. Kelsey believes in working hard, but that success is meaningless without joy, fun, and a little lighthearted humor along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705710978331-417W6XNSEYRCYGT5RDEE/IMG_2186.jpg Wine Business 2025 Mentors - Emily Porter - Program Lead With a career spanning over 22 years, Emily Porter has established herself as a dedicated wine business educator and strategist. Currently, she plays a dual role at Sonoma State University, both for the Wine Business Institute (WBI) and the SSU MBA Programs. Emily, an alumna herself with an Executive Wine MBA achieved in 2021, now applies her extensive industry knowledge to recruit and mentor the next generation of wine business leaders. Before her tenure at SSU, Emily's diverse experiences ranged from vineyard labor in Australia to wine sales in San Francisco and beyond. Her career began at Frog’s Leap Winery in Napa, where she discovered her life’s calling in the business of wine. This revelation propelled her through notable roles in sales and distribution, representing esteemed names such as E&J Gallo, Wine Warehouse, and Trefethen Family Vineyards across the West Coast. Her diverse experiences and accomplishments make her a well-rounded professional with insights into multiple facets of the business of wine and is eager to serve with the women of Bâtonnage to foster the next generations. https://www.batonnageforum.com/viticulture-2025-mentors daily 0.75 2025-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885580491-AIMN7E39BBVTFE5IL233/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Mary Maher - Program Lead Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils. Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885580491-AIMN7E39BBVTFE5IL233/Mary+Maher.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Mary Maher - Program Lead Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary; collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 35 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who value farming practices that equally respect the people and nature. Mary has been managing vineyards since 2001 for Bill Harlan. In 2022, she changed directions and stepped aways from day-to-day management. She currently works with the vineyard teams at Harlan and Promontory managing their vineyard developments and oversees Silverado Farming Company's philanthropic work with the community. Follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749590240357-QBW3RALZEMXIEJVL6A03/Amanda+Cihlar+Battonage+Photo.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Amanda Cihlar Amanda Cihlar is a self-proclaimed plant nerd with a passion for soils and wine styles. With a horticulture degree from Clemson University and a master’s in viticulture from UC Davis, Amanda has over a decade of harvests under her belt in the Willamette Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Napa Valley. Now, she sells grapes from iconic vineyards in Napa and Sonoma, all while mentoring the next generation of wine professionals. When she’s not geeking out over grapes, Amanda loves cooking, reading, hiking, and chasing her two boys around with her loving husband. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749590064333-7WWF6VNO5ECXOH415T64/image.jpeg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Cathy Corison Cathy Corison has been making wine and growing grapes in the Napa Valley for 50 years. Her goal has always been to make world-class wine that speaks of place, is both powerful and elegant, graces the table and enjoys a long, interesting life. She just completed her 37th vintage of Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and has made wine for many projects in the Napa Valley including Chappellet Vineyard, Staglin Family, York Creek, Long Meadow Ranch and Yverdon. Her two estate vineyards are certified organic, and sustainability is a top priority out in the field and in the cellar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1749589967899-85FGWBJSYIOC3U3HB5XB/Douglas+Fletcher+Bio.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Douglas Fletcher Fletcher has enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in the wine business, first as winemaker at the legendary Martin Ray Vineyards, where he helped restore the prestige of California’s first “boutique” winery; then, at Chimney Rock Winery, where he oversaw the design and construction of the winery and conversion of a golf course to a 105-acre Stags Leap District vineyard; and most recently with the Terlato Wine Group. Fletcher is a widely quoted authority on vine balance and an expert on vineyard management for high-end wines. A trellising system he devised to optimize fruit maturation—designated “the Fletcher Lyre” by international vineyard consultant Dr. Richard Smart—has been adopted by others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705711037262-6TEG2FWCUJ1QV1AG4MF9/Ria+2023.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Ria D’Aversa Ria D’Aversa finished her undergraduate degree in Botany and began her career working with plants at the New York Botanical Garden. While there, the 2008 economic crisis nudged her to take a sabbatical, in which she turned it around and traveled to Tuscany to work her first grape harvest. In her travels, many encouraged her to continue working with vineyards by applying to graduate school at UC Davis. Ria received her Master’s of Science from UC Davis, focusing on viticulture and soil systems. It’s at Davis that Ria saw the beauty of the west and wine by visiting beautiful vineyards throughout the state of California. Since then, Ria has worked at Broc Cellars in Berkeley, Tenuta Tignanello in Chianti, Treasury Wine Estates in Sonoma, McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, Constellation Brands in Napa and at Hermann J. Wiemer in the Finger Lakes. Organic, deliberate farming is pivotal to Ria’s grape growing and she continues her love for thoughtful, fresh wines through her own small wine brand. She is currently teaching vineyard management at Cornell University and managing Hermann J. Wiemer's grapevine nursery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705711095390-A5DJMOPQQ1ASNUI6JH3H/unnamed.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Isabelle Straka Isabelle was born in St. Helena, and is an enthusiastic winemaker with a passion for viticulture and sustainability. After diving into the world of biology and chemistry at the University of Oregon, she earned a master's degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. During this time she worked as a viticultural scout for Mike Wolf Vineyard Services and acted as the tasting room manager for K. Laz Wine Collection in Yountville. Isabelle's winemaking journey began with internships at Schramsberg in Calistoga and Chateau LaTour Martillac in Bordeaux. She then became the assistant winemaker at Harlan Estate and BOND wineries in Oakville and later for Kinsman Wine Consulting. Recently, Isabelle became the winemaker for VHR, Vine Hill Ranch, where she collaborates closely with consulting winemaker Francoise Peschon and the vineyard managers at Mike Wolf Vineyard Services where she is focused on crafting wines of place, and focusing diligently on the sustainability of the ranch. Beyond the vineyards and cellars, she finds joy in gardening, cooking and spending time with her family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705711108624-VL9ZN6BVOPUODP17DX54/bat+profile+photo.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Cindy Hanlon A lifetime lover of wine, Cindy was born and raised in the FLX and continues to unearth and experience all it has to offer. The intrigue of how a single variety could make so many variations of wine, each masterful and unique, is how the whole party started for her. After a long tenure in the mortgage industry, it was grapes and wine styles that stole her heart. Finding a program in her own backyard, Finger Lakes wine country, was a dream that was meant to materialize. Science and art, two of Cindy’s favorite areas to study, paired with her love of being outdoors is how her journey goes. Graduating with a degree in Wine Technology and Viticulture gave her the foundation to secure a role within the industry. Her work began in a small vineyard on Lake Ontario, to then doing research with Finger Lakes Grape Program associated with Cornell, and now representing a Global company, E&J Gallo. Her broad experience across all components of wine from farm to farmer, vine to press, and bottling to facilitating tastings, Cindy offers a global perspective because she’s been an active contributor to each of these roles within the vast field of Wine and Viticulture. Cindy remains firmly planted within the Finger Lakes and Western NY grower base as the Grower Relations Coordinator. Visiting vineyards, creating community connection, and talking growing season is all within a day’s work. It’s true when they say, you just never know where the love of grapes will take you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1705711152753-KW7J6V3YGE5QQF0LY2LH/Lily+Gallagher+Bio+Pic.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Lily Gallagher Lily Gallagher is a viticulturist specializing in fertility management and IPM techniques. She enjoys the challenges of problem solving the puzzles that are vineyards, and finding solutions that offer the most equitable benefits for the vineyard ecosystem. Before joining Silverado Farming company in 2023, Lily enjoyed her time at various vineyards in Carneros, Stellenbosch, Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Lake County. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is offering advancement opportunities for her employees, and seeing how their lives transform following a new challenge. Lily thrives as a manager and enjoys training and guiding her direct reports in viticultural activities. In her free time, you can find Lily hiking the hills of Napa Valley, perusing the aisles of any local plant nursery, or buried in a new book. Lily resides in Napa with her husband, Travis, and geriatric cat, Bibs. You can follow her on Instagram at @lilkrosse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670974549436-EGDWNFSE2IFO11ADO6CZ/Daniela+Baza%CC%81n.