Wine Hosts

Step aboard for a truly unforgettable experience hosted by Heidi Rasmussen, Director of DTC Sales and Hospitality at Concannon Vineyard, one of California’s most historic and celebrated wineries. With over 17 years of leadership, Heidi has been a driving force behind Concannon’s recognition as Best Winery in the Bay Area, while also serving on the Boards of both the Livermore Valley Wine Association and the Livermore Chamber of Commerce. A WSET Level II Sommelier with deep roots in hospitality and a passion for global travel, Heidi brings warmth, expertise, and a spirit of adventure to everything she does.

Founded in 1883 by Irish immigrant James Concannon, Concannon Vineyard is a cornerstone of the California wine industry. James recognized the Livermore Valley’s unique terroir—similar to Bordeaux’s famed Médoc—and introduced pioneering viticulture practices to the region. As one of the first to import vines from Bordeaux’s First Growth châteaux, Concannon helped shape the future of American wine. Today, over 142 years later, Concannon continues to produce the Bordeaux-style red and white wines that made it legendary, staying true to its legacy of excellence and innovation.

Whether you’re a wine lover, history buff, or just someone who enjoys the finer things in life, this river cruise is the perfect opportunity to explore extraordinary wines, connect with like-minded travelers, and experience the heart of wine country—with Heidi as your passionate guide. Sip, sail, and savor the story of Concannon.

Ray Schnorr and Jeannine O’Brien are co-owners and co-winemakers at Highland Valley Vineyards, a boutique winery perched in Highland Valley overlooking the San Pasqual Valley in the foothills of San Diego, California. They began making wine as amateurs at their home in Rancho Bernardo and quickly scored numerous awards and accolades, spurring them to acquire their property in 2007. They became active in local winemaking groups, took classes from UC Davis, planted their estate vineyards and designed and built their craftsman-style winery. Jeannine earned a Certificate in the Business of Wine at San Diego State University and the level 1 sommelier designation from the Court of Masters. Ray led the San Diego County Vintners Association for two years as president.

Winegrapes have enjoyed a home for nearly a century in peaceful Highland Valley. Below the traditional craftsman-style winery, French Bordeaux varieties grow hillside in deeply draining decomposed granite, enjoying daily coastal breezes and cool nights. With this estate fruit and others carefully selected, they blend old craft with new techniques to hand style award-winning small lot red and white wines with character and distinction.

Winemaker Travis Clark first fell in love with wine in the village of Urbnisi, Georgia where he was living abroad teaching English. Upon returning to the US, wine slowly grew from a hobby into a profession. Travis attended the Northwest Wine Academy, interned at JM Cellars in Woodinville for the 2016 harvest, and became head winemaker at Amos Rome Vineyards in 2017. He's recently completed the WSU Viticulture Certificate program.

Briana wasn't a big fan of wine until she studied abroad in Argentina, where a glass of Malbec quickly became her drink of choice. She manages the tasting room, the wine club, and the calendar - and also helps out in the winery wherever Travis needs her; as a taster, a marketer, a grape sorter, a logistics coordinator, and a salesperson. She works full-time in radar sales for Echodyne. When they're not working, you can find them with their three kids enjoying all that Lake Chelan has to offer.

Carol Shelton has had an illustrious 48-year career in the wine industry. While getting her Enology degree from UC Davis, Carol worked with Dr. Ann Noble, the developer of the famed Wine Aroma Wheel, now used around the globe to help people find a common language when describing wine. As one of the first few women to receive her BS in Enology in 1978, Carol worked for Robert Mondavi, Saltram’s in Australia’s Barossa Valley, and at Buena Vista, where she was mentored by the great Andre Tchelistcheff.

As Winemaker for Windsor Vineyards from 1981 till 2000, her wines drew great acclaim, and she earned the title of “Most Awarded Winemaker in America” as well as “Winemaker of the Year” five times. Carol left Windsor in early 2000 to form Carol Shelton Wines with her husband, Mitch Mackenzie. Their goal is to craft small lots from vineyards that she carefully selects as the best expression of varietal style, with both Zinfandel and Rhône wines as both a focus and a passion. She continues to draw acclaim, earning 90+ scores consistently, winning many Gold+ medals and Best of Show awards. She has been named “Winemaker of the Year” a record eleven times, and her wines have been featured in the annual Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines of the World” four times in the past ten years and in the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 list last year. Carol is a highly sought-after wine educator who is warm and down-to-earth, who loves to share her delicious wines with others.

