Meet Maggie Tillman: Co-Owner of Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
"Creating a tangible product that comes from the earth, and doing that alongside my dad, has been a dream I never knew I had."
Meet Ann Noble: Chemist & Creator of The Aroma Wheel
Meet the chemist who created the framework and terminology used to describe wine by all consumers, students, and professionals today.
Meet Lalou Bize-Leroy: The "Queen of Burgundy" and Founder of Domaine Leroy
Known as the "Queen of Burgundy," Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy created some of the most sought after wineries in the world and ushered in an era of biodynamic farming.
Meet Sheree Thornsberry: Cofounder and Owner of Innumero Wines
"People often romanticize being in the wine business and admittedly, we had some of that going on. You learn very quickly that this is a hard business."
Meet Lola Llamas: Co-Founder of Llamas Family Wines and Las del Vino
"The wine business isn't just a business, it's our lifestyle; we live and breathe it every day. It's what connects us to other people."
Meet Mandy Martinez: Western Region Sales Manager at Whitehall Lane Winery
"I have fallen in love with Whitehall Lane and telling the story of one brand and family. Reaching the consumer on that level, where I feel more personally connected, has been exactly what I was seeking for my career."
Meet Marisa Meckstroth: Hospitality Director at Wren Hop Vineyards
"Being a part of that process makes you realize that this liquid we drink for our leisure has intention and hard work behind it. I had my hands on the grapes in your glass, I put work into that bottle of wine."
Meet Hannah Weinberger: California's First Female Winemaker
Meet the wine pioneer whose winemaking story began with the vengeful murder of her husband.
Meet Christina Lopez: Winemaker at Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards
"There are thousands of different grape varieties out there to only be confined to only a handful. I’d say keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to explore outside your comfort zone. "
Meet Heather Griffin: Partner at Summit Lake Vineyard & Winery
"There is something magical and grounding when you grow things...Everyone has space to grow something."
Meet Jessica Marie Taylor: Head Sommelier and Assistant General Manager at Maude
"The perks of running the wine program also include distributors inviting me to tastings. I have the opportunity to learn about and taste some premiere wines from around the world."
Meet Heidi Mulholland: Certified Wine Educator
"Wine is a reflection of the time and place where the grapes were grown, the circumstances of the winemaker, and a bunch of other factors that get frozen in time when that bottle is corked."
Meet Kira Ballotta: Winemaker & Owner of Olivia Brion Wines and Cantadora
"We need to focus on educating the consumer about organic production methods so they can push their retailers, who push their distributors, who then push the wineries and vineyards to grow grapes without Round-Up or harsh pesticide chemicals."
Meet Alex Young: Assistant Winemaker at Judd's Hill and Panoramic Wines
"I don’t think I ever would have connected how much wine truly comes from the vineyard until I saw grapes come in with part of the vineyard on them; including ants, dust, grape leaves, etc."
Meet Ashlee Cuneo: Sommelier and General Manager at Miraflores Winery
"Before I take that first sip of a wine that I am tasting for the first time, a little feeling of excitement always comes across me that I don’t think will ever go away."
Meet Steph Waters: Sommelier and Wine Bar Tasting Consultant
"I would visit wine regions throughout the United States and never came across someone that looked like me – a Black Woman in the wine industry."
Meet Katie, aka @WinesThatSlam
"At the end of the day, wine is beautiful and at its core pretty simple, but it's the people and the places and the earth that enable us to have this beautiful, beautiful juice from the land."
Meet Janie Willheim: Paso Robles Winemaker
"For the sake of the wine industry and humanity itself, it's time for all business owners to step up if they haven't already and do whatever they can to find sustainable solutions."
Meet sommelier Reilly Hughes
"We’re not just closing the gender-gap, but adding our own take on a market that has been mostly dominated by male tastes and sensibilities."
Meet Shannon Coulson Jörgenfelt: Senior Marketing Manager at Vivino
"Democratizing wine is really important. Try wine from all over, talk to people about their wine."