Jason is the Viticulturist for Figgins Family Wine Estates in Walla Walla, Washington. Jason learned his love of farming while helping on the family farm growing row crops and working in a winery during the winter months. He began his career working in Vineyards after graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Horticulture. While working in the viticulture department at Chateau Ste. Michelle he was offered a position managing vineyards for the Figgins Family where he has been for 22 years. FFWE has vineyards in both the Walla Walla Valley as well as the Willamette Valley.
Symposium Archive
Symposium Schedule
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Presentations
Adapting to a Changing Climate: Tools and Resources to Increase Vineyard Resilience and Reduce Vineyard Carbon Footprints
Steve McIntyre, Monterey Pacific, California

Allison Jordan
Allison serves as Vice President, Environmental Affairs for Wine Institute, an advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, promotion and enjoyment of wine. She joined Wine Institute in 2003, shortly after the publication of the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, and helped create the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, a nonprofit organization established by the Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to promote sustainability from grapes to glass.
Allison has served as Executive Director of the Alliance since 2007, leading the organization’s education, certification and communications programs. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy at University of California Berkeley, a B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College, and a WSET Level 2 certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. After earning a Certificate in Wine Business Management from Sonoma State University, she now teaches a sustainability course for the school’s Global Executive Wine MBA program. In addition, Allison is a board member for the National Grape Research Alliance, a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco Bay Area chapter, and an alumna of the German Marshall Fund’s Marshall Memorial Fellowship.

John Heckman
Dr. John Heckman is a sustainability expert with more than 25 years of experience in balancing business priorities with societal concerns such as climate change. Dr. Heckman has supported the Wine Industry in several capacities, including supporting the development of the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing program as well as the California Wine Carbon Footprint. He is currently working with CSWA and members of the industry to develop a Climate Smart Toolkit as part of a CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant.

Nick Filice
Nick Filice
Grape Supply Manager
Silver Oak, Twomey and Timeless Napa Valley
For nearly 17 years, Nick Filice has helped the family of Silver Oak achieve the highest quality of fruit for its wines. The graduate from Chico State received his B.S. in Agricultural Sciences before managing grower relations for Justin Winery in Paso Robles.
When not on the road between vineyards, the San Rafael native enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Steve McIntyre
In 1982 Steve McIntyre received his master’s degree in enology from California State University, Fresno. In 1982 he and his wife Kimberly moved to Carmel Valley, California to develop Galante Vineyards and Winery. In late 1983 Steve took a position with Smith & Hook Winery in Soledad, Calif. as an Assistant Winemaker, later returning to his agrarian roots to become viticulturist in 1985.
In 1992 Steve and Kimberly founded Monterey Pacific, Inc., a viticulture management and development company, which rapidly grew from 432 acres to become the third largest vineyard management company in the U.S. at over 20,000 acres.
In 2002, along with partners Mike Filice and Eric Laumann, Steve cofounded the Monterey Wine Company in King City, California. This12,000-ton state of the art custom wine processing facility developed a reputation for first class customer service and technological prowess. Among its many notable accomplishments, MWC was the first commercial winery in the US to introduce Flash Détente to the wine industry.
Steve and Kim founded McIntyre Vineyards on 1998 to produce small lot, handmade wines from their Estate Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. They have a Tasting Studio in The Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel and Carmel Valley Village and are developing a Hospitality Center at their Estate Vineyard on River Road near Gonzales.
Steve received the Wine Grape Grower of the Year from the California Association of Wine Grape Growers in 2013.
In 2022 Steve and Mayo Ryan established the Sitos Group to produce Biochar from various waste streams using a continuous, slow pyrolysis reactor at ReGen Monterey, the County solid waste facility. This is the first facility in the US to manufacture and sequester Biochar in permanent crops using a patented sequestration process. The certified process produces a high value carbon credit while providing agronomic and atmospheric carbon removal benefits.
Steve is an appointed member and past chairman of the CDFA Pierces Disease Board, Chairman of the Research Screening Committee; a member of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers, a graduate of Class 21 of the California Ag Leadership Program, previously a board member of the Big Sur Land Trust and currently serving as a board member of the Salinas Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Steve and Kim have 3 children and reside in Salinas, California.
Managing Barrels and Oak Adjuncts (includes samples/demos and tasting)
Anne Sery, NW Wine Company, Oregon

Anne Sery
Anne was born and raised in Reunion Island, a tropical French island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. When she was 14, her parents purchased a vineyard in Côte de Nuits. As a teenager, she spent her summer in Burgundy at the family vineyard, and it was there where her affinity for wine first blossomed.
Anne left Reunion after high school to attend college in Dijon where she received her degree in Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. She then completed the master’s program of Viticulture and Oenology of the ENITA of Bordeaux and received her National Diploma of Enology from the University of Bordeaux. During her years in school, Anne would return to Burgundy for internships with well esteemed Pinot Noir producers; Domaine jean-Francois Coche-Dury, Domaine Hubert Lignier, Maison Bouchard Pere & Fils.
After graduating she traveled to the United States to perfect her English and experience another Pinot Noir region of the world. While interning at Beaux Freres, she fell in love with the Willamette Valley and decided that she wanted to stay to start her career. Anne landed the job of assistant winemaker for Soléna Estate, after meeting Owner and Proprietor, Laurent Montalieu. After 2 years at Soléna, Anne joined the team at NW Wine Company as winemaker. She has been there for 13 years.
State of the Industry
Stephen Rannekleiv, Rabobank, New York