Since the Harvest of 1975, Bob Lindquist has been working in the wine business. At the young age of 22 years his first job was working as a “cellar rat” for a small family winery near Gilroy CA. On his days off he explored the up-and-coming wineries of Santa Barbara County and fell in love with the area. This led to a job with Zaca Mesa Winery in Los Olivos in 1979 as the winery’s very first tour guide.

In 1982, while still at Zaca Mesa, Bob founded his first winery, Qupé Wine Cellars. Qupé became one of the early pioneers of Rhone varietals in California, with a focus on Syrah. Bob also made Chardonnay from Santa Barbara grapes to “pay the bills”. In 1989, Bob and Jim Clendenen partnered to build their own winery at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, which they called CLV (short for Clendenen Lindquist Vintners).

In 2018, Bob started his own eponymous brand, Lindquist Family Wines, still focusing on Rhone varietals and Chardonnay. Bob’s wife, Louisa Sawyer Lindquist is also a winemaker, with a focus on Iberian varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon under the brand name Verdad.

Bob’s lifetime accolades in the field of winemaking are numerous and notable, including:

• First President of the Santa Barbara Vintners – 1983
• Founding member of The Rhone Rangers – 1988
• Winemaker of the Year from the Central Coast Winegrowers – 1994
• “One of the World’s 50 most Influential Winemakers” Wine & Spirits Magazine

The Cinquain Cellars owner and winemaker, David Nagengast, graduated from the Fresno State University Enology program in 1985 with the dream of someday having his own vineyard and winery. In 2000, the search for the perfect site culminated in the purchase of a small hillside property, overlooking Hog Canyon and the Estrella River basin from 1000-ft elevation, in the Northeast area of the Paso Robles Estrella Appellation. In 2002, the 14-acre vineyard was planted with 10,000 vines including nine different Bordeaux, Rhône, and Port varieties. In 2007, the construction of their simple 1200 square-foot winery was completed. And now, after nearly 40 years of making wines professionally for a variety of small and medium sized wineries in Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Clara County, and Oregon, the culmination of this dream is evident with the establishment of Nagengast Estate Vineyard, Cinquain Cellars and the availability of 1500 cases annually.

Pattie and Mark’s story began at the University of Minnesota in 1985. They married and started a family while dreaming of becoming orchard farmers. From a tandem bicycle trip through Europe with their 2-year-old daughter, their vision of an orchard morphed into a vineyard. They moved to Oregon in 2005 to chase their vineyard dream. Within months, they discovered a picturesque 107-acre farm in the Eola-Amity Hills and transformed it into a flourishing vineyard. Their passion was bolstered by viticulture classes at Chemeketa Community College and Pattie’s invaluable internship at Bethel Heights Vineyard. Amid forests and streams, the reality of Björnson Vineyard lives as they craft award-winning wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Blanc, blending their love for nature with their expertise. Björnson is the first and only vineyard in the Western Hemisphere to grow and produce the ancient variety Gouais Blanc. What started as a casual conversation about life goals in the ‘80s evolved into a legacy of fine wines and a testament to their shared dreams.

Stuart, a fifth generation Sacramento Valley California farmer and Dolores from the Sierra Nevada studied agriculture at Chico State University. They, with the help of neighbors and friends, planted their first acre of grapes in 1993 on land purchased fifty years earlier by Dolores’ grandparents.

Brice Station Vineyards finds its name from the Brice Station stagecoach stop, where passengers and freight from the coast were brought to the mountains. At an elevation of 3280 feet, the vineyard is the highest in California’s goldrush region. The characteristic late bud break of Bordeaux varieties helps to avoid spring frost damage. The vineyard acreage was increased in 1996, and the additional yields were sold locally and to Napa Valley winemakers. In 2001, after winning homemade wine competitions, they opened a tasting room in an abandoned fallout shelter built during the Cuban missile crisis by Dolores’ father, Paul Quyle. Customers enjoy the cozy shelter in winter, and the flower gardens and patio spring through fall.

Twelve years ago the business expanded to include summer music concerts, outdoor Shakespeare productions, weddings, and local fundraising events.

Both Stuart and Dolores believe in the positive results gained by travel. They have hosted over 100 young adults on the farm, starting in 1989 with a Danish exchange student, and continue to host students, called Wwoofers, through the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms program.