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Daniela Bazán Daniela is a Napa Valley native who grew up running around some of the most prestigious vineyards alongside her father, a farmworker turned entrepreneur from Oaxaca, Mexico. After graduating from the University of San Francisco with a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies, she earned her MA in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, before ultimately returning to Napa. She has worked for her family’s vineyard management business for nearly 15 years overseeing administrative duties and also helping manage day-to-day vineyard operations, grower and winery relations, professional and educational development of vineyard crew members, as well as sustainable programs including organic certifications, Fish Friendly Farming & Napa Green certifications, EQIP and Healthy Soils Incentive Program grant applications and implementation, and pollinator habitat procurement and planting. She has also worked behind the scenes to support and develop her family’s wine label, Bazán Cellars, that started in 2005 with its first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is now featured in the Bazán Cellars Downtown Napa tasting room and includes their Cabernet Sauvignon alongside several additional varietals, all farmed by the Bazán vineyard crews. Daniela and her family are one of just a handful of Latinx wine producers in Napa Valley and are proud members of the Mexican American Vintners Association. Since 2013 Daniela has served on the Napa Valley Farmworker Education Committee, producing educational programming and events for farmworkers including the annual Día de la familia event. In addition to collaborating on annual programming for the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, she also served on its COVID-19 Task Force, coordinating efforts to connect community resources and distribute information in English, Spanish, Zapoteco and Mixteco. In 2018 she earned her MS in Environmental Management with a concentration in Ecology from the University of San Francisco and continues to focus on sustainable farming practices together with empowering the local farmworker community. Follow Bazán Cellars on Instagram @mariobazancellars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706034263421-OBLG0ADQNIMGYC94RSTD/1516894390287.jpeg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Molly Hodgins Viticulture Professor at Napa Valley College https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706034319704-F28BCMQM0UMTPJ6I91YR/1654745903190.jpeg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Allison Cellini Wilson Allison Wilson began her journey in viticulture by pursuing a degree in Fruit Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During her studies, she specialized in integrated pest management, gaining a deep understanding of sustainable farming practices and the importance of maintaining a healthy vineyard ecosystem. After completing her education, she joined Renteria Vineyard Management in Napa in 2012. As a viticulturist, she played a role in overseeing vineyard pest management. In 2015, Allison met the team at Cliff Lede Vineyards and joined as a viticulturist, eventually becoming the Director of Vineyard Operations. After 9 years, in January 2024, Allison embarked on a new chapter in her career as the Director of Vineyard Operations at Domaine Carneros, now overseeing 400 acres of vineyards. Outside of her professional endeavors, Allison spends time with her family and 2 young boys as well as sharing her passion for yoga as a teacher. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1706034369288-TTYW2FGPPYNUEWQ5RMJ5/1588615531281.jpeg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Lindsay Jordan Lindsay Jordan received her B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis where she participated in undergraduate research examining xylem structures, which started her down a science-based viticulture career path. She then pursued her Masters in Horticulture at Cornel, her thesis focusing on the effects of under-vine cover cropping on Riesling winegrapes. She then won a fellowship which allowed her to participate in vineyard cover crop research In Marlborough, New Zealand. Along the way, she worked harvests in the vineyard and lab in the Napa Valley and New Zealand, before she accepted the role of Viticulture Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension in 2015, serving Madera, Merced, and Mariposa counties. Her extension work focused on evaluating wine grape varieties suitable for hot climates and rootstock performance while supporting the growers covering 20,000 acres of grapes. This role was followed by opportunities at E.&J. Gallo as the Grower Outreach Educator and Trace Genomics as the Specialty Crop Agronomist, where she specialized in working closely with growers to present and apply technical, science-based information to improve wine grape quality and soil health respectively. She is currently with Constellation Brands in which she joined in 2020 as the Regional Viticulturist for the Central Coast, overseeing the technical viticulture program for the thousands of internally farmed acres. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1670885653938-YBVQGZJZLHGQVSL4XOIJ/erin+mason.jpg Viticulture 2025 Mentors - Erin Mason Erin’s vineyard experience is in implementing various regenerative practices, including animal integration, as well as reimagining and challenging traditional ideas of how vineyard systems operate. Her knowledge is based on a holistic approach to vineyard management—one that seeks to work with the natural environment, encourage healthy ecosystems, increase biodiversity, and values profitability and community wellness. A native of the southeast, her formative years were spent as a military brat in small town coastal Georgia. She studied art history and interior design at the University of Georgia in Athens, but followed a different post-collegiate path into restaurants. Working professionally as a manager and beverage director in Atlanta for a decade, Erin also became a devoted student of wine, leading to an unconventional route in viticulture. Erin was always highly attuned to the issues of environmental sustainability. As she learned more about wine production and its implications in the world, a desire to change her relationship to wine grew. In 2019, Erin decided to start fresh and moved to the Central Coast of California. After seasonal gigs on the crush pad, in vineyards, tending to animals, pouring in tasting rooms, and a lot soul searching—Erin moved to Paicines Ranch in San Benito County to work and live full-time as a vineyard intern in 2022. The following year, she started a new position (both to her and the company) as the Regenerative Specialist for Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles where she is currently employed. https://www.batonnageforum.com/2024-forum-gallery daily 0.75 2024-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711428728308-DS8KBXO2K9GXX8T8PP8D/DSC_0370+%281%29.JPG 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711511432291-84QWNTD812SNVPM3JGGW/EmmaKMorris-09541.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711428890686-4042H4MO3W3DGC5H7025/EmmaKMorris-00049.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711511405479-OJO9PBE2AOV8LK8MP4E7/EmmaKMorris-09501.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711593478513-1F6BW4O2PH4Q2TXKRXAE/Batonnage_061.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711511362055-1WC0X4I6MC3QP765IYTK/EmmaKMorris-00017.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711511490769-0JCWY2ZI10LCHMVWCT4N/Batonnage_JFP39.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711511592978-P4PSAXLD9EONK6XQVJWB/Batonnage_JFP166.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711593650275-WEC86D1ZXCANN06XCZPF/Batonnage_JFP176.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711593752782-UQNLTU9S2CGX1PUJ2EZG/EmmaKMorris-09699.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1711593829320-7612MCKTXJLF9EJQ03IA/EmmaKMorris-09877.jpg 2024 Forum - Photos https://www.batonnageforum.com/2024-forum-panel daily 0.75 2024-05-04 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/t/663669e8dd9a3e096917ed8a/1712693937731/ 2024 Forum - Panel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/6615a25123736c5be3f1e16e/6615a2b145ea137cadc5e2b7/1712693937731/ 2024 Forum - Panel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712694089096-88ZYHO0IXS32WUR3393B/Martha+Stoumen2.jpg 2024 Forum - Panel - Martha Stoumen | Martha Stoumen Wines Martha Stoumen Wines was founded in Sonoma County, CA in 2014 with the goal of recapturing a farming and winemaking culture that has all but faded away: a winemaking culture of patience. After 8 years apprenticing with minimal-intervention winegrowers around the world, Martha set out as a self-funded, first generation winemaker to answer the question, “What does California taste like when we challenge the norm?” Our wines offer new takes on Northern Californian classics. 