Wine Country Women: Recent Episodes
Michelle Mandro
The Wine Country Women podcast is about the extraordinary women who inspire us in wine country. The female-centric show is based on the Wine Country Women books, the global best-selling series by Michelle Mandro. Join her as she sits down with these women for a casual and intimate conversation. Their stories remind us–anyone can live in wine country.
Episode 268 - Caitlin Lhommeau of L’Envolee Wines and Bevan Wine Consulting by Michelle Mandro
Episode 261 - Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, Bar Cino and La Vencina Taquera by Michelle Mandro
Episode 213 - Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve + Kentucky Derby Memories by Michelle Mandro
Episode 210 - Celia Welch, Sylvan Lake Vineyards, Scarecrow Wine + More by Michelle Mandro
Episode 208 - Hilary Cline of Cline Family Cellars, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards and Gust Wines by Michelle Mandro
Episode 201 - Seana Stephens of DR Stephens, Hunnicutt Wines, Collateral Wines by Michelle Mandro
Episode 200 - Daphne Araujo of Wheeler Farm, Accendo Cellars and Daphne Araujo Olive Oil Soap by Michelle Mandro
Episode 198 - Jane Lopes, How to Drink Australian and Legend Australian Wine Imports by Michelle Mandro
Episode 187 - Megan Skupny, Lang & Reed Napa Valley and Rockhound Wine by Michelle Mandro
Episode 177 - Father's Day Show with Nate Weis of Silver Oak, Twomey and Ovid Wineries by Michelle Mandro
Episode 138 - Bibiana Gonzalas Rave, Cattleya Wines & Shared Notes Wines by Michelle Mandro
Deborah Blum is the founder and executive director of Goatlandia an animal sanctuary in Sonoma County, but also a former fashion designer, restaurantuer and professional pilot. Learn how an encounter with 150 goats changed her life forever. Find out why she became vegan and how coffee has become a big part of her life. Discover why she likes Italy, motorcycles, passion flowers, actor Jodie Foster, and so much more.
Mailynh Phan is the CEO of RD Winery in Napa. Discover how she grew up in New York, graduated from Vassar and landed her first job running a winery in the Napa Valley. Find out how the business was initially designed to sell California wine to the Vietnamese market. Discover the unique story around opening a new tasting room and why you should visit. Discover how Mailynh’s competitive spirit makes her successful at her job. Learn how plants, singer Adele, art, and Yosemite are important to her.
Meet chef and restaurantuer Ouita Michel from Kentucky. Learn all about this remarkable and beloved woman who owns eight successful restaurants in the Lexington, Kentucky area. Discover her connection to the James Beard Foundation and how it’s still part of her life today. Find out the people who have supported career and continue to influence her life. Discover some of the unique characteristic of her historic home and some of her holiday traditions, and so much more.
Joy Sterling is the CEO of Iron Horse Winery in Sonoma County. Learn how this dynamic woman grew up in Paris, France, had a career in news before joining the family wine business. Discover her connection to the 1984 Olympics and space shuttle landings. Find out, as second generation working at the winery, why she hopes to get people craving Iron Horse 24/7. Learn all of this about Joy, and so much more!
Meet Sofia Torres McKay who is the vintner of Cramoisi Vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Learn how this woman from Mexico with a successful IT career became a trailblazer in Oregon. Find out what enticed her to head to the Dundee Hills in 2012, and plant grape vines and become an organic and biodynamic farmer. Discover what she enjoys most about making wine, and why she hopes to be making it for many years to come.
Tracy Dutton is the proprietor of Dutton Estate Winery in the Sonoma County. Learn how her first job at 12-years old, working for her families farming business managing their fruit stand helped prepare her for her work today, overseeing the day to day operations of the winery. Discover how she met and married the boy next door. Discover what she enjoys most about working with her family, why she enjoys road trips, and likes listening to the same music her kids do.
Robin Lail is the founder and president of Lail Vineyards, but also a real trailblazer. Robin grew up at the historic Inglenook property in the Napa Valley. Her father was a renaissance man who helped establish this wine region and was Robert Mondavi’s mentor. Robin started her career at the Bank of America, and later went on to create Dominus, and Merryvale along with launching the first Auction Napa Valley. Today, she lives in a beautiful farmhouse with her husband, surrounded by a small vineyard on Howell Mountain. She finds great joy working with winemaker Philippe Melka on the Lail Vineyard wines. Discover her great story when you listen to this lovely conversation.