Brian's journey into winemaking began surprisingly when, after a visit to a working winery in 2007, he announced his new passion. With determination and a drive that Brandee likens to being "half Golden Retriever and half Freight Train," Brian immersed himself in learning the craft. His dedication paid off as their wine production grew from two barrels in 2009 to five in 2010. Whirlwind would describe the next year - marriage, the purchase and remodel of a 1926 home and building a winery in the basement. The name "Structure Cellars" itself was born during the chaos of home renovation, reflecting the strong foundation they were building - both personally and in wine.

Fast forward to present, Structure Cellars has grown significantly and earning numerous accolades, including multiple scores of 92 and 93 points and the title of the most awarded winery in 2023 by Sip Magazine's "Best of the Northwest.". With three locations in Seattle and Tacoma, they continue to produce wine in Washington State, a place they cherish. Grateful for the journey so far, they look forward to future adventures, inviting others to join them in celebrating love, wine, and the beautiful moments shared along the way.

Dane is an internationally experienced winemaker with nearly 24 harvests on his resume. Originally from South Africa, he earned a degree in enology and pomology from The University of Stellenbosh before producing wines for various wineries throughout the world including South Africa, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, California, Missouri, and Texas.

Working in different environments and using a vast range of machinery has given Dane the experience to build a state-of-the-art winery and the confidence to bring lesser-known grape varietals to the forefront.

He looks forward to introducing you to his wines and meeting new fellow wine enthusiasts.

Trey remembers his very first concert like if was yesterday (Helix, Keel, and Accept at the Omni in Atlanta in 1984 if you are wondering). His love of music, especially Pearl Jam, is one of the reasons he ended up in the Pacific NW. After moving to Seattle in 1992 and working for Nordstrom for 8 years, Trey was offered the chance to move his family to Walla Walla and get into the wine business with the Dunham Cellars family. Eric Dunham, the winemaker and owner of Dunham Cellars, gave Trey the foundation for his winemaking and philosophy. Trey fell in love with the winemaking process on the first day of crush in September of 2000, and that journey led him to Sleight of Hand Cellars.

Trey is in charge of, and oversees, the winemaking, keeping his finger on the pulse of what is happening in the vineyards and cellar. He also shares the sales and marketing duties with Jerry, traveling to far-away places to spread the Sleight of Hand love around the country. Trey also is a world-renowned Air Guitar player, and will often be found at a local karaoke bar belting out Tom Petty or Pearl Jam. He has the most amazing wife in Holly, and three amazing daughters that he loves more than anything, and can't believe how lucky he is to have ended up in this business with Jerry and Sandy.

Dehlinger is a small, independent, family-owned winery with a five-decade history of growing and producing wines from its estate vineyard in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. As Director of Hospitality, Greg Johnson seeks to share both the wine and the rich history of Dehlinger Estate. A fifth-generation Sonoma County native, Greg’s passion for wine and food has a long history. Following a 30-year career in education, he began working and consulting for a number of small independent wineries before joining the Dehlinger team in 2022.

At Stoller, their roots run deep. The family established the property in 1943 and the vineyard 50 years later. Over the last 30 years, the team has patiently transformed the 400-acre property into the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon’s Dundee Hills. Much has changed from the original Stoller family farm, but two things remain constant: a pioneering spirit and commitment to their farm. The team continuously seeks new ways to refine and protect its legacy so that it can thrive for generations to come. Stoller’s winery was the first in the world to receive LEED Gold certification, attesting that their winery is sustainably built and environmentally friendly. Stoller takes pride in their B Corp, LIVE, and Salmon-Safe certifications, knowing they back their values with actions when it comes to their commitment to their land, wines, and community. Leading the charge for the past 11 years is President Gary Mortensen. His career spans more than 22 years of senior leadership in the Oregon wine industry, coupled with a decade as a start-up veteran. As a devoted historian, he is committed to preserving and sharing our nation’s diversity and heritage. Gary’s passion for innovation and pushing boundaries has earned Stoller a reputation for excellence that consistently earns the family-owned winery a place on the USA Today 10Best Tasting Rooms Reader’s Choice poll and 2023 Best Winery by Willamette Week’s Best of Portland. In 2022, Gary was named one of the Portland Business Journal’s Executives of the Year, and one of Wine Business Month’s Top Leaders.