98% of our vineyards are either certified organic or practicing organic or biodynamic farming, with over 70% being dry farmed (meaning we only use the water nature provides). Martha is part of the 5% of women in the CA wine industry that are owners and lead winemakers. She is proud of her stellar female-led team as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712694081111-58UHBIOEL5WKB7PY3LDE/IMG_4091+-+Imane+Hanine.JPG 2024 Forum - Panel - Imane Hanine | Martha Stoumen Wines Imane Hanine, a first-generation New Yorker, and a rare “Swiss army knife” of the wine industry blending expertise in hospitality and production. With two decades of experience integrating social ethics and sustainability, she's held leadership roles in prominent restaurants and immersive vineyard and cellar apprenticeships. Now, as National Sales Manager for Martha Stoumen Wines, she pioneers change in California's wine landscape with the north star of the craft of winemaking, sustainable growth, transparency, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. Passionate about her journey as an aspiring vigneronne, speaker, and writer, she resides in Northern California, nurturing a vibrant community centered on responsibility, equity, and joy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641794198270-BTNG3DSZP8JQ1JOJALVU/Mary+Maher.jpg 2024 Forum - Panel - Mary Maher | Silverado Farming Company & Harlan Estate Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary; collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 35 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who value farming practices that equally respect the people and nature. Mary has been managing vineyards since 2001 for Bill Harlan. In 2022, she changed directions and stepped aways from day-to-day management. She currently works with the vineyard teams at Harlan and Promontory managing their vineyard developments and oversees Silverado Farming Company's philanthropic work with the community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1641782619120-RCPCA16FH9XK9SVXCC0A/Unknown+-+Julia+van+der+Vink.png 2024 Forum - Panel - Julia van der Vink | Aerika Estate Julia van der Vink is the owner, vineyard manager, and winemaker at Aerika Estate. Prior to founding Aerika in 2023, Julia spent eight years at Harlan Estate as the vineyard manager and director of research and development. Julia has also worked at several other wineries around the world including Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley, Mullineux in the Swartland, Burn Cottage in Central Otago, and Mayacamas in the Napa Valley. Originally from Maryland, Julia holds a degree in Government and Economics from Harvard University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713894656613-KJ5WIQFXXJNUKTC2KZWL/Angela+McCrae-Headshot-April+2024-1+-+Uncorked+%26+Cultured.JPG 2024 Forum - Panel - Angela McCrae | Uncorked & Cultured Angela McCrae is a creative strategist and entrepreneur with 25 years working in media, entertainment, and championing diversity. Throughout her career, she's engaged diverse audiences with impactful storytelling and innovative 360 experiences as an advocate and change maker. As a creative producer, Angela has worked with global brands, independent filmmakers, non-profits, festivals, wine organizations, and wine regions on DEI initiatives, branded content, wine travel experiences, and trade-focused events. Angela launched the wine and culture online publication, Uncorked & Cultured during COVID. The media company is a content, marketing, and engagement solution for the luxury wine and travel industries to deepen their value with Black and Brown consumers. She was recognized by Wine Business Monthly as a 2022 Wine Industry Leader, participated in the inaugural Lift Collective Entrepreneurship Program, and was selected as the 2023 Silver Oak Apprentice. Angela also serves as the Executive Director of the Association of African American Vintners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713558727583-VFQA8XG5J9TKEZSU27CG/Melissa+Headshot+-+Melissa+Lynch.jpg 2024 Forum - Panel - Melissa Lynch | Vinfluential Melissa Lynch has over 20 years of leadership experience in the luxury wine, technology, and hospitality industries. Prior to founding the ground-breaking brand ambassador program at Boisset Collection, Melissa co-founded WineShop At Home, a venture-backed social commerce company with a significant investment from E&J Gallo. Melissa is currently Chief Inspiration Officer of Vinfluential, helping wineries create sales and marketing programs that turn existing fans of brands into an engine for growth. Her passion is emerging technologies, strategic collaborations, and diversity initiatives that will help evolve the wine industry. https://www.batonnageforum.com/2024-forum-tasting daily 0.75 2024-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713810434874-T7AJPVKFMDU4HPLSLV40/IMG_8785+-+Cle%CC%81mence+Lelarge.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Clémence Lelarge | Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot champagnelelarge-pugeot.com The Lelarge family has been growing grapes since the late 1700s in the premier cru village of Vrigny in the Montagne de Reims. In the 1930s Raymond Lelarge started making and bottling Champagnes under his own label. Today, the 7th and 8th generation (Dominique, Dominique, Clémence, and Valentin) work together, farming a little over 8 hectares and making a wide range of biodynamic champagnes and coteaux champenois. The winery is Demeter certified. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713810434874-T7AJPVKFMDU4HPLSLV40/IMG_8785+-+Cle%CC%81mence+Lelarge.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Clémence Lelarge | Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot champagnelelarge-pugeot.com The Lelarge family has been growing grapes since the late 1700s in the premier cru village of Vrigny in the Montagne de Reims. In the 1930s Raymond Lelarge started making and bottling Champagnes under his own label. Today, the 7th and 8th generation (Dominique, Dominique, Clémence, and Valentin) work together, farming a little over 8 hectares and making a wide range of biodynamic champagnes and coteaux champenois. The winery is Demeter certified. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695231086-YR4XUNIJVWI6SP26PB65/IMG_20220315_102944_506+-+Birdhorse+Wines.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Corinne Rich | Birdhorse Wines birdhorsewines.com Birdhorse Wines is a collaborative winemaking enterprise between partners in love, life and winemaking Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse. Birdhorse is grounded in the principle that terroir expression goes beyond a small subset of internationally recognized varieties. We seek to celebrate the uncelebrated by producing classic and expressive wines from regions and varieties that have not yet had their moment-in-the-sun within the cultural zeitgeist of California winemaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1714511912482-24JOZY49XONGRLBEG5KR/EMV-Headshot+-+Emily+Virgil.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Emily Virgil | Trail Marker Wine & Kid Sister trailmarkerwineco.com Emily V. had the idea to start Trail Marker based largely on a dare. The dare that one could make (& SELL!) an "old-world", minimal intervention, low alcohol California Chardonnay from high elevation vineyards in the Mendocino and Santa Cruz Mountains. 13 years later, Emily and her partner, Drew Huffine work with a dozen different vineyards from Santa Cruz to Lodi to make the best, terroir-driven wines possible. In addition to Trail Marker/ Kid Sister, Emily has worked with other great California wineries like LIOCO and Bluxome to help develop their sales & marketing efforts. She has an MBA from UCLA focused on sustainability and global management and also consults for high-growth, social-good companies to help improve strategy, culture and organizational design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1715206256493-JPI5PE8JSF434CHB2F1D/Unknown.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Helen Keplinger | Keplinger Wines keplingerwines.com Food and wine has been an integral part of my identity since childhood. That, along with a passion for the arts and sciences, brought me to winemaking. Once completing the MS program in Enology at UC Davis, I apprenticed under Heidi Barrett and others, before moving to Spain to make wine in the Priorat. The Priorat has been foundational in my philosophy of terroir and its imprint on artisanal wine. I have been fortunate to hone the craft of winemaking over many years and my tenure has now brought me to me own labels, Keplinger and Vermillion, along currently, with the incredible wines of Grace Family Vineyards, Carte Blanche and Kerr Cellars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712883953860-W2ET5EPRJXZ1GQAI8SYE/AnaKeller_FacesofTourism+-+Frieda+Guercio.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Jacqueline Yoakum | Keller Estate kellerestate.com Jacqueline Yoakum has worked in wineries all across the United States since 1998. After completing her Master’s at UC Davis in 2004, she worked as research enologist for Warren Winiarski at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars while completing her graduate thesis, and then was hired by Ted Lemon at Littorai Wines, who became her mentor in native fermentations, biodynamic farming and winemaking. She consulted with Keller Estate while making her own wine, but has finally joined the Keller Estate team as full-time winemaker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713323445015-7VY2ALIV3Z0TTTME7Z7J/Copy+of+TDAVIS_UneFemme172+-+Whitney+Wright.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Jen Pelka | Une Femme Wines unefemmewines.com Jen’s 20+ year career working in food, hospitality, and marketing coupled with her passion to support women in the wine industry and beyond fueled the founding of Une Femme Wines, the fastest growing sparkling wine company in the country dedicated to crafting premium, women-made sparkling wines. Jen was previously the CEO and founder of Magnum PR and co-founder of the beloved The Riddler Champagne bars in NYC and SF. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713977723487-YU8QWTMA9N97GVZ84XOY/Jenn+Barak.png 2024 Forum - Tasting - Jenn Barak | Martis Jenn pursued her passion by studying Viticulture and Enology at California State University, Fresno. While there, she seized the opportunity to study abroad in London, which she eagerly followed with a winery internship in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Her career choice solidified, she went on to first earn her Bachelor’s degree in Enology, then a Master’s with Distinction in Viticulture and Enology from Fresno State. Returning to her beloved Sonoma County, Jenn began her career as a Harvest Intern for Ridge Vineyards. From there, her passion for winemaking only intensified. She took on increasing responsibilities across several different wineries, including Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve, MacMurray Estate Winery and Louis M. Martini Winery, the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon producer where she was named Associate Winemaker in 2018. Martis is Jenn’s passion project, an expression of her love for her home and its distinctive terroir. “Martis has been such an exciting opportunity, it’s really born from my long history of working with the fruit from Barrelli Creek Vineyard,” she says, noting her childhood vacations overlooking the site. “Getting to pull the best fruit from this world-class vineyard and put my own winemaking spin and voice on it has been one of the highlights in my career.