Meet Rachel Davies who is a vintner and proprietor of Stellareese handbags in the Napa Valley. Learn how she’s coping after being evacuated from her home because of the fires. Find out more about this talented entrepreneur, including how a position at T-Vine winery provided the perfect opportunity to start her own boutique wine brand. Learn how quality and craftsmanship are the cornerstones to both her businesses. Discover her connection to a Mediterranean island and the unique course of events that began her handbag business.
Meet chef Liza Hinman from Sonoma County. Learn how this business owner, wife and mother of three started her career as an editorial assistant at Gourmet magazine and is now the proprietor and chef of a restaurant and hotel. Discover the inspiration behind her popular restaurant and what makes it so unique. Learn the history of the Astro hotel which has been renovated with a mid-century design, and modern conveniences. Discover how Liza remains happy and grounded while having a successful work/life balance.
Joan Little is the proprietor of Little Vineyards Family Winery in Sonoma County. Joan’s family is rich in wine history; her grandfather is Julio Gallo. With no intention of working in the wine industry, she started her career at Bank of America, until she met man and found the perfect property in Sonoma County. Take a listen to this interview and learn her story.
Meet Amy Groth the co-proprietor of Prohibition Spirits in Sonoma, CA. Learn how growing up surrounded by entrepreneurial parents led her to start and run a successful event company, to creating and launching the first certified organic limoncello in California. Discover why this distilled spirit was the foundation the business was built on. Today, the company produces over 60 small batch products. Discover Amy’s favorite cocktail and learn how her fondness for the beach and ocean have impacted her personal life.
Meet Kate MacMurray the spokesperson for MacMurray Estate Vineyards in Sonoma County. Learn how she started her career as a fashion model in Los Angeles, and became the ambassador for a wine brand with her name. Discover what life was like for her growing up at MacMurray Ranch with parents who were successful actors. Find out what Kate enjoys most about working in the wine industry, and learn about the collection of short stories she writing in her free time.
Akiko Freeman is the proprietor of Freeman Vineyard & Winery in Sebastopol, CA. Learn how she dreamed of a career as a curator in a Museum, but an appreciation for wine eventually, led her to become a winemaker. Learn how she describes her winemaking style which is focused on chardonnay and pinot noirs. Find out how her wine ended up at the White House. Discover how she met her husband, how they picked their property in Sonoma County, and about the house they built.
Meet Tim Mondavi the proprietor of Continuum Estate in the Napa Valley. Enjoy this special Father's Day edition of our Wine Country Women podcast. It's a fun, insightful, and interesting show. Tim is the son of the legendary Robert Mondavi, and also the father of five. Learn about the man, his contribution to the wine industry, and what makes Continuum the wine you should be enjoying now and aging in your cellar!
Meet Nicole Hitchcock the winemaker at J Wines in Sonoma County. Discover how she started her career working in the wine cellar at Robert Mondavi before pursuing a career in winemaking. Learn about the top moment in her career (so far), and a newer wine project that is generating a lot of buzz. Find out how this woman, who grew up in Carmel, decided to live in Santa Rosa, and so much more!
Meet Daisy Damskey the proprietor of Palmeri Wines in Sonoma County. Learn what makes this wine unique. Find out how Daisy went from working in PR to becoming a winery owner. Discover why she decided to make Geyserville home even though she grew up in the Napa Valley.
Meet Erin Miller a California winemaker, wife and mother. Discover how she went from traveling the world with the Peace Corp to becoming an experienced winemaker and now, director of wine at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA. Find out how Erin first perfected her skills producing cabernet sauvignon in the Napa Valley before she became a pinot-file in Sonoma County. Learn about her winemaking style, how she chose to live in Healdsburg plus, an impressive hidden talent.
Meet Erica Stancliff the winemaker of Trombetta Family Wines in Sonoma County. She’s a California girl making wine for her family, and consulting for a few other wineries. Discover how the legendary Paul Hobbs influenced her career. Learn how she met her husband on a trip to Las Vegas, and what she likes most about Argentina and horses! All this and more when you take a listen to this show.