Bryan Ulbrich, affectionately nicknamed "Left Foot Charley" as a child, discovered winemaking while pursuing a Master's in American Indian Law and Policy at the University of Arizona. Drawn back to Northern Michigan, where he met his wife Jen, Bryan began his journey as a "cellar rat" on Old Mission Peninsula in 1995, quickly establishing himself as a celebrated young winemaker. In 2004, inspired by his connection with small, passionate grape growers, Bryan founded Left Foot Charley to highlight single vineyard wines from Northern Michigan’s unique microclimates. By 2007, he and Jen opened their winery in Traverse City’s Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Today, Left Foot Charley partners with 18 growers, most cultivating less than two acres. The region’s glacial history, diverse soils, and lake-effect climate shape the distinct flavors of their cool-climate varietals, including Riesling, Kerner, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Blaufränkisch, along with traditional and charmat sparkling wines. T he array of small northern Michigan vineyards sought out and selected by Bryan each have unique microclimates and the resulting wine produces a diverse potential of flavors. Their wines have earned accolades from The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and Food & Wine. Bryan’s expertise has been praised by Jancis Robinson and Madeline Triffon, and he’s recognized as a top white wine producer by the New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia.

Peter Neptune is one of only 269 individuals in the World to hold the wine industry's most prestigious title: Master Sommelier. He is a 35-year veteran of the wine business, beginning as a sommelier in New York City, where he trained and worked for 10 years. Upon returning to his native California, Peter entered into Wine Education full time, and has established a nationwide reputation as one of the premier wine educators in the USA.

In addition to his MS Diploma, Peter holds the title of Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators (for which he was recognized with the Banfi Award for Excellence in 2003), holds a Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London, and is an Associate of the Institute of Wines and Spirits. He also holds the credential French Wine Scholar, with Highest Honors.

Peter is one of the teaching Masters at the Court of Master Sommelier Intro and Advanced Courses, and is an examiner at the Certified, Advanced, and Master Sommelier Examinations.

In 2003 Peter began the first WSET school in Southern California. Currently, Neptune School of Wine administers the WSET Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Diploma Certification programs, as well as the French and Spanish Wine Scholar programs and exams. To date he has taught over 1,500 students at the various levels. Neptune School is proud to be celebrating over 20 years as a WSET APP!

The story of how owners Dee and Todd Krivoshein entered the wine business is true kismet. Both grew up in small towns in families with farming backgrounds—the values of hard work, respecting the earth, and building community were instilled from a young age. Todd’s wine journey began during his teenage years, helping his uncle with his small winery in Walla Walla. This background laid the foundation for what was to come.

Dee and Todd first discovered Page Cellars in the early 2000s—they were drawn to the robust house wine style and the energy of an urban working winery. They became club members and eventually cellar volunteers, with Todd often helping founder Jim Page in the winery. Fast forward to 2021, New Year’s Day. The couple was looking to establish a family business and create a legacy for their children, and Todd was considering his next career step. Dee stumbled upon a local winery listed for sale; they suspected the listing to be Page Cellars---- and the rest is history.

Although not a part of their original plans, owning a winery was a natural step for Dee and Todd. The Krivoshein household was always a hub for entertaining, and hosting winery guests became a natural extension. The couple’s decision to establish their business in the Woodinville Warehouse District was an intentional one. They wanted to create something hands-on and immersive, a working winery where they could share the winemaking process.

Utopia Vineyard and Winery is a family-owned producer of small-lot, handcrafted wines specializing in world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Perfectly situated at an elevation of 500 feet in the heart of the Ribbon Ridge American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon, Utopia consists of 16.8 acres of contiguous South-facing hillsides in one of the most prestigious wine growing regions in the United States.

Owner & Winemaker Dan Warnshuis discovered Oregon Pinot Noir early in his wine journey while working in the technology sector of Silicon Valley and living in Napa Valley. The raw beauty of the Willamette Valley wine country and his increasing love for Pinot Noir ultimately drove Dan to go looking for the perfect place for his own wine making endeavors. In 2000, the Utopia Estate Vineyard was born. Utopia produced its first commercial vintage in 2006 with 413 cases of Estate Pinot Noir. Utopia is a family enterprise. Wife Kathy Warnshuis handles operations and behind the scenes affairs. Dan and Kathy’s daughter Erin manages the winery’s marketing and hospitality.

