Session

Winemaking and Vineyard Manager Teams (includes tasting)
Winemaking Breakout Session

In our rapidly changing world, communication and a shared sense of purpose are more important than ever. This one-hour session gives the floor to successful winemaker-vineyard manager teams for a frank discussion on getting things right, making things work and reacting to the inevitable things that go wrong. Topics include working together to react to the unexpected, mentorship, community outreach, changing climate conditions and labor issues.  

 

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Moderator:

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Elizabeth Vianna
Chimney Rock, California

A native of São Paulo, Elizabeth was a biology major at Vassar College. Originally on the pre-medical school track, she fell in love with wine as a consumer while living in New York City. Her strong science background and sudden infatuation with wine propelled her to apply to the University of California, Davis, and its renowned winemaking program instead of medical school.

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Speakers:

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Tony Bugica
Atlas Vineyard Management, California

Tony Bugica represents the fourth generation of a farming family. Attending the University of Nevada, Reno, he studied biology. After college, he started Bugica Landscaping and Excavation. During his 10 years as President of Bugica Landscaping, he managed 120+ employees which included supervision of over 500 commercial and residential properties in the Reno-Tahoe area. Tony’s company was honored with many awards in recognition for its unique designs and beautiful landscapes, and as one of the top landscaping contractors in the Reno-Tahoe area. Upon arriving in Sonoma County, Tony started as Ranch Manager for Dry Creek Olive Company.

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Remi Cohen
Domaine Carneros, California

Remi Cohen joined the Domaine Carneros family as CEO in 2020, bringing with her a diverse, over twenty-year track record of experience in all facets of the fine wine business, from sustainable vineyard management and winemaking to sales, marketing, and brand development. The role brings Cohen’s career full circle, for it’s in Carneros where it all began. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in molecular biology, Cohen received her master’s in viticulture at University of California, Davis. Her first harvest job was at Saintsbury in 2001, and she continued her tour de Carneros at Bouchaine Vineyards, where she was the vineyard manager for four years, and then the director of vineyard operations for Merryvale and Starmont.

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Andy Erickson
Favia Erickson Winegrowers, California

Andy Erickson has been working as a winemaker in the Napa Valley for more than two decades. An alumnus of the UC Davis Master’s program, he currently consults for a number of Napa Valley wineries, and oversees winemaking operations at Favia, the winery he owns with his viticulturist wife, Annie Favia.

 

 

 

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Chris Louton
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, California

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.

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Katie Madigan
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tim Rowe
Domaine Carneros, California

Tim joined Domaine Carneros as Vineyard Manager in 2022, bringing with him a rich and varied background. A native Kansan with an agricultural degree from the University of Missouri, his experience in California vineyards began on the vineyard management team at the famed Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in the Napa Valley. Following that, he expanded his knowledge of California AVAs working for LVMH, focusing on the 2,000 acres of vineyards for the Domaine Chandon and Newton brands.

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Jake Terrell
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, California

Jake joined St. Francis in 2014 after nearly nine years as a vineyard manager at E. & J. Gallo Winery. For five of those years, he managed the acclaimed Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma’s Moon Mountain appellation. Before coming to Sonoma, he spent over three years as vineyard manager at Justin Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles. 

Jake graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business and a focus on Viticulture.

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Kirk Venge
Venge Vineyards, California

Kirk Venge is a native of Napa Valley, born and raised in Rutherford. A second-generation winemaker, Venge graduated UC Davis with a BS degree in 1998. He currently consults for 12 premium wine brands and makes, owns and operates his two wineries, Venge Vineyards in Calistoga, and Croix Estate in the Russian River Valley.

 

 

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Blake Wood
Constellation Brands, Inc., California

Blake, a Napa native, is a licensed PCA and earned his B.S. in AG Business and Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly, SLO. As a Viticulturist and Vineyard Manager, Blake has collaborated with numerous winemaking teams to develop many of the top wines produced in the Napa Valley in recent years. Blake has recently joined Constellation Brands, Inc. as Director of Vineyard Operations for the prestigious To Kalon, Oakville and Mt. Veeder vineyards. 

 

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