Meet Susan Tuck the proprietor of Chevoo, a marinated goat cheese company in Healdsburg, CA. Discover how Susan went from teaching first and second graders to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Learn the story behind creating the business including some of the challenges and innovation. Discover Susan’s love of chili and lemon, and honey and lime. Find out how this Australian landed in the United States, and why Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are on her list of favorite shopping spots!
Meet Amy Chenoweth the winemaker for Chenoweth Wines in Sonoma County. Discover how she went from art teacher to successful winemaker. Learn about her boutique wine brand which produces pinot noir, chardonnay and rose. Find out how you can taste her wines and go for a ride through the vineyard too. Learn everything Amy’s involved in including a new initiative called Regions. Find out about her personal life too, and the story behind her 25 year old marriage.
March is Women’s History Month so, our founder and president, Michelle Mandro is talking with some of her friends. This week, meet Cherie Melka who is the proprietor and vintner of Melka Estates. Cherie started her career as a micro biologist, and found fulfillment and happiness working in the wine industry. She met and married a successful French winemaker. Together, they started Melka Estate in 1996. Cherie helped build the brand from the ground up while her husband grew his consulting business. Cherie remains very involved in the business focusing on production and sales. Learn about the terroir driven Melka wines and why a “jumping goat” is important to the brand, and more.
March is Women’s History Month so, our founder and president, Michelle Mandro is talking with some of her friends. This week, meet winemaker Heidi Barrett who is also an artist, pilot and skier. Wine critic Robert Parker has awarded her wines 100 points five times. Learn about the moment she decided to study wine and become a winemaker. Find out about her work with Screaming Eagle and the story behind the 6-liter bottle that sold for half-a-million dollars at Auction Napa Valley. Discover which brands she is an independent winemaker for and why she’s doesn’t plan on taking on more clients. Learn about her wine brand Barrett and Barrett which she works on with her winemaker husband Bo. Get a personal description of her home and learn why it’s her oasis. Find out what she thought about the movie Bottle Shock and so much more.
March is Women’s History Month so, our founder and president, Michelle Mandro is talking with some of her friends. This week, meet Layla Fanucci who is an international artist and proprietor of Charter Oak Winery in St. Helena, and also a wife, mother and an exceptional cook! Layla started her career as a music teacher. After 25 years she made a change and became a successful self-taught artist. Learn how she developed a unique style all her own which involves cities around the world. Find out about her new clothing line, and what makes Charter Oak wines so unique.
Elizabeth Brown is the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, but also a wife, dog owner and hiker. Get to know this incredible woman who is successfully leading this organization. Discover how her team quickly pulled together to respond to the deadly 2017 fires. Learn the importance of their Resilience Fund, and find out how you can help. Discover what disaster philanthropy fatigue is, and what wines Elizabeth enjoys when she’s not working.
Meet chef Alicia Deal who was the primary food stylist on Wine Country Women of Sonoma County. Learn about her unique upbringing and what she enjoys most about living in the town of Sonoma, and much more!
Meet Karin Warnelius Miller who is a grape grower, winemaker and proprietor of Garden Creek Vineyards in Sonoma County. Discover how this Swedish woman found herself right at home in the Alexander Valley. Learn how this wife and mother, started working in the wine industry for Jean Charles Boisset before creating her own unique boutique wine brand. Learn how Karin spends her time off, and how you can get your hands on a few bottles of her incredible wine.
Alanna Hanson is the co-founder of Hanson of Sonoma, but also an experienced film professional. Learn how this California girl, and her family decided to build something different in wine country. Discover how they are on the forefront of organic spirits in the united states; making a wine based vodka. Next up is a four year old whiskey. Find out some personal fact on Alanna including details of her home which is described as northern California beach chic.
Meet Nicole Marino who is an entraprenuer in the Napa Valley. Find out how a vacation to wine country led this Boston woman to pack her bags and move west. Discover her unique perspective on life. Learn her story and find out the details of a favorite memory with chef Thomas Keller. After spending the last decade living in various towns around the Valley, find out why Napa is now the perfect place for her to call home.