Stephen Rannekleiv
Stephen Rannekleiv is the Beverage Sector Strategist in the Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group. Mr. Rannekleiv joined Rabobank in 2006 and now leads the global beverage research team.
As Sector Strategist, Stephen and the global team of beverage analysts research emerging trends and opportunities with the goal of providing actionable ideas to our clients. Recent research themes that the team have tackled include: opportunities in e-commerce, shifting distribution models for alcoholic beverages in Western Europe, blurring of category lines, investment opportunities in out-of-home coffee, innovation in brand-building strategies and more. Stephen is also the host of Liquid Assets, Rabobank’s podcast that shares insights and views on the global beverage industry.
Prior to taking the role of Beverages Sector Strategist, he was a senior beverages analyst at Rabobank for ten years, primarily covering developments in the wine and spirits industry.
State of the Industry
Mike Veseth, The Wine Economist, Washington

Mike Veseth
Mike Veseth (pronounced VEE-seth) is editor of The Wine Economist newsletter (WineEconomist.com) and author of more than a dozen books including Wine Wars (2011), Around the World in Eighty Wines (2018) and Wine Wars II: The Global Battle for the Soup of Wine (2022). He is a sought-after speaker at wine industry meetings both in the United States and around the world.
Veseth’s writings on wine and globalization have been widely praised. Globaloney was selected as a Best Business Book of 2005. Wine Wars was named a Best Wine Book of 2011. The Wine Economist was named Best Wine Blog by Gourmand International in 2015. Money, Taste, and Wine: It’s Complicated received the 2016 Gourmand International award for Best Wine Writing.
A noted educator, Veseth is professor emeritus of International Political Economy at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. In 2010 he was named Washington Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Veseth received the Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Puget Sound and the Master’s and Ph.D degrees in Economics from Purdue University.
Getting off the Hamster Wheel: Whole Farm Profitability
Bill Stokes, Stokes Vineyards, California

Jacylyn Stokes
Jacylyn Stokes is a fourth-generation grape grower and the co-owner of Stokes Vineyards. Passionate about the wine industry, she serves as the Vice-Chair of the Lodi Winegrape Commission and owns her own rosé wine brand while collaborating on various innovative wine projects. Jacylyn actively engages with the agricultural community alongside her father, balancing this with her full-time role as a sales manager for a local winery in Lodi. She earned her MBA in Wine and Spirits Business Management from the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon, France, in 2019 and is a proud graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class 52. In her spare time, Jacylyn enjoys being an amateur tarot reader and astrologist!

Bill Stokes
Bill Stokes is a third-generation grape grower and farmer, proudly co-owning Stokes Brother Farms and Stokes Vineyards. He serves as the President of both the Woodbridge Irrigation Board and Reclamation District 34. With extensive experience in farming over 4,000 acres of wine grapes, almonds, walnuts, and cherries, Bill has made significant contributions to the industry as a past President of the Lodi District Grape Growers Association (LDGGA) and was a founder of a local agricultural community business bank in Lodi. He operates the family farming business alongside his brother at Stokes Farms. Above all, Bill cherishes his role as a part-time farmer and part-time grandfather to his granddaughter, Gigi, and grandson, Will, sharing the joys of agriculture with the next generation.
Maximizing Sales: Harnessing Next-Gen Metrics to Optimize Winery Marketing Strategies
Erica Walter, Email Mavens, Washington

Molly Bossardt
Molly Bossardt is the founder of Bread & Butter Digital Marketing, a boutique agency dedicated to helping wineries navigate the unique landscape of DTC marketing. With a background in direct-to-consumer marketing roles in New York City and a Master’s in luxury markets from Sotheby’s, Molly has honed her expertise in crafting compelling brand narratives. She believes that marketing is more than a tool—it’s a vital lifeline that can redefine a winery’s presence and attract new customers, even in challenging times.
At Bread & Butter, Molly’s approach goes beyond managing ads. She focuses on uncovering the unique essence of each winery and crafting stories that resonate, ensuring brands stand out in a competitive market. Molly to explore how a well-executed strategy can not only meet the moment but rise above it. Connect with Molly to explore how thoughtful marketing strategies can elevate your winery’s presence and drive growth.

Cathy Huyghe
Cathy Huyghe is an entrepreneur, writer and mindfulness proponent. She is the co-founder of Enolytics, a technology-centric disruptor and provider of business analytics solutions for the wine industry. She writes about the business and politics of the wine industry for Forbes, and she also co-creates the content for A Balanced Glass, a community dedicated to wellness in the wine and spirits world. All three of those ventures have been recognized for their innovative contributions. She also founded the Harvard Alumni in Wine and Food (HAWF) Shared Interest Group, and in 2021 Huyghe was named one of the industry’s Most Inspiring People by the Wine Industry Network. In 2022 she was nominated as Innovator of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine, and in 2023 she joined the advisory board for the Harvard Data Science Review. Huyghe’s most recent work involves thought leadership speaking engagements around the world, particularly on the subject of innovation and AI for the wine industry.

Erica Walter
I’m Erica Walter, and email marketing is more than my bread and butter… it is my jam.
I’m deeply passionate about empowering small businesses with tools, resources, and training to send marketing emails that convert. I have over 16 years of experience in winery email marketing; I spent over a decade as the VP of a wine marketing agency before starting my own business, Email Mavens. My favorite thing to do in my role is create and execute compelling email marketing strategies that drive engagement and sales.
My second favorite thing to do is teach YOU to do it yourself.
I’m the creator of PRESS SEND: Email Marketing Mastery for Wineries, a digital course that gives wineries everything they need to do and know to make email marketing a profitable revenue channel, without tech headaches, overwhelm or a degree in graphic design or UX. I’m also the host of the Email Mavens YouTube Channel, the place for winery owners and marketing pros who want to sell more wine online by sending better marketing emails.
Having worked with just about every tech stack, I understand the pros and cons (and can uncover the hacks) inherent in winery systems. Helping demystify and exploit the tech component is critical to creating truly action-inspiring email strategies, driving delight and engagement with customers, and generating consistent profit to the bottom line.
I’m thrilled to share what I’ve learned with attendees at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.
Innovative Synergy: Creativity and Technology for Wine Industry Excellence
Sebastian Donoso, Bonterra Organic Estates, California