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695231213-ERFDZ9WABQNH2748WZ8U/JK+Headshot+-+Jessica+Koga.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Jessica Koga | Schramsberg Vineyards schramsberg.com It only took one internship at Schramsberg Vineyards for Jessica Koga to confirm that the wine industry where she wanted to be. She completed her degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis before returning for a second internship at Schramsberg Vineyards which then led to a full-time Enologist position. Three years later, she gave into a bit of wanderlust and went to work harvests in the Marlborough region of New Zealand and the North Fork of Long Island in New York. After that, she held positions at Gundlach-Bundschu Winery in Sonoma and Vineyard 29 in St. Helena. In 2015 Jessica rejoined Schramsberg’s team as Associate Winemaker for Davies Vineyards, their sister winery specialized in producing site-specific expressions of Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Most recently, Jessica has been tasked with continuing the legacy of crafting extraordinary sparkling wines from vineyards throughout the North Coast of California as the Winemaker for Schramsberg Vineyards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712884204904-IC2DNCO4NM10QCP6H6IG/Julie+at+door+-+Julie+Johnson.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Julie Johnson | Tres Sabores Winery tressabores.com Julie Johnson is the winemaker and owner of Tres Sabores, a winery nestled into the western Rutherford bench land of the Napa Valley. Passionate about food, wine, and the land, for the last 30 years Julie has lived on a certified organic farm, growing wine grapes, pomegranates, lemons and olives, raising her children not to mention Golden Retrievers, Guinea Hens, and sheep. There will be plenty of entertaining tales and ranch products to share. A native of California, Julie graduated from Columbia as a P.H.N. after receiving a B.A. from Bowdoin College. Relocating to the Napa Valley in 1980, she practiced nursing even as she founded Frog’s Leap Winery (with her first husband, John Williams and partner, Larry Turley) in 1981. In 1990 she joined with Michaela Rodeno, past CEO at St. Supery Winery, and founded “Women for Wine Sense, a vital national organization whose “vision is to support the appreciation for and responsible consumption of wine”. Julie started Tres Sabores in 1999 as a single vineyard estate and soon began making her own wine. She speaks and participates in seminars on the subjects of Women in Wine and Regenerative Farming for a variety of clients and at educational venues around the country. She is currently active in Napa Green, C.C.O.F (California Certified Organic Farms), Wild Farm Alliance and the Rutherford Dust Society. At the end of the day, she sleeps best if she feels that she has been a thoughtful and energetic steward of the land and has capped off the day with a good glass of wine! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713821329408-ZPSD850X4AQYN4L519DT/5small+-+Jaime+Araujo.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Jaime Araujo | Trois Noix troisnoixwine.com Jaime’s family has been making world-class wines in Napa Valley for over 25 years and for most of those years, Jaime was actually living abroad in Europe. Upon returning to Napa Valley to become a vintner, Jaime wanted to create a wine that would reflect her personal journey, and what she loved most about wine: the people and the sense of community. The name “Trois Noix,” which means “Three Nuts,” is an homage to our founder’s love of France and her commitment to using wine as a catalyst for social change. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695232056-LHG44NIF8QGQQMV34ILO/Mid_Size_JPG-Markham-RockerBox-Vineyard-Winemaker-Kimberlee-Nicholls-Staff-Photo-DawnHeumann345+-+TEXTBOOK+Napa+Valley.JPG 2024 Forum - Tasting - Kimberlee Nicholls | Markham Napa Valley Vineyards markhamvineyards.com With three decades of experience and an unwavering passion for Merlot, Kimberlee Nicholls has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers. She is known for crafting wines of character and complexity from Markham’s 260 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards and land. Kimberlee earned a degree in biology before entering the wine industry and ultimately joining the Markham Vineyards team in 1993. In 2023, Kimberlee celebrated her 30th anniversary at Markham. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713994723154-HQTXFOJZI5MZ95CKO8B0/Vogt+1.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Katie Vogt | Pahlmeyer Winemaker A graduate of Cal Poly SLO, Katie’s career started with in internship in 2008 making zinfandel and rhones down in Paso Robles. In 2015 she made the move up to Napa with the goal of spending a few years learning more about Cabernet farming and production then returning back to Paso Robles - but she never left. She joined the Pahlmeyer team in 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695229164-68M7E32QWY384T5SOVGC/IMG_0899+-+Kira+Ballotta.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Kira Ballotta | Olivia Brion & Cantadora Wines oliviabrion.com Kira Ballotta is the owner and winemaker for Olivia Brion and Cantadora wines. Her winery specializes in organically farmed fine wine that features the stories of trailblazing women from history (Olivia Brion) and today (Cantadora). Her career in wine began in 2010 when she got the opportunity to value several wineries in her career in Investment Banking. After a brief stint in Business Analytics at Constellation, she moved into wine production full time in 2013. She worked in the lab, cellar and vineyard across multiple properties in Napa and Australia before landing her full-time job with Alpha Omega in 2015. She worked her way up from Production Assistant to Enology Research Manager, coordinating all winemaking trails, many of which were under the umbrella of tannin analysis. In 2016 she began making her own commercial wine under the Olivia Brion label. In 2019 the founder of Olivia Brion retired and she assumed all winemaking and financial interests. In 2021 she launched Cantadora wines to incorporate women today, who inspire her, into her wine project. In January she was honored by Imbibe Magazine as an Imbibe 75 for the people who will shape Food & Drinks in 2024. Wine Business Monthly awarded Cantadora their “Hot Brand” honor for 2024. Kira resides in Napa with her husband and two little boys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713324475161-DYJQUTN2LG1WJRGK1IYS/Chimney.Rock.May.2022.+Laura+1+-+Laura+Orozco.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Laura Orozco | Chimney Rock Winery chimneyrock.com After graduating from The University of California at Santa Cruz with a Molecular Biology degree, she returned to Napa to prepare for the MCAT. While staying focused on her studies, she obtained a harvest-season lab assistant position at Franciscan Estate Winery. She was immediately intrigued by the complexity of winemaking. After harvest, Laura’s seasonal position turned into a full-time job. That promotion marked the end of her medical school path and the beginning of her wine career. After 6 years at Franciscan Estate, Laura moved on to become oenologist at V. Sattui Winery and was ultimately promoted to winemaker. Over the course of her career, Laura has gained deep experience across 15 plus varietals and genuinely loves the varied dynamics of winemaking. In 2015, Laura joined the team at Chimney Rock Winery as Assistant Winemaker. Today, Laura works alongside General Manager and Winemaker Elizabeth Vianna crafting the winery’s signature Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Laura fell in love with Chimney Rock 10 years earlier – her husband was a cellar worker at the winery. When the opportunity came to join the team, she immediately jumped in. Her time at Chimney Rock gave her a love and passion for Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2022, due to her hard work and sheer talent, she was promoted to Winemaker for Terlato’s newest wine Brand, Paso-D’Oro where she crafts beautiful Cabernet hailing from the Estrella, San Juan Creek & Paso Robles Highlands districts toward the east side of the Paso Robles AVA. Coming full circle, Laura’s original dislike of agriculture is now one of the elements she most enjoys. Working in the vineyard has become a pleasure and an honor. In her spare time, Laura is a committed runner and recently qualified for the Boston Marathon. When she’s not pounding the pavement, Laura stays very busy with her two daughters and husband, enjoying the beautiful Napa Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695227653-GC8QTMJBKEZ12Q5ONU6T/Brodgesell_EmeritusVineyard_147+-+Emeritus+Vineyards.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Mari Jones | Emeritus Vineyards emeritusvineyards.com As president, Mari Jones oversees all aspects of Emeritus Vineyards, working with the support and guidance of her father, Brice Cutrer Jones. Mari grew up playing, camping, working, and even learning to drive on the Sonoma–Cutrer Estate. At the age of 12, Mari took her first trip to Burgundy with her father to buy barrels. While watching barrels being made by master craftspeople and exploring centuries-old cellars, Mari fell in love with wine and Pinot Noir in particular. In 2012, Mari joined the Emeritus team to launch a direct-to-consumer program. Mari oversaw the design and construction of the Emeritus tasting room, while also founding the E-Club. She quickly became her father’s right-hand woman becoming the COO just a few years later. In 2019 Brice (literally) passed the baton to Mari as he began his retirement. Mari approaches her role helping to run Emeritus with a long-term vision. “I want Emeritus to outlive me. This means that it needs to be sustainable in every sense, from the way we care for our land, making sure that our employees have healthy families, and always making the very best wine possible. These things aren’t separate from what goes into the bottle; they are essential.