Christine Hanna is the Proprietor and President of Hanna Winery. This California girl never thought she’d be running a winery one day. Discover how a career as a corporate event planner in the Silicon Valley, led her to working for the family business. Find out why they have two locations in Sonoma County, and what makes their sauvignon blanc so popular, they dedicate more than half of their inventory to this white wine. Chris has several proud accomplishments, but the standout moment was when Hanna Winery was on the cover of Wine Spectator. Learn what prompted her to live in the Healdsburg area, and why her home is reminiscent of an art gallery.
Meet Katie Bundschu who is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Gundlach Bundschu and Proprietor of Abbott’s Passage. Katie is a sixth generation vintner whose family owns the oldest winery in California. While she was born and raised in Sonoma; discover her unique career path in advertising and college athletics, before returning home to work for the family business. Find out why she started her own wine brand and how it’s carving out it’s own place in the competitive market.
Meet Kristen Stoller who owns several businesses in the Willamette Valley. She is also involved in the local community. Kristen’s family has deep roots in the region. Her grandfather’s construction company built some of the first iconic wineries in the area. Kristen is an Oregonian, but grew up in Greece, before moving back when she was in grade school. Today, she lives with her husband and three daughters in the Dundee Hills. Kristen is the co-founder of the Community Wellness Collective. Learn why she started this business who’s focus is on mental health, addiction and youth suicide solutions. Find out how the organization is changing the conversation and making a difference. Discover why this accomplished dancer decided to open two studios in the area. Enjoy all this and more, including learning her family's annual holiday traditions.
Meet Dena Grunt the CEO of Highway 1 Hospitality, but also a woman who is always up for a new adventure. Learn how Dena began her career at Nick’s Cove, a charming seaside resort in Tamales Bay, to run a successful hospitality business of restaurants, hotels, boats, and event space. Learn about a new property in Lake Tahoe previously owned by the Ferrari family for over sixty-years. Find out how Dena chose Petaluma as the place to call home and learn about her year in Brazil, her time behind the wheel of a race car, and so much more.
JoAnn Serafini is the Proprietor of Shibumi Knoll Vineyards. Discover how this upstate New Yorker landed in the Napa Valley owning a winery and living in a 1921 cottage. Learn how she started her career working with celebrities in the television industry before moving on to the world of advertising and telecommunications. Find out the meaning behind the wine brand and what makes it different from others in the area. Discover what this outdoor woman enjoys most when she has some free time, including the names of her favorite hiking spots.
Laurie Shelton is the proprietor of CAMi Vineyards, but also a wife, mother and artist. Learn how she began her career in the wine industry which evolved into creating a boutique wine brand. Discover the story behind the name of her wine and it's label, and who gave her wine a fantastic rating. Learn about her new space in Calistoga which combines her passions. Find out why she paints, and much more, including details about her home designed by famed architect Howard Backen.
Leslie Frank is the proprietor of Frank Family Vineyards in Calistoga. Discover how this former TV anchor/reporter started her career in Canada, but quickly landed in the United States. While she never thought she’d leave the news businesses, falling in love had her making a career change. Discover how she met her husband during a girls trip to the Napa Valley. Learn about their home nestled in the hills of Rutherford. Discover how she modernized the 1930s tutor house, but maintained its integrity. Enjoy learning about their art collection, and so much more.
Jodie Morlet is the proprietor and general manager of Morlet Family Vineyards and Morlet Selections in the Napa Valley. Discover how her first job as a tour guide at UCLA helped prepared her for the career she has today. Enjoy learning how she met her husband in France. Discover how the initial friendship and letter writing turned to marriage. Find out how she and her winemaker husband decided to pave their own path in California instead of working at his family’s winery business in Champagne, FR. Learn about the moment she enjoyed her first glass of champagne, and so much more!
Meet Jeni Olsen who is the founder and executive director of Teens Connect in Napa. Learn how this successful graphic designer became a teen activist who is changing the lives of kids. Find out how the organization helps kids with programs that supports, engages, and empowers them using a focus around art, wellness, peer mentoring and volunteer projects. Discover how this California girl found love in Idaho and how they decided to settle in Napa. Find out why Jeni thinks the rural feel mixed with culture and outdoor activities makes this the perfect place to live!