Sebastian Donoso
Sebastian Donoso was born in Chile and came to the U.S. at age 14. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology with a chemistry minor at California State University, Fresno. He later earned a certificate in Biodynamic Agriculture from Biodynamic Agricultural College in the U.K.
Sebastian joined Bonterra Organic Estates in 2017 from Campovida, a family-owned winery in Hopland, California, where he established an acclaimed winemaking program based on small-lot, vineyard-designated wines from select Mendocino County vineyards, many farmed organically or biodynamically. Prior to Campovida, Sebastian was Enologist and Assistant Winemaker at Saracina, a Hopland winery owned by John Fetzer with 250 acres of organically farmed vines.
As Senior Winemaker, Sebastian leads his colleagues in a never-ending quest for improvement that has already elevated quality to new heights. He oversees production of Bonterra Organic Estates’ namesake portfolio, which includes the Bonterra Estate Collection and the critically acclaimed Bonterra Single Vineyard Collection: The Roost Chardonnay, The McNab Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Butler Red Blend. All of these wines are made from grapes grown on the company’s Regenerative Organic Certified® estate vineyards in Mendocino County. In addition, he manages winemaking for the 1000 Stories brand, a leader in the booming spirits barrel-aged wine category.
Sebastian served for several years as a member and officer of the board of directors for Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. (MWI), working to promote the grapes and wines of Mendocino County. Today, he leads his internal team with the goal of inspiring the world, telling the story of Bonterra Organic Estates through world-class winemaking, and unwavering dedication to sustainability in all its forms.
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Sebastián Donoso nació en Santiago, Chile y emigró a los Estados Unidos a los 14 años. Completó un bachillerato de ciencias en Enología y minor en química de la Universidad Estatal de California, Fresno. Luego, obtubo un certificado en agricultura Biodinámica de Biodynamic Agricultural College en el Reino Unido.
Sebastián comenzó a e Bonterra Organic Estates en el año 2017 después de haber estado a cargo por cinco años de Campovida, una bodega familiar ubicada en Hopland, California, estableciendo vinos de ultra-premium de lotes limitados a base de uvas orgánicas y Biodinámicas. Antes de unirse a Campovida, Sebastián trabajó por cuatro años como Enólogo Asistente de Saracina, una bodega de John Fetzer ubicada también en Hopland, California.
En su rol de Sr. Winemaker, Sebastián lidera la producción de los vinos a base de uvas propias y certificadas regenerativas. Al mismo tiempo, está a cargo de la marca 1000 Stories, pionera en lo que respecta a vinos añejados en barricas de bourbon.
Por varios años, Sebastián fue parte del directorio de Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. (MWI), trabajando para promover las uvas y vinos del Condado de Mendocino.
Innovative Synergy: Creativity and Technology for Wine Industry Excellence
Lulu Martinez Ojeda, Bruma Vinicola, Mexico

Lulu Martinez Ojeda
Lulu is a proud Ensenada native. She grew up as most of the Ensenadenses, surrounded by wines and food. She went to France more than 20 years ago, where she studied viticulture and oenology in Bordeaux.
“I never thought of going anywhere else in France to study wine. I saw Bordeaux as the world’s wine capital, so I didn’t want to be anywhere else”
After working in Chateau Smith Haut Laffite, in Pessac Leognan, she graduated and started working at Chateau Brane-Cantenac, second Grand Cru Classe, a winery owned by Henri Lurton one of the oldest and most lauded houses in Bordeaux.
In 2014, Lurton decided to invest outside of Bordeaux in Martinez’ hometown of Ensenada and the surrounding Valle de Guadalupe. She decided to head back home,
Her family was one of the 13 founding families of Ensenada and as a woman winemaker coming back to her country – where patriarchy is very much alive – she is proud to call herself a feminist.
She is now head winemaker and Wine director of Bruma and is one of the most prominent consultant winemakers in Mexico.
Martinez is a forward thinker, and she loves creating complex wines, with varietal typicity, natural freshness, aromatic finesse and balance.
Innovative Synergy: Creativity and Technology for Wine Industry Excellence
Cristina Lazcano, University of California, Davis

Cristina Lazcano
Dr. Cristina Lazcano is a soil ecologist and associate professor at the department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis. Her international career has taken her from Spain, where she completed her PhD, to the Technical University of Denmark, the University of Calgary (Canada) and UC Davis. Before joining the faculty of UC Davis in 2019, Dr. Lazcano was an assistant professor of soil ecology at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Lazcano currently leads a team of 20 researchers at different career stages and from different backgrounds, focused on understanding the links between soil biodiversity, agroecosystem functioning and human health.
Her work identifies the soil ecological interactions responsible for C sequestration, nutrient availability and retention in agroecosystems and how they can be managed to increase soil health and sustainability of agricultural production. Through on farm collaborative research, Dr. Lazcano hopes to help winegrape producers understand how to improve soil health, environmental quality and agroecosystem resilience while producing high quality grapes. Her recent work on no-till vineyards was awarded with the 2023 Viticulture Paper of the Year Award from the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology.
Sustainable & Efficient Winery Practices – Do More with less
Stephan Sommer, University of Missouri, Columbia