Today the Utopia produces four Estate Pinot Noirs, each a distinct blend of different clones from the Estate Vineyard, an Estate Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir Rose, and a Pinot Noir Blanc every year, along with several other single vineyard varietals. All the practices at Utopia are designed to support Sustainable Organic Farming which lends itself to high quality fruit production annually. Utopia Vineyards received its L.I.V.E. Certification in 2008 and has since been committed to following international standards of sustainable viticulture including dry farming.

Growing up in a winemakers household within the Walla Walla Valley, Cameron had a great deal of exposure into the world of wine and winemaking. His father, Cliff Kontos of Fort Walla Walla Cellars, is a remarkable mentor and is always excited to share his knowledge of life and of wine. Cliff is easily the most important influence on Cameron’s life; as a winemaker, husband, father, and a man. It didn’t take long before he realized that this was his calling and his lifelong connection to his father.

In 2002 he joined Forgeron Cellars, and quickly became a part of their family. After a short time, Cameron was promoted to assistant winemaker. During his eight years there, Marie-Eve Gilla helped further his knowledge of crafting wines in a traditional French style. He and Marie still compare notes and enjoy a treasured friendship to this day.

Cameron’s own style of winemaking has evolved and matured with time. The blending of the Alatus is of primary importance. He then focuses on blending wines within the same varietial but from various vineyards throughout the Walla Walla Valley. A very extensive oak program gives him the finishing finesse that make Kontos Cellars wines stand proud.

Ab Astris, meaning ‘of the stars’ in Latin, is a family owned and operated boutique winery. Owners and Co-Founders Erin and Tony Smith opened Ab Astris with their daughter and son-in-law, Co-Founder Kristen and Co- Founder and Winemaker Mike Nelson. As a family-owned winery, we are passionately committed to crafting exceptional wines sourced from the finest 100% Texas-grown fruit. Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, our 12-acre vineyard, planted between 2018 and 2019, showcases a meticulously curated selection of varietals, including four acres of Tannat, two acres of Souzao, two acres of Clairette Blanche, two acres of Petite Syrah, and two acres of Montepulciano. Ab Astris is proud be the recipient of many awards including numerous gold medals from the San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition, one of Texas Monthly’s Top Texas Wines of the Year 2024, and more. When visiting the winery, guests can enjoy our award-winning wines, numerous tasting experiences, and our idyllic setting.

Established in 2002, Sojourn Cellars produces highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. We source fruit from celebrated vineyards in both Sonoma and Napa Valley, where we work closely with vineyard owners who use world-class growing methods for cultivating grapes of the highest quality. Our hands-off winemaking style allows the character and personality of these special vineyard sites to shine through in the finished wines.
Randy Bennett started as Sojourn’s Assistant Winemaker in 2008. He is now responsible for making all the Sojourn wines and overseeing cellar operations and vineyard management activities. He works closely with our growers and cellar crew to achieve Erich’s vision for the wines each vintage. Randy is also Sojourn’s General Manager, running the day-to-day operations of our production, marketing, and business operations. Randy’s introduction to winemaking came under the tutelage of Thomas Brown and Mike Smith while working in the wine caves of Nicholson Ranch in Sonoma. Randy was introduced to the art of making distinctive high-end wines during his time helping Thomas and Mike, as they produced wines for Schrader Cellars, Rivers-Marie, Myriad Cellars, Tamber Bey, and Nicholson Ranch.

Andrew Backlin is the Head Winemaker at Modales Wines, located along the shores of Lake Michigan in Fennville. A native of Northern California’s wine country, Andrew brought his West Coast experience to the Midwest in 2018 to help launch Modales, where he’s been crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines ever since. Formally trained in Napa and Lake County, Andrew has a deep background in both traditional and innovative winemaking. But it was his travels through Germany and Austria that truly shaped his vision. Inspired by the crisp, expressive wines and the deep cultural connection to farming in those regions, Andrew saw in Michigan a climate and landscape that could bring those old-world styles to life in a new context. At Modales, he produces wines that reflect the soul of Central Europe—dry Rieslings, refined Pinot-style reds, and aromatic whites—drawing direct influence from the very regions explored on the Romantic Danube cruise. Many of the same grape varieties are planted in the Modales estate vineyards, and his winemaking approach is rooted in the time-honored techniques found in the historic cellars of Germany, Austria, and Northern Italy. Now raising his three children in Michigan, Andrew has fully embraced the region’s beauty and potential, and continues to lead a movement toward low-intervention and organic winegrowing in the Midwest."