Sara Fowler is the Director of Winemaking and Vineyards at Peju and Calmere in the Napa Valley. She’s managing 6 vineyard properties and making 40-different wines between both brands. While she’s been a winemaker for 25-years, learn how her parents first introduced her to the business with beer. Learn how she started her wine career at Kendall-Jackson. Discover what makes Sara such a successful winemaker, and how she likes to spend her free time. Learn about her decorating style, entertaining tips and favorite hiking spots and so much more!
Ranko Anderson is the Proprietor of Kale Wines. Find out how a career in politics and banking helped prepare her to run a successful wine brand in the Napa Valley. Learn how Kale Wines differentiates itself from other wines by focusing on Rhone varietals. Learn all of this and more including how Ranko would spend her perfect day in the wine country.
Meet Tracy Vogt who is the proprietor of Charlie’s Acres an animal rescue organization in Sonoma, CA. Learn about her love for animals and how this initiative became so important to her. Find out why she chose to move to Sonoma, what’s ahead for her business, and how you can help. Discover how this vegan enjoys life in wine country and so much more.
Christina Sommers is the Proprietor of Deer Haven Farms nestled in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Learn how this woman from Louisiana ended up in the Willamette Valley. Find out the story behind her adult treehouse built by the Master, Pete Nelson from Animal Planet. Learn how you can stay in it and discover how Christina customizes each guests visit. Find out some of her favorite places in the area, and so much more.
Meet Julie Atwood who is a business owner and community preparedness activist in Sonoma County. She is a Californian who settled in Sonoma Valley in the 1980’s. Learn about the unique features of the 70-acre property including details of a 1850’s Sears catalogue house and other structures on the land. Find out how this experienced rancher uses her skills and experience to make a difference in the County. Learn all this and more when you listen to the interview.
Prema Behan is the Chief Operating Officer of a wine enterprise, but also a wife, mother and experienced jungle explorer. Discover the incredible story of this California woman who began working for successful entraprenuer Bill Price in 2000 and now runs his wine business and is an owner of a luxury winery. Discover how a great mentor, a rich culture and team environment led to her growth within his organization. Learn about her interest in historic preservation and how this played a part in her professional life too. Find out why Prema decided to live in Sonoma which she describes has a small town feel with a cosmopolitan vibe. Learn which unique characteristics of this charming town makes her feel right at home.
Gina Hennen is the winemaker at Adelsheim Winery in the Willamette Valley, but also a wife and mother. Learn how an opportunity to work harvest changed her career path from being a successful engineer. Discover why the mix of science and creativity is a satisfying combination. Learn about Gina's career path at Adelsheim which started as a cellar hand in 2007. Find out how her supportive husband helps her have the perfect work-life balance. Discover why Gina spent a year in Ireland and so much more.
Andrea Johnson is an award-winning photojournalist, but also enjoys adventure travel and yoga. Discover how this Oregonian woman whose family is rich is history started her career at Nike. Learn how the experience working in corporate America shaped the future of her career. With successful entrepreneurial parents; it may be no surprise she decided to start her own business. Find out how Andrea enjoys pushing the limits to tell a story with images. Discover how she sees beyond the ordinary; to capture the extraordinary. With a demanding work schedule; find out why she’s excited to be the photographer for Wine Country Women of Willamette Valley.
Annie Shull is the Proprietor and Director of National Sales, Marketing and Distribution of Raptor Ridge Winery, but also a dedicated civic leader and meditation instructor. Learn the unique path this Minnesota woman took to begin a career in the wine industry. Find out what makes her winery a little more special than most in the area. Discover why Oregon’s Pinot Camp is so important to her and learn why she routinely locks her cell phone in the car plus, so much more.
Susan Sokol Blosser is a pioneering entrepreneur, civic leader, visionary, author and, the matriarch of Sokol Blosser Winery and is from one of the four families who founded the Willamette Valley wine region. Learn about Susan's first career in education before pursuing a new career path when she landed in Oregon with her husband. Discover how their winery received world recognition as the first to be sustainable and LEED certified. Find out what Susan is doing today to make Yamhill County a national culinary destination. Discover some of her hobbies including one that is entertaining and fun and, just for her enjoyment!