Stephan Sommer
University of Missouri, Assistant Extension Professor and State Extension Specialist for Enology
PhD Microbiology and Wine Science, Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
Engineering Diploma in Beverage Technology, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany
Dr. Sommer joined the Grape and Wine Institute at the University of Missouri in August 2022. He is the enology program leader and provides extension support for all wineries in the State of Missouri. Prior to moving to Missouri, he was the Director of the Viticulture and Enology Research Center at California State University Fresno. As Director of VERC, he provided research and administrative leadership by planning, promoting, and administering all viticulture and enology research programs. Prior to that, Dr. Sommer was the academic program director and an Assistant Professor of Fermentation Sciences at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He also brings more than eight years of industry experience in various fields of beverage production including wineries, sparkling wine companies, breweries, table water production, and related fields including industrial flavor production.
Protecting Vineyards: History of Preventing Exotic Pest Establishment and the Threat of Spotted Lanternfly
Julie Urban, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Julie Urban
Dr. Julie Urban is a Research Associate Professor in the Entomology Department at Pennsylvania State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from the University at Albany. She studies planthopper evolution and their co-evolution with multiple bacterial and fungal symbionts. Her recent work involves aspects of basic and applied research on the invasive planthopper, the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). She has been a member of USDA’s Technical Working Group of scientists, advising management and research on the Spotted Lanternfly, since it was first detected in the US in September 2014. Dr. Urban has been leading a regional USDA NIFA Specialty Crops Research Initiative grant studying the biology, management, reducing the impact of Spotted Lanternfly in specialty crops in the eastern USA.
Labeling Part 2: Labeling Requirements and Regulations
Tracy Genesen, Wine Institute, California

Tracy Genesen
Tracy serves as Vice President & General Counsel at Wine Institute, a California-based winery trade association representing over 1,000 wineries. Prior to joining Wine Institute, Tracy served as Vice President and General Counsel of Edrington North America, a Scottish-based ultra-premium spirits group that produces Macallan Scotch Whiskey amongst other world-famous products. In addition, during the course of her legal career, she has successfully represented individuals seeking political asylum in the United States. Tracy holds an adjunct law professor position at many top law schools, including Stanford and Berkeley Law Schools. Lastly, Tracy is an author/contributor to a number of publications including Wine Law in America: Law and Policy.
From Data to Decisions – Tools for Digital Viticulture
Terry Bates, Cornell University, New York

Terry Bates
Dr. Terry Bates is a Senior Research Associate in the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science and the Director of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory, a 50-acre production research vineyard in the Lake Erie American Viticultural Area. Dr. Bates has 25 years of experience in vineyard mechanization, including mechanical grapevine pruning, shoot thinning, fruit thinning, and harvesting. His current research program integrates agricultural sensors, spatial data processing, and variable-rate mechanization for precision vineyard management.
Growing Disease Resistant Vines
Oliver Trapp, Julius Kühn-Institut Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants, Germany

Oliver Trapp
Dr. Oliver Trapp is the grapevine breeder at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), the Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants in Germany. He studied biology with a focus on molecular biology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and received his PhD in 2013 in the group of Prof. Holger Puchta. Since 2016, he works as grapevine breeder at the Institute for Grapevine Breeding at the JKI and since 2021 he is Deputy Head of the Institute. His work focuses on breeding new grapevine varieties adapted to climate change with high levels of resistance against grapevine pathogens and high wine quality.
New Product Development: From Exploration to Execution
Mireia Taribó Tena, Camins 2 Dreams, California

Mireia Taribó Tena
Mireia was born and raised in Catalunya, in the northeastern part of Spain. Her interest in wine started at a very young age. Growing up in Spain, wine is considered a food and was part of almost every meal. Mireia knew from a young age that she wanted to learn more about wine.
Mireia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Barcelona, and then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology at the University of Rovira and Virgili. When she was in her last year of studies, she came to California as an intern for a harvest season, which is where she met her wife, Tara Gomez. When that harvest finished, Mireia went back to Spain. In 2008, she accepted a harvest position at Castell d’Encus, a start-up winery in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. She quickly earned a winemaker position and worked there until 2014. While working at Castell d’Encus, Mireia went back to school to earn her Masters in Enology, Viticulture, and Marketing of Wine. Meanwhile her relationship with Tara grew and they traveled the world and visited all the wine regions together. In 2014, Mireia moved to California and began working as a wine broker and wine consultant.
In 2017, she started Camins 2 Dreams, a new adventure with her wife, Tara Gomez, making hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery, and sourcing from organic, biodynamic and regenerative farmed vineyards that share the same values of respect for the land and their workers.
Mireia serves on the board of directors for the Sta Rita Hills Wine Alliance since 2019.
El vino nunca ha sido mejor; Hay un Vino para Todos
Leticia Chacón-Rodríguez, University of California, Davis

Leticia Chacón-Rodríguez
Leticia, a wine professional with more than 20 years of experience in California, and currently the Winemaker and Winery Manager at the University of California, Davis. Previously, Leticia has been at Safe Harbor Wine Storage, Treasury Wine States, E&J Gallo Winery, Golden State Vintners (now Wine Group) and Delicato Family Vineyards.
She is on her third year as co-chair of the Program Development Committee for Unified Wine and Grape Symposium and participates actively on the Spanish Track.
She is an active member for the American Society for Viticulture and Enology (ASEV), a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologist, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production. She is past President (2012-2013) for this Society, and she has served as a Poster Chair for the National Conference, Best Paper Award Committee, and others.
She enjoys her free time with her husband and her two young sons in various activities like cooking, reading, swimming, biking, watching movies, attending symphony orchestra concerts, among others.
MS in Food Sciences (Enology emphasis), UC Davis.
BS in Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México, Mexico City.
State of the Industry
Jeff Bitter, Allied Grape Growers, California

Jeff Bitter
Jeff Bitter is a life-long resident of California. Born into a family vineyard operation, Jeff has always had a passion for agriculture and specifically grape growing. Jeff is the President of Allied Grape Growers (AGG), a 500-member statewide grape growers cooperative marketing association. AGG markets approximately $100,000,000 worth of grapes annually to wineries, shippers, packers and dehydrators. In addition to managing AGG, Jeff is a fourth-generation California grape grower, actively farming winegrapes in Madera County, where he resides.
Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the same. Jeff is also a graduate of Class XXXII of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a prestigious two-year fellowship program emphasizing leadership training and development for those involved in California agriculture.
Jeff participates on numerous industry boards, committees and task forces and spends his free time farming, traveling and enjoying time with family and friends. Jeff has one minor and three adult children, one of which is married and provided Jeff with his first grandchild in 2024.
Maximizing Financial Opportunities in the Wine Industry – From Vineyard to Bottom Line: Avoiding Missed Opportunities for Your Business
Gene Russell, Manex Consulting, California