Barbieri Wine Company was founded in 2005 by Master Sommelier Paolo Barbieri. Paolo's exposure to the world's wine inspired him to start making small (experimental) lots from Santa Barbara County in his garage in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. The small wine press used in his initial batches can still be found in his tasting room today. During the early development of Barbieri Wine Company, Paolo used his experience and expertise to master his own wine making process. Paolo always loved the central coast for its wines, and soon began crafting them in Buellton, CA, while commuting back to Las Vegas.

Erin Kempe's career in the culinary world started back in her home state of Texas where she worked in several restaurants, which helped to develop her love for food and wine. A move to Las Vegas brought her to work with culinary masters and James Beard winners like Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys, Rick Moonen of RM Seafood, Wolfgang Puck of Cut and Spago and Shawn McClain of Sage. Together with Paolo, she created a new label under her name, KEMPE which focuses on Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, some Bordeaux Blends, with a Rose' and white blend as well.

In 2014, Paolo and Erin decided "roll the dice" and go "all in" to pursue wine making full-time, and left Las Vegas to open their tasting room in Los Olivos.

Nestled in the rolling westside hills of Paso Robles, Brecon Estate is a Boutique Estate winery owned by Damian and Amanda Grindley. The estate produces exquisite and inviting wines. Each Brecon Estate wine is a small batch ferment, sold exclusively onsite.

Master winemaker and proud Welshman, owner Damian Grindley has been in the industry for over 20 years, crafting highly awarded wines across the United States, Australia, and Europe. During his travels, Damian has explored and mapped some of the longest and deepest caves in the world. His love of limestone and exquisite wines brought him to the Central Coast for the first time 17 years ago, and when the opportunity arose to purchase Brecon Estate, he knew that it was time to settle down and craft his own unfettered wines.

Co-owner Amanda Grindley is Australian by birth and an adventurer in her own right. A keen caver and world traveler, Amanda is passionate about conservation and the great outdoors. She has been instrumental in the design and remodeling of Brecon Estate. Her keen eye for detail is prevalent throughout the winery’s buildings and decor. Amanda enjoys hosting events on the beautiful, peaceful grounds at Brecon Estates.

Karl Wittstrom oversees the daily management and operations of Ancient Peaks Winery. Karl is an entrepreneur, winegrower, rancher and longtime Paso Robles area resident who was raised amid his family’s ranching and farming business. Karl is a former director of the California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles, and he is a member of the California Cattlemen’s Association, California Farm Bureau and a past director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. He oversees his own family vineyard and co-owns Margarita Vineyard and Ancient Peaks Winery.

In 2008, Lisa Liberati and Michael Fogelman attended a one-month U.C. Davis winemaking program in Dijon. A month after coming home, Michael decided to try to make wine in his second floor, white-carpeted apartment on Sweetzer Avenue in the heart of West Hollywood. Undaunted by his lack of experience, armed with a willing cellar hand (Lisa) and a wealth of information (internet), he dove in. Crushing and destemming in the carport, fermenting in the dining room, pressing in the kitchen, cold stabilizing in an ice-filled bathtub became an annual ritual. What began in 2008 with 700 pounds of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma expanded to 2000 pounds of Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County in 2012.

By 2013, the winemaking project had outgrown the apartment and Sweetzer Cellars became a fully bonded winery (but no longer on Sweetzer Avenue). While they still live in Los Angeles and haven’t quit their day jobs as test-prep tutors, Lisa and Michael can be found every weekend in Lompoc at their tasting room and the shared facility where they make their wines, still committed to a hands-on approach. The singular style that developed in the apartment – clean, balanced, complex wines made with minimal intervention and a respect for terroir – continues today. Their initial focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay eventually grew to include other varietals – all bearing the Sweetzer signature style, and all made with care, love, and dedication born in a second-floor apartment.

Randy Ford serves as Executive Vice President of Global Sales at Cristom Vineyards, bringing three decades of comprehensive wine industry expertise to his role. Throughout his distinguished career, Ford has established himself as a pivotal figure in wine distribution and broker management across both domestic and international markets.

As a member of the Oregon Wine Board's International Steering Committee, Ford actively contributes to shaping the region's presence in the global wine market. His commitment to industry excellence is further demonstrated by his completion of the prestigious Wine Executive Program at the University of California Davis School in 2013.