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713821430989-B2CQ4XESI03OWJTF176B/IMG_4085+-+Imane+Hanine.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Martha Stoumen | Martha Stoumen Wines marthastoumen.com Martha Stoumen Wines was founded in Sonoma County, CA in 2014 with the goal of recapturing a farming and winemaking culture that has all but faded away: a winemaking culture of patience. After 8 years apprenticing with minimal-intervention winegrowers around the world, Martha set out as a self-funded, first generation winemaker to answer the question, “What does California taste like when we challenge the norm?” Our wines offer new takes on Northern Californian classics. 98% of our vineyards are either certified organic or practicing organic or biodynamic farming, with over 70% being dry farmed (meaning we only use the water nature provides). Martha is part of the 5% of women in the CA wine industry that are owners and lead winemakers. She is proud of her stellar female-led team as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1714512087113-E8AJD1OGGM6KARH865GL/1687411527170.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Marta Echávarri Abascal | Artesa Vineyards & Winery artesawinery.com From Spain, Marta has lived in California since September 2022 and joined Artesa’s team in October 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713810355132-K6V7VGML2LVITDMLCDNU/Lowells_RYME_Natalie-1526+-+Megan+Glaab.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Megan Glaab | RYME rymecellars.com Megan Glaab learned the great joy of hard work in the pursuit of passion from her parents. She began her career in the food and wine community as a young teenager at their restaurant Passionfish in Pacific Grove, CA. After high school, Megan spent four years in Adelaide, Australia working on her Bachelors Degree in Enology and Viticulture. Megan and Ryan met in Australia while working as seasonal harvest hands at Torbreck winery. They quickly fell in love, got married. They eventually settled in Sonoma county where Megan worked at Peay Vineyards, Pisoni and Marcassin, before starting Ryme in 2007. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695233416-DEW0BT4GYIIV05BE4CLP/Natalie+Bath+-+Rudd+Estate.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Natalie Bath | Rudd Estate ruddwines.com A native Californian who grew up in St. Helena, Natalie Bath came back to the Napa Valley after graduating college with the intention of applying to law school. However, she fell back in love with the beauty of the Napa Valley and gained a new appreciation for wine while working at Angèle restaurant and set about to explore if winemaking was the right path for her. Natalie completed her first harvest with an internship at Etude in 2010, embracing the long hours, manual labor, and comradery that comes with harvest. She then spent the first part of the 2011 vintage in the Southern Hemisphere at Villa Maria in New Zealand, and the second part of 2011 at Littorai in Sebastopol, getting her first experience with biodynamics working under Ted Lemon. Not knowing where to go next and determined to make winemaking her career, a conversation with longtime friend Samantha Rudd turned into an opportunity to work harvest at Rudd Estate in 2012, and she has worked her way up the ladder ever since. “It was like finally coming home — I grew up playing in the vineyards and running around the estate as a kid with Samantha. Being here just felt right.” In 2014, Natalie joined the Winemaking team fulltime as a cellar hand and became the oenologist in 2016. An opportunity of a lifetime presented itself, allowing Natalie to travel overseas to work harvest at Château Pétrus in 2016. Coming back from her travels refreshed and rejuvenated, Natalie became the Assistant Winemaker in 2017 at Rudd Estate, and the following year the Lead Winemaker for Crossroads. After nearly a decade influencing the wines both in the cellar and in the vineyards by innovating the white wine program, helping the vineyard team integrate biodynamics into our organic farming practices, refining our wine analysis program, launching our companion Crossroads label, blending 8 vintages of Rudd wines, and creating our first vintage of sparkling wine, Natalie became Winemaker of Rudd Estate in 2021, a plan that had been many years in the making. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695234353-MY4PMITH074NWQ6N0YTN/Raemy+Paterson+Headshot+-+Raemy+Paterson.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Raemy Paterson | Martin Ray Winery martinraywinery.com Raemy Paterson's early passion for travel and exploration naturally led her to develop a love for wine. After obtaining her BS in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, Raemy gained international winemaking experience by working harvests in Bordeaux, Provence, and the Barossa Valley before settling in the Russian River Valley. Her winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the vineyards to express themselves fully in her crafted wines. Most recently, she graduated with an MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University in May 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1714603691018-X9PMJ1FDEV66MIPTO1N1/sara.png 2024 Forum - Tasting - Sara Morgenstern | Little Trouble Wine Co littletroublewines.com Sara’s journey has taken her from lab technician to wine director, national sales broker to winemaker. She has made or sold wine in California, New York, Florida and New Zealand. Sara became enamored with low intervention wines when she first started working as a wine buyer in San Francisco 10 years ago. Growing up with a park ranger mom, environmental issues were always important and tied in directly with her passions in the wine industry. Her goal with Little Trouble is to express fun and transparent expressions of the fantastic vineyards LT works with, while getting in the way of nature as little as possible. In addition to Little Trouble Wine Company, she is currently the Director of Operations for Ruth Lewandowski Wines in Healdsburg, CA. Our philosophy on the wines at Little Trouble Wine Co is a simple one, inspired by countless producers who have come before us; Make quaffable wines inspired by the heritage of California that reflect not only the importance of the special vineyards we are lucky to be working with, but the incredible folks farming and tending to those sites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713323445832-1RRTUYWBT2L5UL1ZHMKA/sarahhoffman_cofoundermaker+-+Sarah+Hoffman.jpg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Sarah Hoffman | Maker Wine makerwine.com Sarah is CEO of Maker Wine, a premium canned wine company that works with diverse producers. Sarah is the guiding force behind Maker’s mission—to make fine wine more approachable and to lift up independent producers. Sarah is the storyteller, the dreamer, and the ideas gal that brings Maker’s wines and stories to life online. Maker has worked with 20+ independent producers on canning projects, and 80%+ of the winemakers that they work with are women. Before Maker, Sarah’s expertise was in scaling high growth start-ups. At her day job she managed user acquisition at companies from inception through IPO, most recently in-house at Eventbrite and on the agency side at Right Side Up, a growth marketing consultancy. In her personal life, Sarah’s passionate about creating connection through food and beverage. As an avid homebrewer she started a beer pairing supperclub business, and spent a year traveling the world as a craft beverage writer. These experiences inspired her to want to create a business that celebrates independent wineries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713323444819-Y3EF5KLJ5PQIX6V57OPM/Elizabeth_Spencer_by_Alexander_Rubin_0294-sm+-+Kelly+Hyatt.png 2024 Forum - Tasting - Sarah Vandendriessche | Elizabeth Spencer elizabethspencerwinery.com Winemaker at Elizabeth Spencer for more than 12 years, Sarah guides the daily and seasonal facets of viticulture and winemaking. Hailing from New Orleans, her cultural tapestry is woven with threads of food, music, and wine. Rooted in macrobiology, Sarah brings a holistic perspective to winemaking, leaving a lasting impact. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713821639544-OWVH6GD352YM12C08U9H/Shilah+Salmon+-+SVP+JFW+-+Andrew+Pimentel.png 2024 Forum - Tasting - Shilah Salmon | Jackson Family Wines Matanzascreek.com Coming full circle, Laura’s original dislike of agriculture is now one of the elements she most enjoys. Working in the vineyard has become a pleasure and an honor. In her spare time, Laura is a committed runner and recently qualified for the Boston Marathon. When she’s not pounding the pavement, Laura stays very busy with her two daughters and husband, enjoying the beautiful Napa Valley. Shilah is a wine industry executive based in the Napa Valley. She’s been in the global wine industry for almost 20 years weaving together her interests in wine, marketing, international business, and leadership. She graduated from college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where she studied Psychology and Women’s Studies, and then completed a business program at UC Berkeley. For five years, based out of San Francisco, Shilah managed the Constellation (NYSE: STZ) portfolio of US wineries internationally, and in 2010 Shilah became the Global Brand Manager for Robert Mondavi. In 2011, Shilah began to work for the Jackson Family and then led the full luxury department of Jackson Family Wines, the Spire Collection. In 2018 Shilah became the SVP of Marketing at Jackson Family Wines managing their Santa Barbara wineries, and now covers Cambria, Brewer-Clifton, Diatom, La Crema, Murphy-Goode, Siduri, Carmel Road, Matanzas Creek. She is very active at home in her Napa Valley community with organizations such as the Napa Valley Vintners, The Children’s Museum and Auction Napa Valley. Shilah is also on the board of the Somm Foundation – a trade organization focused on education, diversity and scholarships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1712695230122-E2QLX71EXN74CDX9TAUA/IMG_9837+-+Shalini+Sekhar.jpeg 2024 Forum - Tasting - Shalini Sekhar | Ottavino Wines ottavinowines.com A former musician, Shalini turned from her Master’s Degree in