Gene Russell
Gene Russell is President and CEO of Manex. Mr. Russell has held three successful CEO positions over a 23-year period for businesses that included early-stage, private equity and non-profit. He has served as senior leadership in global Fortune 100 and iconic consumer branded companies. Prior to Manex, Mr. Russell led a turnaround at a small / midsized privately held California manufacturer.
The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence dba Manex was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit 501c3 corporation to partner with the U.S. Department of Commerce as an NGO Manufacturing Extension Center under NIST MEP. Today we also work hand in glove with the California Manufacturing Network to bring all possible resources to drive manufacturing success throughout the State.
Manex works extensively in the several wine supply chains including companies specializing in labeling, corks, tins, packaging, and directly with wineries in the areas of lean and ERP systems implementation.
Most Manex clients take advantage of our multi-employer contract with the State of California’s ETP Program. As a trusted “MEC” with the Employment Training Panel (ETP) we take the hassle out of securing these training dollars for small to midsized companies. The ETP was created in 1982 by the California State Legislature and is funded by California employers through a special payroll tax.
This is a significant benefit to owners, executives, managers, and employees in California. It is an earned rebate based on qualified employees training hours in areas of lean, quality, food safety, leadership skills, and more.
Mr. Russell holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. MBA Essentials from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mastering Design Thinking Certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, AI / Machine Learning Strategy Certificate from Berkeley Haas Graduate School of Business.
Maximizing Financial Opportunities in the Wine Industry – From Vineyard to Bottom Line: Avoiding Missed Opportunities for Your Business
Jeff Yasui, USDA Risk Management Agency, California

Jeff Yasui
Jeff Yasui has been with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) since 2012, serving as the Director of the Regional Office that oversees the administration of crop insurance in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Prior to joining RMA, he served as the Farm Program Chief for the Farm Service Agency in California for several years. Jeff’s family farmed in San Joaquin County, and he is a graduate of UC Davis.
El vino nunca ha sido mejor; Hay un Vino para Todos
Encarna Gómez-Plaza, University of Murcia, Spain

Encarna Gómez-Plaza
I got my Ph.D. from the University of Murcia (1992) being the main topic of the doctoral thesis the study of the volatile components of grapes and wines. I did a post-doctoral research stay at Fresno (California, USA) for 16 months, hired by the Agricultural Research Service and California Raisin Advisory Board. The objective was to carry out a research project regarding the presence of trichloroanisoles in raisins.
I returned to Spain and continued working on grapes and wines for three years, focusing the research on their polyphenolic and chromatic characterization (1994-1996). I joined the University of Murcia in 1997, first as an Assistant Professor and later as a Full Professor in the area of Food Technology and from 2007 as a University Professor.
I have participated in more than 25 research projects, with regional, national and European funding, being the Research Leader in 15 of them and almost all of them have been related to the study of different aspects of grapes and wines with a special focus on the studies of phenolic compounds of grapes and wines, the different phenomena associated with them, affecting both to chromatic and gustatory properties (such as the astringency associated with tannins) and the modulation of their concentrations by applying various oenological techniques, such as the use of high power ultrasound.
Due to our large knowledge of wine properties and our experience in technological approaches, I have also led several contracts with different companies. With one of these companies, I have participated in a SME instrument on the Horizont 2020 framework, working in the development of an ultrasound system for wineries and we have been, together with Agrovin S.A., the promoters for the approval of the use of ultrasound in oenology, participating as representatives of the Spanish delegation in the meetings of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) for three years.
TikTok Generation: Why Short Videos are Essential to Your Business
Jasmine Yook, Hashflow, New York

Jasmine Yook
Jasmine Yook is a brand and content marketer whose experience lies in brand storytelling. She’s worked the last 10 years growing brand-love for companies like Amazon (Fashion & Alexa), Nike, and now Hashflow, a decentralized crypto exchange platform, through content, social, and experiences. Her approach to content and social marketing encompasses balance between data, creative, and customer insights, which has propelled her to create one-of-a-kind campaigns for the top companies in the world. For example, her work at Amazon Fashion includes launching the brand’s first record-breaking TikTok Hashtag Challenge and first viral items shop and at Nike, where she concepted the brand’s first plus-size women’s campaign. She also has a penchant for wine as she received her WSET III pass with merit. Jasmine resides on the East Coast with her dog Louie.
Growing Disease Resistant Vines
Oliver Trapp, Julius Kühn-Institut Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants, Germany

Oliver Trapp
Dr. Oliver Trapp is the grapevine breeder at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), the Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants in Germany. He studied biology with a focus on molecular biology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and received his PhD in 2013 in the group of Prof. Holger Puchta. Since 2016, he works as grapevine breeder at the Institute for Grapevine Breeding at the JKI and since 2021 he is Deputy Head of the Institute. His work focuses on breeding new grapevine varieties adapted to climate change with high levels of resistance against grapevine pathogens and high wine quality.
Leveraging Technology to Increase Sustainability
Bob Coleman, Treasury Wine Estates, California

Bob Coleman
Bob Coleman has 25+ years of experience in the wine industry, that time spent primarily as a winemaker at Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma County. He more recently finished a PhD in 2019 on the kinetics of wine oxidation. Currently, he is working at Beringer Winery leading commercial winery innovation and precision winemaking, including efforts towards energy and water efficiency practices and improved fermentation performance.
Growing Our Future Leaders
Miguel Luna, Silverado Farming Company, California

Ray Johnson
Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State, the first university in the United States to offer a BS in Wine Business in 1998, the first to offer a Wine MBA in 2008 and the first in the world to offer an Executive Wine MBA in 2012.
Johnson joined the wine business in 1986 at the Christian Brothers’ Greystone Cellars in Saint Helena, California. He went on to sell wine, first on the supplier side, and later in retail, working directly with consumers. He earned his Master’s in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide in South Australia and taught for fourteen years.
Johnson’s work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing, the International Journal of Wine Business Research, Vineyard & Winery Management, and in reviews for consumers and the primer The Good Life Guide to Enjoying Wine.