Meet Taylor Serres who oversees the agriculture division of her families business, Serres Corporation . Learn how this Sonoma Valley girl was born and raised on her families Ranch and still calls it home today. Discover the history of her home and how her shabby chic farmhouse style works perfectly with mounted animal heads. Find out why she doesn’t mind being called a tomboy. Learn why the Fourth of July is so special in Sonoma County and why its her favorite holiday. Find out while she went to school for winemaking; she actually enjoys a specialty gin and tonic cocktail and Vietnam beer when she can find the right products.
Lauren Belden is a passionate branding expert and co-founder of Belden Barns in Sonoma County. She is also a wife and mother of two. Lauren is a New Yorker who is happy to now call California home. She spends her week living in San Francisco and weekends at their winery. Her most exhilarating, rewarding and exhausting job, is raising her children. While Lauren developed a career in the branding world; she enjoys working with her husband on their wine business. Learn about their big plans plus, the story behind a wishing tree that graces their property.
Remi Cohen is the Chief Operating Officer of Lede Family Wines, but also an accomplished dancer and music enthusiast. Discover why this New Yorker decided to go to college on the west coast. Learn how an opportunity to be a harvest intern led to a career in the wine industry. Find out how she spends her days; even though no two are alike. Learn how she likes to enjoy a day off in the Napa Valley and so much more.
Marla Bedrosian is the Proprietor of Domaine de la Riviere in Sonoma County. Find out how this hospitality professional from New York decided to get into the California wine business. Discover how this bi-coastal woman is able to keep a good work/life balance while successfully being a wife and mother.
Monica Stevens is the Founder and CEO of Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch and Co-Proprietor of 750 Wines, but also a woman who lives a life of purpose. Monica grew up and lived in Chicago until she moved to the Napa Valley in 2006. Her first job was Inns Keeper at the quaint Poetry Inn nestled in the hills above Yountville. Learn how she met her husband and together created two successful businesses. Discover what makes 750 Wines a unique place to taste wines and learn it’s connection to Screaming Eagle. Find out how Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch feeds Monica’s soul and how a capital campaign will help build out the Ranch, but also provide a footprint for other facilities across the country.
Duskie Estes is a celebrity chef on the Food Network, restaurateur and farmer, but also a woman who likes to make everyone happy! Duskie is a California girl who grew up in San Francisco. She developed an appreciation for great food at an early age while dining at some of the country’s best restaurants. Learn how this Brown University graduate planned to pursue a career in law, but was drawn to follow a different path. Find out how Duskie ended up working in Seattle with Share our Strength. Discover who influenced her career path and how she successfully created a booming culinary business in Sonoma County with a lot of fans.
Stacie Elkhoury is an Entrepreneur with a few successful companies; surprisingly not one related to the wine industry. She is also a wife and mother of four. Learn how she juggles it all and still has time and energy to go out! Find out where she developed her great work ethic and who influenced her most and showed her how to have work/life balance. Discover how this woman from Ohio landed in Sonoma and is happy to call it home. Learn how Stacie describes her life in wine country and how she became a wine expert too.
Julia Allen is the Founder and Creative Director of Folia Design in Napa, but also practices yoga and is a baker. Discover how this woman from Chicago, who is an experienced brand strategist, print, packaging and digital design professional, landed in California. Find out how she enjoys working for a variety of clients from restaurants to wineries. Discover why Julia takes a deep sense of pride and ownership in each project. Learn more about her professional process and personal life and why Wine Country Women was so happy to work with her on their logo! This and so much more…
Meet Heather Patz a Founder of Patz & Hall. She grew up in Oregon, but moved to California in the early 1980s. She has lived in a few wine regions, but is happy to now call Sonoma County home. Find out what makes this area a perfect place for her. Discover what she learned from consumers after working in the tasting room for twenty-five years. Find out why she is spending more time in the kitchen and outdoors.
Meet Karen Crouse who is the Proprietor of Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards in the Napa Valley. Find out how her New Orleans roots continues to influence her life today. Discover after a lengthy career with American Express why she decided to become a grape grower. Learn about her creative approach to the wine business and how she can help you create your own personal wine brand.
A conversation with Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and Peggy Noe Stevens. Suzanne owns a premium boutique wine brand in the Napa Valley and recently released her first batch of bourbon. Peggy is the World's first female Master Bourbon Taster, founder of Bourbon Women and a woman whose family is rich in bourbon history. Her cousins are Fred and Booker Noe of Jim Beam. Find out why Suzanne decided to get in the bourbon business and what Peggy thinks about this Tennessee whiskey bourbon...and, so much more.