Flute and Piccolo Performance to a career in wine. After completing her studies at Fresno State University in Enology and Viticulture, she began her journey into winemaking marrying the same combination of art and science that fueled her passion in music. After years of making critically acclaimed wines for boutique producers, Shalini launched her own small brand, Ottavino. Ottavino serves as her exploration of less common varieties and winemaking in California, beginning with Grüner Veltliner in 2020. Shalini was included in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2019 Winemakers to Watch. In 2015 she was awarded Winemaker of the Year at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Today in addition to Ottavino, she continues to be the winemaker for Waits-Mast, Neely, and Xander Soren Wines. When Shalini is not at a winery or in the vineyards, she is busy studying for her WSET Diploma and traveling with husband and their two young children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1713977795104-JCMW7WS8RA338XXRR3GY/HC_JVW_VictoriaGaeta_0563+%281%29.png 2024 Forum - Tasting - Victoria Gaeta | J Vineyards and Winery Victoria Gaeta joined J Vineyards & Winery as Associate Winemaker in 2018, helping craft a diverse, world-class portfolio of Traditional Method sparkling wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. “One of the things I enjoy so much about wine is its sense of place and vintage,” says Victoria. “With J, we have an exceptional collection of estate vineyards that allow us to deepen that connection every vintage.” Born and raised in California’s Central Valley, Victoria grew up surrounded by a rich agricultural landscape. She graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with a degree in Biological Science, and soon began a research enology internship with E. & J. Gallo Winery. After earning her Winemaking Certificate from the University of California at Davis, she honed her skills as an Assistant Winemaker for Gallo across both the Central Valley and Sonoma County. Victoria’s winemaking philosophy blends her love of travel and taste with the artistry of the craft and its deep relationship to place. “As you travel the world, you witness how deeply wine is intertwined with local culture — how it influences and is influenced by a region’s foods, daily life and traditions,” Victoria says. “Through winemaking, I’m able to help bridge that connection between place, cuisine and culture.” Today, Victoria lives in Sonoma County with her husband and family, raising two young children to explore the world in search of great flavor and enriching experiences. https://www.batonnageforum.com/mc-2024-l2 daily 0.75 2024-06-30 https://www.batonnageforum.com/home daily 1.0 2025-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1707788484271-WFKKXQWK8DBOUODFXXYF/SAVE+THE+DATE+May+9th+%287+x+5+in%29.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1635097127792-BO1OB4HHR7138V76T8UD/EmmaKMorris-09734.png Home photo credit: Emma K. Morris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1557696114153-LJ8J1HKTJ6Q00B6SV22A/bat24.jpg Home photo credit: Emma K. Morris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1609785447960-CN8QHYVSGQNO2M83Z1WN/PhotoEmmaKMorris-09887.jpg Home photo credit: Emma K. 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she taught wine production, the biology of yeast, and graduate courses in genetics since 1985 and served as Chair of the department from 1991 to 1996. She co-chairs the Policy and Practices Committee of the ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant to build and sustain a diverse community of innovative (especially women) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholars at UC Davis. She served for several years on the CAP Oversight and Appellate Committees, chairing both. In addition to her academic roles, she was the Science Editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture for 15 years and an editor for other scientific journals as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517945569-EQRVSMRV0P8B7XLSM1I5/shelley+lindgren.jpg 2018 Program - Shelley Lindgren, wine director & co-owner Shelley Lindgren is the Wine Director/Co-Owner at A16, SPQR & A16 Rockridge Restaurants in the Bay Area. Her reputation for seeking out Italian wines made with lesser-known grapes has earned her recognition as a wine pioneer. As a member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier, Lindgren stays involved with San Francisco’s food community. She has taught at the Culinary Institute of America, and is a regular instructor at Tante Marie. Lindgren’s first book, A16 Food + Wine, was awarded Cookbook of the Year and First Book/The Julia Child Award at the prestigious 2009 IACP Cookbook Awards. She has been named Best New Sommelier from Wine & Spirits, Best Wine Director in San Francisco Magazine, has been awarded for Best Wine Service in 2015 by the James Beard Foundation, and has received countless other awards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526518997242-CNWZ3ISEIT39VMHDNBTA/Screen+Shot+2018-05-16+at+10.46.16+AM.png 2018 Program - Megan Glaab, winemaker Megan’s love and enthusiasm for wine led her to the University of Adelaide in Australia, where she obtained a B.S. in Enology. After graduating, Megan continued her winemaking education by working at several wineries, including Torbreck, Peay Vineyards, Marcassin, and Pisoni. She is now the winemaker and co-owner of Ryme Cellars and UPHOLD wines, along with her husband Ryan Glaab. Located in Forestville, CA, they produce Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, and two versions of Vermentino. Megan also started a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir project, Lost and Found Wine, with Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth and the Bartolomei Family of Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant. Megan and Ryan live in Healdsburg and are the proud parents of two children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526518808778-EEVG0E7DUTKTVKX1BAMN/13932952_276792689356586_6597260972047638037_n.jpg 2018 Program - Alvetta Embry, sales representative & account manager Alvetta grew up in Atlanta and graduated with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Georgia Southern University. Over the years, she fell more in love with wine as her knowledge expanded and palate developed. In the fall of 2014, she decided to dedicate her career to the wine business and headed to California to be close to some of the best wine regions in the world. She currently hosts a variety of positions in the industry from wine sales rep to private winery tour guide to sommelier and consultant. She lives in Oakland with her dogs who never let her drink alone! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517930034-22ZBKDOK7Q610PMWDHW8/debbie+zach.png 2018 Program - Debbie Zachareas, retailer & judge Debbie Zachareas is a highly regarded wine expert, international judge, and lecturer. Her passion is on display at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Napa’s Oxbow Wine & Cheese Merchant, where she is both owner and managing partner. Over her career, she has helped shape San Francisco’s wine culture through innovative wine programs, emphasizing small-production and sustainably farmed wines. She has developed wine programs at bacar, Ashbury Market, and EOS. Her expertise has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Food & Wine and Saveur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1528855389219-4IW0GXQLF53O0D9EIYXR/image.png 2018 Program - Debby Zygielbaum, farm & vineyard consultant Debby Zygielbaum is a farm and vineyard consultant with over two decades of experience farming for regenerative organics and biodynamics, with an extensive background in premium organic wine grapes. She’s an experienced shepherd, has managed olive, fruit, and truffle (yes, truffle!) orchards, and designed and installed edible landscapes as well as hedgerows. She’s also a naturalist with a background in California native plants and horticulture. She copyedits and makes websites in her free time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517975240-E8CRMOPAELC650YIBDBQ/OneMarket_020_preview-400x315.jpeg 2018 Program - Tonya Pitts, sommelier & wine director Tonya Pitts has been in the food and beverage industry for over 20 years. Her career in San Francisco began with Chef Judy Rodgers at Zuni Cafe and Chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars Restaurant as a server. After three years, Tonya was running the wine program for Loretta Keller at Bizou Restaurant, where she realized her true passion for wine. Today, she is the Wine Director at San Francisco’s One Market. Tonya has worked in many notable houses in the bay area and has been featured in Wine & Spirits Magazine, Tasting Panel, and numerous news and industry publications. She is also a judge for the San Francisco International Wine Competition and is a tasting panelist for Wine & Spirits Magazine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517908259-VOFHOBG267PALIAZZ1Q4/Nadia-Fleuve.png 2018 Program - Nadia Dmytriw, importer and distributor Nadia is a native San Franciscan who has been working in the wine industry since 2001. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Language Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz and has also completed coursework at the University of Oenology in Bordeaux. Her passion for foreign languages, cultures, teaching, and wine led her to work in various aspects of the wine trade in France and Russia before returning to her native S.F. Bay Area. Nadia worked her up to Managing Partner in her previous company Joli Vin Imports and she spent nearly a decade representing many of the growers with whom she currently works. In 2017 Nadia founded her own company, Floraison Selections, a grower-driven wine importer and distributor representing a select group of hands-on, independent, minimal-interventionist growers who make wine with a true sense of place and origin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517802306-9KYLIM2S9D08N4Y2U8GE/deb-wong.jpg 2018 Program - Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, journalist & presenter Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, is an opinion-leading communicator, journalist and author who specializes in the wine and spirits industries. She is the Global Wine Editor for The Tasting Panel, SOMM Journal and Clever Root magazines; the co-author of “1000 Great Everyday Wines;” and a contributor to industry trade publications including the former Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine, Spirited and Drinks Business which you will find posted to her archive site www.deborahparkerwong.com. In addition to her work as a journalist, Deborah is an adjunct professor in the wine studies program at Santa Rosa Junior College and offers private certification courses as an approved program provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526519445954-M2A0I0OBMJ7K2288U3AT/unnamed-3.jpg 2018 Program - Jill Klein Matthiasson, vintner Jill Klein Matthiasson started making wine with her husband, Steve, in their backyard a month after they started dating. Jill and Steve have since become internationally acclaimed vintners, with their wines being featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Bon Appétit magazine, In-Style, Decanter, Food & Wine, and The Wine Spectator, to name a few. When Jill isn’t managing the family wine business, she is picking and selling fresh fruit from her orchards, preserving the fruits and vegetables that she grows in her garden, and raising her two amazing sons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517957502-I9OC3CWZK1JVKZFY2T8J/molly+madden.jpg 2018 Program - Molly Madden, ceo & founder CEO and Founder of RedHen Collective, Molly Madden is a passionate businesswoman and community organizer with over 10 years experience in wine importing and distribution across the US and abroad. After working to establish an ambitious wine importer in New York, Molly moved to the Bay Area to develop a new business model that embodies feminist values. Over the past three years, she has worked with a talented team of cooperative business advisors and wine industry specialists to launch RedHen Collective and build the foundation for a new wine economy, with a passion for social impact. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526520661346-9LV2SELC5NLDF8AUB7H0/RAfQVcGd_400x400.jpg 2018 Program - Esther Mobley, wine writer Esther Mobley joined The San Francisco Chronicle in 2015 as its wine, beer and spirits writer. Previously she was an assistant editor at Wine Spectator magazine in New York, and before that an intern for Wine Enthusiast magazine. Esther has worked two harvest seasons, at Round Pond Estate in Napa Valley and Bodega Rolland in Mendoza, Argentina, as well as in wine retail and fine dining in her hometown of Boston. She studied English literature at Smith College. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526517652310-PG4KE3A71DOGU3MIP4SI/diana.jpg 2018 Program - Diana Snowden Seysses, winemaker Diana graduated from the Viticulture & Enology program at UC Davis in 2001, then worked in both California and French cellars with Robert Mondavi Winery, Mumm Napa, the Araujo Estate, Château La Fleur de Boüard, Domaine Leflaive and Ramey Wine Cellars. By 2003, Diana had become enologist at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and consultant at Domaine de Triennes in Provence; in 2005 she became winemaker at Snowden Vineyards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1528479610568-0VBBX29QZP3MTHIVSWN3/val+masten.jpg 2018 Program - Valerie Masten Bonné, vice president for national sales Valerie Masten Bonné is the vice president for national sales at Skurnik Wines & Spirits, and one of the country’s foremost authorities on national fine-wine sales. Over the past seven years, she has built a team to sell the critically acclaimed Terry Theise wines in nearly all 50 states, part of an extensive national portfolio that includes everything from top Burgundy to the famed wines of Paul Jaboulet Aîné. That has given her a deep working knowledge of wine sales at every level, from Michelin-starred restaurants to major national retailers and airlines—skills built on her years as a top fine-wine saleswoman in Atlanta during that city’s culinary boom years. She also works with distributor partners to train wine professionals and sommeliers in markets across the country, providing detailed education on topics like grower Champagne and German wine law. She lives in New York City with her husband, Jon, and their cats, Souris and Baby Boo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1526604263389-6VW0VWW5WOQWQMPMAXTM/LoamBaby_Page1sample+%282%29.jpg 2018 Program - R.H. Drexel, writer R.H. Drexel is the pen name for a wine business insider who has worked in nearly every sector of the wine industry for the last 30 years. In 2012, Drexel published the first issue of Loam Baby, her wine culture zine, which garnered favorable reviews from Los Angeles Times, Punch Magazine, Imbibe, Wine & Spirits, Food & Wine and The Wine Spectator, among others, for its irreverent cartoons, in-depth articles, and anachronistic approach to wine journalism. Drexel continues to publish Loam Baby, and is also freelance writer, in addition to being a regular contributor to The Wine Advocate and JebDunnuck.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529693093072-9B1IORO12Q6S4V13E0GK/srussell_photo_Feb2014.jpg 2018 Program - Suzann Russell, managing director Suzann oversees a portfolio of primarily Napa county wineries and vineyards in her role as Managing Director in Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division, providing customized commercial loans and treasury management services for clients ranging from small family operated wineries to larger enterprises producing over 750,000 cases annually. Suzann joined Silicon Valley Bank in 2000 as a credit analyst and worked through the lending ranks to her current role. She spent the first three years of her banking career at SVB’s headquarters in Santa Clara as a commercial lender for software companies, then switched her focus to wine lending and relocated to SVB’s St. Helena office in 2004. Suzann is an active member of the Napa/Sonoma chapter of Women for Winesense. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She lives in Napa with her husband and two young daughters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529693241606-PV1DZ1DCE2AMR0IJ6UQA/IMG_20180622_100956-2.jpg 2018 Program - Dr. Malcolm Hobbs, research associate In 2004 Malcolm gained a PhD in Psychology from the University of Southampton in the UK. Since then he has been engaged in a variety of research projects. In 2015 he joined the UC Cooperative Extension under Viticulture Advisor Monica Cooper and works on projects that include looking at gender diversity, team dynamics, sexual harassment, and job satisfaction in vineyard crews. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529771245186-IV45TVS8POOPX5DZ7SJU/Jena-Domingue-VP-Sales-WineDirect.jpg 2018 Program - Jena Domingue, vice president of global sales A San Francisco Bay Area native with over 20 years’ experience in sales, Jena Domingue leads the sales team of WineDirect, which helps wineries sell directly to consumers in the way that works best for them, providing clients with end-to-end sales solutions—from e-commerce to fulfillment—as well as educational materials designed to help them grow. With a passion for wine, especially sparkling, Jena brings best practices to direct-to-consumer sales. Jena loves sports and was a professional cheerleader for Oakland Raiders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1529890513347-39X79WYM0J7UIQEOPWU9/CathyHtighter.jpg 2018 Program - Cathy Huyghe, journalist and CEO Cathy Huyghe is the co-founder and CEO of Enolytics, a big data company for the wine industry, whose clients include Frescobaldi, Champagne Bollinger and Freixenet USA. She is a journalist for Forbes (on wine) and Inc (on entrepreneurship), and author of the award-winning book, Hungry for Wine: Seeing the World through the Lens of a Wine Glass. In addition, she co-authors the 30-day practice and weekly newsletters at A Balanced Glass, founded by Rebecca Hopkins, which creates awareness around healthy balance for professionals in the beverage alcohol industry. She is also the founder of Harvard Alumni in Wine and Food. Her current areas of interest are women in wine, compassion, and the challenges women face particularly around confidence and financial abundance. https://www.batonnageforum.com/news daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://www.batonnageforum.com/2018-forum daily 0.75 2021-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1547502383975-AE93QQEF8QIZ7KMVCY8E/inaugural-batonnage-forum-2018.jpg 2018 Forum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1610067719704-Y455XEXNOLFA0IXTILTU/image.jpg 2018 Forum https://www.batonnageforum.com/agenda daily 0.75 2019-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1557866408637-T56ED6LM37XJDWYN6B6X/bat69.jpg Agenda for the Day https://www.batonnageforum.com/2019-panelists daily 0.75 2020-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1547858135230-LG179XV9W3HI45LBHD47/Jen_fall_18-16.JPG 2019 Panelists Jennifer Reichardt was born and raised in Sonoma County, California and has lived a life centered in food production. In autumn 2011, she completed her first harvest in Sonoma County and launched her own brand in 2016, Raft Wines. A raft, by definition, is a community of waterfowl, like ducks, and the philosophy behind the brand is to craft a wine that is shared with a community – whether it be around a dinner table, or at a picnic with friends. Raft Wines focuses on hand-crafted, small lot wines from vineyards farmed sustainably and organically. She currently splits her time between the family businesses, Sonoma County Poultry and Liberty Ducks, and Raft Wines. raftwines.