Miguel Luna
Miguel Luna is a Partner and Viticulturist at Silverado Farming Co. in Napa Valley. He moved from his native country of Mexico to California at age thirteen and began working in the vineyards a year later. He then interned at Pahlmeyer, Dana Estates, Atelier Melka, and Bordeaux’s Chateau de Fieuzal. After earning a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis in 2014, Miguel joined the widely respected Silverado Farming Company, becoming a partner in 2017. For his achievements in grape growing and for being a tireless mentor for young growers, Wine Enthusiast named him Viticulturist of the Year in 2020. The UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology appointed him to their Viticulture and Enology Executive Leadership Board in 2021.
Keynote Speaker Luncheon – Workshop in Spanish
Arnulfo Solorio, Silverado Farming Company, California

Arnulfo Solorio
Arnulfo Solorio is Partner and Operations Manager at Silverado Farming Company.
Born in Mexico, Arnulfo came to the United States at the age of 14, as a field worker and mechanic’s assistant while following crops through Arizona, California and Washington State.
After settling in Napa Valley, he spent 24 years in vineyard management positions at Mondavi Vineyards, Tonella Vineyards, Franciscan Estates and Domaine Chandon, before joining Silverado Farming in 2002.
Beyond managing operations and personnel at SFC, he is also part of the team that develops training, education, personal growth, and reward programs for employees. He believes strongly in supporting farm labor through education.
In 2010, alongside Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Arnulfo shared his idea and dream of forming a foundation to provide comprehensive education to Napa County farmworkers. This led to the creation of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, where Arnulfo is a Director on the Board, and Chair of the Farmworker Education Committee.
Preventing and Mitigating Low Temp Injury (or Cold Damage) in Grapevines
Ken Kupperman, Jackson Family Wines, California

David Ogilvie
David is lead viticulturalist for his 4-generation farm, Wilson Farms, growing wine grapes in Clarksburg. In 2015 He also started a winery, Ogilvie Merwin Vintners, with his brother and friend that focuses on making premium wines from Clarksburg.
As farm manager, David has championed sustainability and efficiency using the latest Ag Tech. He leads the farming team managing vineyards as well as managing winemaking for his wine brands. In this way, David is able to follow the grape from its original planting all the way to bottling.
David graduated from University of California, Davis in 2002 with a degree in Viticulture & Enology and travelled to 3 continents making wine. He eventually found himself back at UC Davis obtaining a Master Brewers Certificate through the UC Extension Program in 2008. Upon completion, David then worked for Anheuser-Busch eventually running the brewhouse in Williamsburg VA before coming back to his home vineyards in 2014.

Jason Magnaghi

Ken Kupperman
As vice president of Oregon vineyard operations, Ken Kupperman oversees all aspects of vineyard and land management for Jackson Family Wines’ properties in Willamette Valley.
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies he worked in Israel studying drip irrigation and gaining experience in the production of apples, pears and kiwifruit. Following this he received a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Arkansas.
Later Ken worked in the Washington apple industry before moving to the wine industry in 1998 when he joined Wente Family Estates. There as director of viticulture he oversaw 3,000 acres of vineyards in the Livermore Valley, Napa, Arroyo Seco and Monterey appellations.
In 2007 he accepted a position with Premier Pacific Vineyards managing their Willamette Valley properties, including Gran Moraine and Zena Crown Vineyard, which Jackson Family Wines would later purchase.
In 2013 Ken joined Jackson Family Wines as director of vineyard operations and was promoted to vice president of vineyard operations in 2018. He feels fortunate to work with some of the best vineyard sites in Willamette Valley and finds great satisfaction in delivering fantastic fruit, and in building a team that does so year in and year out.
State of the Industry
Liz Thach, Sonoma State University, California

Danny Brager
Danny Brager has a wealth of experience in the U.S. Beverage Alcohol industry, analyzing trends over many years. He formerly headed Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area in the U.S, leading teams that supported relationships with Nielsen’s clients as well as key industry groups and the media.
In his current consulting role, Danny provides data-driven analysis and insights to Beverage Alcohol companies seeking to translate information into authoritative, fact-based insights in support of their corporate and brand goals. Each year, he presents at a large number of notable industry and company events and is a frequent thought leader contributor to the media/press. His informed opinions are highly respected by the beverage alcohol producers, importers, distributors, retailers and financiers.
Danny currently partners with 3 Tier Beverages – a company that facilitates the provision of data, and provides outsourced analytics, is on the Board of Directors of the Wine Market Council, and is Managing Director of Category & Consumer Insights at Azur Associates. Azur was founded to bring comprehensive advisory & consulting services – including strategic advisory, mergers & acquisitions and route to market solutions – to wine and spirits companies.
Danny was born in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Toronto where he graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University. He relocated to Mission Viejo, California in 1993 where he now resides.

Jeff Bitter
Jeff Bitter is a life-long resident of California. Born into a family vineyard operation, Jeff has always had a passion for agriculture and specifically grape growing. Jeff is the President of Allied Grape Growers (AGG), a 500-member statewide grape growers cooperative marketing association. AGG markets approximately $100,000,000 worth of grapes annually to wineries, shippers, packers and dehydrators. In addition to managing AGG, Jeff is a fourth-generation California grape grower, actively farming winegrapes in Madera County, where he resides.
Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the same. Jeff is also a graduate of Class XXXII of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a prestigious two-year fellowship program emphasizing leadership training and development for those involved in California agriculture.
Jeff participates on numerous industry boards, committees and task forces and spends his free time farming, traveling and enjoying time with family and friends. Jeff has one minor and three adult children, one of which is married and provided Jeff with his first grandchild in 2024.