Meet Clarice Turner who is the President of Joseph Phelps Winery. Discover while she has been surrounded by grapes and wine her whole life, this is the first time she’s worked for a winery. Learn how her entrepreneurial spirit and China significantly affected her life and brought this Californian back home. Learn what she enjoys most about running a successful family owned business and what makes their flagship wine so special each year. Discover how she found the perfect home after several years of searching for it and why she never plans to leave.
Sara Scott is a self-taught chef in the Napa Valley. Learn how working for a prominent couple in the wine industry provided her with several wonderful opportunities and helped boost her career. Discover what she has seen and experienced living in wine country for 40-years. Find out Sara’s advice for those who want to work in the culinary industry. Learn what this southerner enjoys doing in her free time and what her favorite restaurant is right now in Napa.
Christine A. Moore is the featured Milner of the Kentucky Derby! A Milner is someone who designs, makes or sells women’s hats. Christine is one of the best in our country. She has found her niche in the horse racing industry, but she makes hats for all occasions. She’s designing a few hats for some Wine Country Women attending the Kentucky Oaks. Find out how Christine started her career and where she gets her inspiration for her designs. Discover how a man and a successful Milner working on Broadway in New York City changed her life forever. We caught up with Christine at Rodes in Louisville, KY where you can find her beautiful hats.
Molly Hill is the Vintner and Winemaker at GRO Wines after being at Sequoia Grove Winery for nearly 20-years where she produced 19 different wines. She is also a wife and mother. Discover how a conversation with a friend changed her career course. Find out what she likes most about being a winemaker in the Napa Valley. Learn what Wine Spectator recently had to say about one of her wines. Learn what she has in common with her husband and what event she enjoys attending most in the Valley and more.
Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko’s family is rich in Napa Valley history. She grew up in Yountville and is fifth generation. Find out how Kendall’s first professional job at the French Laundry restaurant prepared her for success in wine and hospitality. Learn which wine industry women mentor her and still help her today to incorporate work-life balance. Discover how she spends her days as the Business Manager at Napa Wine Company, one of the first custom crush businesses in the area. Learn about Kendall’s 1950 farm house and why she and her husband took a hand gun training course and so much more.
Julie Johnson is the Proprietor and Winemaker of Tres Sabores located in Rutherford. Learn how this Columbia University graduate had a career in nursing before she started a wine brand in the Napa Valley. Discover which successful women in the wine industry helped guide and mentor her career. Discover why it’s important to Julie to be a good steward of the land. Learn about her connection to Frog’s Leap Winery and find out how Tres Sabores got it’s name.
Lauren Ackerman is the Proprietor of Ackerman Family Vineyards and the owner of a beautiful restored Victorian in downtown Napa. Learn about her first career in software technology and how a surprise land purchase in 1994 changed her life forever. Discover the unique tasting experiences you can enjoy at the Victorian. Learn about Lauren’s love for boats, cars and horses and, so much more.
Karen Fontanella is a native Californian. Learn how this lawyer who practiced in San Francisco and Napa decided to get into the wine business. Find out the three major setbacks her winery and vineyards have over-come. Discover how resilience and perseverance has led to a bright future ahead.
Suzanne Phifer Pavitt is the Proprietor of Phifer Pavitt Wines. Find out how this biscuit making southerner developed a passion for wine and landed in the Napa Valley. Learn how she uses wine to make an ordinary meal extraordinary. Discover which women in the wine industry inspire her. Find out what extra-special tiny production products she produces and how you can get your hands on them.
Maryam Ahmed is from upstate New York, but her dreams came true when she moved to the Napa Valley in 2015. Learn how she landed a position with the Culinary Institute of America and how she hopes to position the Copia campus as an industry and thought leader. Discover some of her favorite exhibits including the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum featuring items from his life which spanned nearly 100 years. Find out why she chose to live in the town of Napa and what she enjoys most about it.
Valerie Kelleher is a native Californian. Her family has been grape growers in the Napa Valley for several decades and has owned a popular local restaurant for more than 20-years. Today, Valerie successfully runs both businesses plus, a wine brand with some help from her sister. Learn about a unique wine tasting experience she created. Discover what new Kelleher Family Vineyard varietals will be released this year. Learn what outdoor activities Valerie enjoys most and find out her secret to entertaining at home.
