Keith Striegler earned his Ph.D. in Horticulture from Michigan State University in 1990, his M.S. in 1982 and B.S. in 1979 in Horticulture Food Science from the University of Arkansas. He has been the Grower Outreach Specialist for E&J Gallo Winery since 2014. Prior to that he was the Outreach Coordinator for the National Clean Plant Network from 2012-2014. From 2006-2011 he was the Director and Viticulture Program Leader at the University of Missouri.

After studying Viticulture & Oenology at the University of Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Melinda worked in the Yarra Valley outside of Melbourne developing and managing a Pinot Noir & Chardonnay vineyard in Woori Yallock / Hoddles Creek. The Primavera Vineyard on Lusatia Park Rd in Woori Yallock, is now a highly regarded site from which single vineyard wines are made. Melinda then worked in Valle de Guadalupe, BC, MEXICO with Monte Xanic – one of Mexico’s most successful wine producers, after which she found her way to California.

Debbie grew up in California’s Central Valley and in 1994 graduated from CSU Stanislaus in Turlock California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. Right around that time, Deb and her future husband spent time wine tasting in Sonoma and she quickly realized this was something she truly enjoyed and wanted to know more about. She joined EJ Gallo Winery in 1995 as an analytical technician, followed by four years of wine chemistry and research before finally joining the premium winemaking team.