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1550548244627-UI9V5JZ76ETV9DVS0QOE/bio.jpg 2019 Panelists Dr. Akilah Cadet, MPH has 15+ years in management and building successful projects, teams, and leaders. She has worked various multimillion-dollar projects ranging from health to education. Dr. Cadet is the founder of Change Cadet, an Oakland based organizational development consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Change Cadet aims to support women, people of color, and underserved communities, through coaching, strategy, innovation, and organizational change. Cadet is a French term that means soldier and Change Cadet prepares soldiers of change to overcome barriers in the workforce so there can be more opportunity for women and people of color. As a woman of color, she uses her personal and professional experiences as well as a touch of Beyoncé to inspire her work. Dr. Cadet holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education in Community Based Public Health, a Master of Public Health, and a Doctorate of Health Sciences in Leadership and Organizational Behavior. changecadet.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1552313498004-3QP9VAKU4XEYKH7LMGUF/Jehan.jpg 2019 Panelists Travel is written into Jehan's DNA. He’s a first generation American who after having grown up on both coasts moved to Argentina where he was first exposed to the world of wine. He worked his first harvest in Calchaqui valley near Salta at 15. Upon his return to the U.S., Jehan got his start at a small Spanish and Portuguese retail importer called The Spanish Table in Berkeley, where as a buyer he went through the institution of Iberian wines. This would eventually lead to a professional life on the other side of the table as a broker with a few small California based importers and distributors such as Joli Vin and Blue Danube. In his spare time, Jehan is co-owner of a wine label called Los Chuchaquis out of Aromas, CA. He now does national sales for Bowler Imports. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1548358697266-D56NMYBPI8W11PWNFOJO/Bibiana_Winery.jpg 2019 Panelists Bibiana’s first vintage in California was 2004. She worked six harvests in three years, also traveling to South Africa to work harvests at Soronsberg Cellars in the Tulbagh region. Back in California, she worked at La Crema, Peay Vineyards, Au Bon Climat, and Qupé before Lynmar Estate, where she was winemaker from 2009 through early 2012. In 2012, Bibiana started her own label Cattleya Wines, as well as the Shared Notes joint venture with husband Jeff Pisoni and became a Consultant Winemaker for wineries in Sonoma and Napa Valley. winesbybibiana.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1550768283669-E55ICZ42OER8POJRE1RS/unnamed.jpg 2019 Panelists Erica Duecy is Editor in Chief of SevenFifty Daily. She is an award-winning writer and editor who previously worked as digital director of Saveur and Architectural Digest. She holds the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certification and is working on the Level 4 Diploma. Her book, Storied Sips (Random House), is about the real-life stories behind the world’s most famous cocktails. daily.sevenfifty.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1550527181877-VVCVHR9LD28ETUK1VDTD/Monica+photo2.jpg 2019 Panelists Monica Samuels is the Director of Sake and Spirits for Vine Connections, a portfolio which consists of sakes from 16 artisanal breweries throughout Japan and is curated in collaboration with John Gauntner, the world’s leading non-Japanese sake educator. Monica manages the sales of the Vine Connections sake portfolio through the 50 states of America and several provinces of Canada. Monica has over 10 years of experience in the sake industry, including 6 years as the Sake Ambassador for Southern Wine & Spirits and the Corporate Sake Sommelier for SUSHISAMBA. She has been recognized for her efforts in sales and education in Wine Spectator’s “Sake’s True Believers,” Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Tastemakers Under 40,” and most recently as a recipient of the prestigious “Sake Samurai” recognition in 2017. Monica’s education in sake includes studying under John Gauntner and his Sake Education Council, where she received both Certified and Advanced Sake Professional distinctions; she is also a WSET certified Educator for the Level 3 Award in Sake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1548358731162-G4XVK1G5MBWJRJHMHVIA/vinnyeng2.jpg 2019 Panelists Vinny Eng most recently the Wine Director for Tartine Manufactory in San Francisco, awarded a special jury prize and three star award by World of Fine Wine Magazine and recently named one of Food and Wine Magazine's Sommeliers of the Year in April of 2019 . He has also worked as General Manager/Wine Director of Bar Tartine and General Manager of Tartine Bakery. Vinny is also active in the San Francisco community as an advocate for neurodiversity, mental health, public safety and trauma stewardship. He serves on the Mental Health Working Group for the San Francisco Police Commission and recently served on the Mental Health/Substance Use/HIV AIDS Policy Transition Team for San Francisco Mayor London Breed. He is a graduate of Duke University, where he earned a degree in Economics, and currently works as Organizing Director for the campaign to elect Suzy Loftus for District Attorney of San Francisco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1550541451241-30LFNSD4NTA745Y4YL0A/MMG_2407.jpg 2019 Panelists Born in the Philippines and raised in Texas, June Rodil is the VP of Operations for McGuire Moorman Hospitality (MMH). A Master Sommelier, June is one of 26 women in the Americas to hold this credential. McGuire Moorman is a hospitality powerhouse in Austin, with ten of the most popular and relevant restaurants in town, including her namesake, June’s All Day, which was awarded one of Food & Wine Magazine's Restaurants of the Year in 2017. She is known as a leader in the beverage community and her accolades include: Wine Enthusiast’s Sommelier of the Year 2018; Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 2016; Key Panelist at Women in Wine Leadership Symposium and numerous Food & Wine Festivals across the nation; Food & Wine Magazine's Sommelier of the Year 2014, Wine & Spirits Best New Sommelier 2011, Star Chef's Rising Star Sommelier 2012, and TEXSOM Best Sommelier Winner 2009. In 2017 she launched her private label wine, June's Brut Rosé, with Austrian winemaker Markus Huber, which is poured throughout the MMH group. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1553529636069-51I47EH6MIFV9E5YND3U/unnamed%2B%25283%2529.jpg 2019 Panelists Melissa Sutherland started her wine journey in the 1990s in Washington, D.C., lugging around a battered and stained hand-me-down 3rd edition of Hugh Johnson’s The World Atlas of Wine (pre-Jancis Robinson). Fast forward to the fall of 2018, she returned to NYC full-time, signing on with Panebianco Wines Import as Senior Sales Advisor, representing some of the most classical and territorial-focused small wineries of Italy. She joined the Advisory Board of the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium in 2011. Melissa is the author of the forthcoming book, Drinking Italian Whites: The Time Has Come for Appreciating Italy’s White Wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1550512131361-49RY5BZ0KMX1BHTFNEE2/IMG_0394.JPG 2019 Panelists Laura Judson comes from a strong background in hospitality work. Most recently, she was part of the opening service team at Boot & Shoe Service in Oakland, and she worked as general manager of the restaurant from 2013-2017. The #metoo movement and Laura's experiences galvanized her to spearhead a group of hospitality industry workers engaged in examining restaurants with a critical eye, considering why sexual harassment and assault are ingrained in aspects of the service profession. Her work now centers around evaluating how survivors, stakeholders, colleagues and the public can work together to create and ensure safe work places in the food and beverage industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1550507591328-ZFBEGRJXB7XVZO7FVLBS/1610-ACME_Karen-16_B_W_Web.jpg 2019 Panelists Karen Williams is the proprietor of Acme Fine Wines, a truly inimitable wine shop and gallery-style wine showroom, off the beaten path and down a country lane in St. Helena. Specializing in discovering and launching the finest of the inaugural release, Napa Valley brands while keeping a secondary focus on the lauded wines of the world. And, showcasing the principles of excellent customer service, clients and wine club members receive access to these micro-production wines, often on an exclusive basis, in the very first vintage and then on an allocation level for each vintage thereafter; it is like being on multiple preferred mailing lists, managed entirely by ACME. acmefinewines.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1552745774598-BSNKLBTTO3MCLW3EHLNU/Hopkins+headshot+HZ++1.jpg 2019 Panelists Rebecca Hopkins is an experienced wine communications strategist, speaker, moderator, host and writer. Raised in the premium wine region of McLaren Vale, South Australia, and a graduate of wine business from the University of Adelaide, Rebecca spent 15 years in the Australian wine industry in sales, marketing, distribution and communication roles before relocating to San Francisco in 2007 with Constellation Brands as Vice President of Public Relations and National Events. She returned to family winemaking in 2012, joining national importer Folio Fine Wine Partners, owned by the Michael Mondavi Family. With a 26-year career in the wine business, Rebecca founded and launched A Balanced Glass in 2018 with a mission to provide education and resources to industry colleagues to help maintain health and wellbeing while working in the beverage alcohol industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af37e4ca9e028636a580477/1553694728834-YP94CXSN8D8VQY0HSP1H/Elaine+Brown 2019 Panelists Elaine Chukan Brown serves as the American Specialist for JancisRobinson.com, and as contributing writer to Wine & Spirits Magazine. She contributed to the upcoming 8th edition of the World Atlas of Wine, as well as the recent award-winning 4th edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine. In 2019, the Wine Industry Network named Brown one of the 9 Most Inspiring People in Wine, and the International Wine & Spirits Competition shortlisted her as one of 5 of the top Wine Communicators of the Year in the world. Her writing has been featured in Decanter, World of Fine Wine, and others, and recommended by Food & Wine, Imbibe, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and more. 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