Liz Thach
Dr. Liz Thach, MW is a Professor, Wine Writer and Consultant based in Napa and Sonoma, California. She is an award-winning author and educator, specializing in wine business strategy, marketing, leadership/executive development, and wine lifestyle.
Liz’s passion is wine, and she has visited most of the major wine regions of the world and more than 65 countries. She has published over 200 articles and 9 books, including Call of the Vine, Best Practices in Global Wine Tourism and Wine Marketing & Sales. She frequently publishes in Forbes, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Spectator, and The Somm Journal, amongst others.
A fifth generation Californian, Liz finished her Ph.D. at Texas A&M and now lives on Sonoma Mountain. In addition, she teaches wine classes at Stanford Continuing Education and Sonoma State University, as well as working as a consultant and wine judge. Liz obtained the distinction of Master of Wine (MW) in May of 2011, becoming the first female MW from California.
Sustainability 360 – Today’s Toolkit for Tomorrow’s Success
Nate Weis, Silver Oak Cellars, California

Nate Weis
A Napa Valley native whose father is also a winemaker, Nate grew up with wine on the table and a drawer full of t‐shirts emblazoned with winery logos. His first job after graduating with honors from UC Santa Barbara with a BS in Biopsychology was as a “cellar rat” at Groth Vineyards & Winery. “I loved that first harvest, so I packed my bags, dropped my application for UC Davis in the mail and went off to Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand to work another.” After earning an MS in Viticulture and Enology from UCD, he was hired as cellar master at Etude, and then spent two years as assistant winemaker for Patz & Hall Wine Company. In 2008 Nate was hired by Marchese Piero Antinori to be winemaker for Antica Napa Valley. He earned an Executive MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University in 2014.
Nate joined Silver Oak & Twomey as Silver Oak Winemaker in 2014, was promoted to Director of Winemaking in 2017, and then Vice President of Winegrowing in 2019. His responsibilities center around leading the team that handles all aspects of farming, grower relations, and winemaking for Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID, and Timeless Napa Valley.
T’aint Just Smoke Taint
Scott Frost, Tufts University, Massachusetts

Scott Frost
Scott Frost is a sensory scientist and flavor chemist with Tufts University. His research explores how food preference and choice is influenced by production practices. After receiving his Master of Science from UC Davis, Scott ran a winery lab in California. This experience sparked his desire to understand how wine production can influence flavor chemistry. Since completing his Ph.D., he has worked on various food and beverages including wine, coffee, cheese, and beer.
Viticulture for Current and Future Consumers, from the Grape to the Glass
Alfredo Koch, Allan Hancock College, California

Eva Bertran
Descended from generations of wine merchants, I was raised in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia (Spain). Following my family’s tradition, I tasted a drop of Cava within hours of my birth, setting me on my path.
After earning my MBA at ESADE, I moved to Sonoma, California, in 1987 as part of the original team that launched Gloria Ferrer Winery from a trailer in a Los Carneros cow pasture. For over 30 years, I was part of the management team of both Gloria Ferrer Winery and the Ferrer family import company, Freixenet USA, where I launched and grew brands both boutique and high-volume brands from over 25 of the best-known appellations in eight countries, spanning Old and New World.
In 2019, I founded a business consulting company that assists domestic and import wineries and trade associations with strategic planning, business development, and sales plans.
I am a pentaglot (English, Catalan, Spanish, French, and Italian), and my travels have taken me to visit over 50 appellations around the world. There is so much more to discover!

Cristina Pino Villar
Enóloga de Bodegas de Santo Tomás. Nacida en España, es Licenciada en Enología por la Facultad de Ciencias de la Universidad de Extremadura e Ingeniero Agrónomo por la Universidad de Ávila. Además, tiene un Doctorado (PhD) en Enología por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, con la calificación Cum Laude y una maestría en Viticultura por la Universidad de Extremadura.
Su amplia preparación académica la ha puesto al servicio de la industria vinícola, encabezando proyectos fundamentales en la investigación y el desarrollo del sector, en las principales zonas productoras de vinos en España, México y USA.
Sus conocimientos han sido vertidos en su experiencia como docente, tanto en su país (España), como en México.
Cristina ha publicado artículos en volúmenes colectivos y prestigiadas revistas científicas. Así mismo, ha sido ponente en importantes congresos internacionales. Desde el 2011 Cristina trabaja en la industria vitivinícola mexicana y desde el año 2015 es parte del consejo asesor de expertos a nivel técnico en el Consejo Mexicano del Vino (CMV). Además, en el 2017 se acreditó como miembro de la delegación de expertos de México ante la Comisión II (Enología) de la Organización Internacional de la Viña y el Vino (OIV) y en el 2018 la nombraron vicepresidenta de la comisión de Microbiología de la OIV. Cargo que sigue ejerciendo hasta la fecha. Además, es cofundadora y enóloga en dos proyectos de vino espumoso en el Valle de Guadalupe: 3para1 (desde 20016) y Micha Micha (2022).
Cristina is a Winemaker at Bodegas de Santo Tomás. Born in Spain, she has a degree in Oenology from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Extremadura and an Agronomist Ingeniere from the University of Ávila. Cristina has a Doctorate (PhD) in Oenology from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, with the qualification Cum Laude and a master’s degree in Viticulture from the University of Extremadura.
Her extensive academic preparation has placed her at the service of the wine industry, leading fundamental projects in the research and development of the sector, in the main wine-producing areas in Spain, Mexico and the US. Her knowledge has been poured into her experience as a teacher, both in his country (Spain) and in Mexico.
Cristina has published articles in collective volumes and prestigious scientific journals. Likewise, she has been a speaker at important international conferences. Since 2011 Cristina has worked in the Mexican wine industry and since 2015, she is part of the advisory council of experts at a technical level in the Consejo Mexicano del Vino (CMV). In addition, in 2017 she was accredited as a member of the delegation of experts from Mexico of Commission II (Oenology) of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) and in 2018 she was appointed Vice-president of the Microbiology commission of the OIV. A position that continues to date. Cristina is a co-founder and winemaker in two sparkling wine projects in Valle de Guadalupe: 3para1 (since 2016) and Micha Micha (2022).

