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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.