Elan Fayard is from the west coast, but learn how a trip to Bordeaux changed her life forever. Discover the love story which led her to the Napa Valley. Today, she is a wife, mother and business woman. Find out what she enjoys most about living in wine country while working hard to successfully manage a few wine brands. Learn what advice she offers those who want to work in the wine industry.
Jennifer McPherson has the best of both worlds; a home in bustling Los Angeles and another on a working ranch in the Napa Valley. Discover how a romantic getaway and marriage led to the unique story behind the premium wine brand she started with her husband. Find out how Oprah played a part in her business. Discover how this natural fashionista brought a little French flare to the country and what she has planned for the future.
Kathryn Sculatti was born and raised in the Napa Valley, but her parents didn’t work in the wine industry. Discover how she developed an appreciation for great wine especially, older vintages. Learn how this accomplished opera singer finds satisfaction teaching Spanish. Find out the details of a new limited production premium wine brand she created with her husband. And discover why this new mother enjoys singing to her son, but also to barrels full of aging wine.
Irma Robinson grew up in the San Francisco bay area, worked for Microsoft in Australia before landing in Napa where she met her husband. Learn how this multi-talented woman decided to start her own business; first a catering company and then a restaurant. Discover what makes her cafes so popular with locals and tourist. Also, learn how Irma spends her time away from work.
Kari Auringer grew up in Wisconsin, but left looking for a new adventure. She worked in the advertising industry before she caught the wine bug which brought her to the Napa Valley in 2001. Discover how Kari became a sought-after winemaker for a few premium brands. Learn about her extensive art collection and what she enjoys most about her home.
Lindsay Hoopes is the General Manager of Hoopes Vineyard, but also a world traveler with a law degree. Learn about this multi-talented woman and how she was a successful homicide prosecutor in San Francisco before she decided to run her families ultra-premium boutique winery in Oakville. Find out after visiting 72 countries, which she enjoys most and why. Discover why Ireland will always be one of her favorite places.
Suzanne Truchard grew-up in Miami, attended Harvard and now lives in the city of Napa. Find out how her plans to work in the Financial District in San Francisco changed when she went wine tasting in the Napa Valley. Learn why yoga and exercise is important to this wife and mother who is also a successful real estate broker and lawyer. Discover Suzanne’s favorite restaurant and how her decorating style incorporates a little spice into her mid-century home.
Lusine Hartunian was born in Armenia but has spent most of her life in California. She is a wife and mother of three who moved to Napa in 2013. Learn about the two premium lifestyle companies she owns and operates with her husband; each offering unique, high quality products. Find out how they made a craft distillery successful in wine country and how their Napastak brand is expanding. Discover what Lusine does at home to makes every gathering memorable and why living in the Napa Valley for her is like being on vacation every day.
Elizabeth Binder was born and raised in South Africa, but now calls Napa home. She is a Chef with an impressive career including working for Nelson Mandela. Find out how food has always been an important part of her life, even when she was growing up. Learn how she runs a successful catering company where she places great care and thought into creating each menu. Discover who she married and how her home is a reflection of her heritage and much more.
Violet Grgich is the President of Grgich Hills Estate, but also an accomplished musician, avid reader and world traveler. Learn about all the different roles she’s held at the winery and how she approached each one with an objective to learn something new. Discover some of the changes this Napa Valley native has seen over the years. And, learn how she would spend a day off and, why the song, “You are My Sunshine” means so much to her.
Shannon Staglin grew up in the Napa Valley and talks about the changes she’s seen over the past 30 years. She’s a wife, a mother of two and President of Staglin Family Vineyards. Learn how she balances it all. Plus, the steps she took to get where she is today and what she enjoys most about working for the family business. Find out who some of her closest friends are and why an annual Music Festival for Mental Health is so important to the Staglin family.
Ashley Keever was born in California, but grew up in Germany before calling Napa Valley home. She works at her families boutique winery, Keever Vineyards in Yountville. Find out what she does in her free time, including yoga with her daughter to dining at her favorite restaurants. Learn about her decorating and entertaining style and, discover which popular super model she hosted at the winery and much more!