Gustavo Sotelo
Gustavo Sotelo is the Director of Winemaking for Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California. During his 8-year tenure at Scribe, Sotelo has worked on expanding the winemaking program, improving quality, brand development, and developing innovative wine styles and bottling formats for all brands under his purview.
Sotelo joined the wine industry in 2010 after an initial career in New York with a focus in Finance and Business Development. Originally from Mexico City, Sotelo has worked at Treasury Wine Estates – USA, Mumm Napa, and White Rock Vineyards.
Sotelo obtained a degree from the University of California, Davis Viticulture & Enology program. Upon graduating Sotelo followed his interest in Iberian wine and travelled to Spain to work at the prestigious Bodegas Mauro in the Ribera del Duero. Upon his return to California, Sotelo joined the Scribe. production team as their first Assistant Winemaker. Within a few short years, Sotelo took over the helm of the wine program and transformed it into one of the most innovative one’s in California.
In 2019, Sotelo and his wife founded their own project Orixe Sotelo, focused on Spanish grape varieties grown in California. Sotelo’s goal is to provide more diversity to California wines and import Spanish varieties non-existent in California.

Alaina Velasquez
After completing her BS in Biology at UC Davis, Alaina moved to the Napa Valley to begin her career in the wine industry. In her 13 years working with wine, Alaina has focused on winemaking from the laboratory perspective, exploring various areas of interest from yeast to cork and much in between. She began her career at Silver Oak and currently works at Opus One Winery as Research Manager where she spearheads their native yeast program along with various other experimental projects.

Alfredo Koch
Alfredo hails from Mendoza, Argentina, has a MS from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and a PhD from University of California, Davis.
Alfredo has been teaching for over 20 years viticulture and enology courses in the US and France. He is the coordinator at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, which offers several programs with a vineyard and bonded winery on campus.
Winemaking and Vineyards Manager Teams
Chris Louton, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, California

Chris Louton
Chris Louton joined St. Francis in 2013 after nearly seven years as part of the winemaking team at Napa’s Beringer Vineyards, where he focused on the luxury tier of wines and helped craft award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons and other Bordeaux varietals.
As Associate Winemaker at Beringer, Chris became a devoted fan of unique terroirs such as Howell Mountain, Knights Valley and Alexander Valley, which gave him a special appreciation for Sonoma County’s diverse appellations.
At St. Francis, Chris oversees production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. His goal is to create wines that are approachable, yet compelling, and always a true expression of Sonoma County. Making world-class wines wasn’t the career Chris originally planned for himself. He was studying biology at UC Davis with every intention of becoming a veterinarian when he took a winemaking class his senior year. That class hooked him, and instead of applying to vet school after graduation, he went back to UC Davis to study viticulture and enology.
Vine Characteristics for Resiliency
Megan Bartlett, University of California, Davis

Megan Bartlett
Dr. Megan Bartlett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis. Her research is focused on grapevine heat and drought tolerance. Her lab uses experimental and modeling approaches to identify traits and viticultural practices to mitigate the impacts of heat and water stress on grapevine performance. Her lab also develops rapid screening methods to make it feasible to target stress tolerance traits in breeding. Megan earned her PhD on plant drought tolerance mechanisms from UCLA in 2016 and completed her postdoctoral research at Princeton University in 2019.
Preventing and Mitigating Low Temp Injury or Cold Damage in Grapevines
Markus Keller, Washington State University, Prosser

Markus Keller
Markus Keller is the Chateau Ste. Michelle Distinguished Professor of Viticulture at Washington State University’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser. He received his MS in plant science and PhD in natural sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. His research focuses on environmental factors and management practices as they influence crop physiology and production of wine and juice grapes. He is the author of the textbook “The Science of Grapevines” and currently serves as the science editor on the board of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.
An Industry Update on Vineyard Automation. Where Are we Now?
Philip Martin, University of California, Davis

Philip Martin
Philip Martin is Professor emeritus of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California-Davis, editor of Rural Migration News (http://migration.ucdavis.edu), and the author of numerous research publications on migration and farm labor. Martin was the only researcher appointed to the federal Commission on Agricultural Workers (1989-93) that evaluated the impacts of immigration reforms on US farm workers.
Doing Even More, with Even Less
Mark Battany, University of California Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo County

Mark Battany
Mark grew up in Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Agronomy and a minor in Spanish. He continued with graduate work at UC Davis with an M.S. in Hydrologic Sciences. He was an exchange scholar at a Spanish government research center in Cordoba, Spain studying runoff and erosion in hillside olive groves. He began working for UC Cooperative Extension in 2001, initially as a Viticulture Farm Advisor for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties; in 2018 his title changed to Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor.
Growing Our Future Leaders
Justin Leigon, Piña Vineyard Management, California

Justin Leigon
Justin Leigon became a partner at Piña Vineyard Management in 2022 after several years acting as Head Viticulturist. A proud husband and father of three, the family-founded company has been a perfect fit for his skills and aspirations.
Currently, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of high-end winegrape farming and is involved in vineyard development with Pina. After beginning his career in wine production, Leigon attended the University of California, Davis where he received his B.S. in Viticulture and Enology.
In 2006, Leigon spent time abroad in Australia learning about global wine styles. Upon returning, he honed his skills in cellars around the Napa Valley. He is passionate about working with both winemaking and vineyard teams to produce ultra-premium quality wines by using minimal inputs and targeting key aspects of winegrape development. Leigon is involved in community outreach and is an advocate for ag education.