At Cristom Vineyards, Ford has been instrumental in developing and nurturing some of the winery's most significant business relationships. His strategic approach to relationship building and deep understanding of global wine markets continues to drive Cristom's growth and success in the international wine industry.

Jeff has been in the wine business for the past 20+ years, working for some of the top Champagne and Burgundy houses. With the name Liquid Farm on Jeff’s mind for many years, it was the catalyst for starting the project in 2009 with the helping guidance of Brandon Sparks-Gillis of Dragonette Cellars.

The name Liquid Farm was thought of long before there was wine in barrel as we wanted to remain dedicated to telling the Above Ground/Below Ground story. The vintage, placed above the line, pays homage to the particular year's influence on the wine, while the AVA of Sta. Rita Hills lies below, honoring the soil's unmistakable impact, which also ends up inside the glass. Before Liquid Farm, our glasses were often filled with old world wine. We preferred the lower alcohol, cooler climate, and more earth-driven characteristics of European wines compared to their more ripe, fruit-focused, more alcoholic Californian counterparts. We allow the wines to develop on their own with little intervention, minimal or no new oak and use no additives or machines to manipulate the wines inherent personality.

We decided to start out making what we most love to drink: Chardonnay that is earth and mineral driven from cool climates with little or no new oak, Bandol-inspired Rosé of Mourvedre and four different Pinot Noirs . To achieve these qualities we were drawn to one of the coolest of all California AVA's, Sta. Rita Hills. Located in Santa Barbara County, it is home to some of the most Chardonnay-suited, unique, ancient soils in North America.

Anthony Schroth’s journey into winemaking began unexpectedly. In 2003, he was recruited to play baseball at Sonoma State University, but a shoulder injury altered his path. When an accounting class was unavailable, he enrolled in a wine course, unknowingly setting the stage for his future.

During the 2005 harvest season, Anthony interned in Napa, immersing himself in winemaking. He graduated in 2006 with a double major in marketing and wine business, then joined Harvest Moon Estate & Winery in the Russian River Valley, gaining hands-on experience in vineyard management, winemaking, and sales.

In 2007, Anthony took on the challenge of restoring a neglected vineyard. While working the vines, he envisioned a winery of his own. That dream became reality with Jackson Hole Winery, founded in 2009 in Jackson, Wyoming. Situated at 6,229 feet, the cool mountain climate enhances the winemaking process, producing beautifully balanced wines.

Today, Jackson Hole Winery produces 4,000 cases annually and has earned top honors at major competitions:

• 2022 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Best of Class, Sonoma County Harvest Fair
• 2022 Catch & Release, Zinfandel – Best of Class, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• 2021 Rendezvous Red – Best of Class, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Anthony’s passion for winemaking and commitment to quality continue to shape Jackson Hole Winery’s reputation for excellence, crafting wines as unforgettable as the Grand Tetons themselves.

Jimmy’s journey started at just six years old, when he began singing and playing drums in his family’s band, The Quailes. By the time he was a teenager, The Quailes were performing at local and national nightspots.

Jimmy’s road then took a sharp turn from 2002 to 2011 when he and his chef wife, Janet, opened and operated Big Daddy’s Crabcakes. Their seafood restaurant was recognized as the Best of Philly by Philadelphia Magazine.

The route recalculated further when Jimmy became Wine Consultant for leading wine retailers Roger Wilco Wines & Spirits and WinesTillSoldOut.com (WTSO.com). In 2014, he received the title of Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

All roads eventually lead to Jimmy combining his entertainment background and his passion for wine with his book, Tales from the Wine Floor: 100 Questions Asked of a Sommelier. The book, published by Lyons Press (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.) is available wherever books are sold.

In addition to writing about wine, he teaches wine classes, hosts “Somm Dinners” for corporate clients and casino special events and donates his time and talents in support of his favorite charities.

Forge Cellars is a boutique winery located in the Finger Lakes Wine Region of NYS. In 2011, Louis Barruol and Rick Rainey founded Forge Cellars on the southeast shores of Seneca Lake in New York. Their goal is for the wines to reflect the place that they come from, because this is where the pleasure is. The choices in the cellar guard the purity of the vineyards. They make wine in the traditional, handcrafted manner.

Louis comes from a winemaking tradition of 14 generations. His family has been located at their historic property in the village of Gigondas in the Southern Rhone Valley of France since 1570. Louis grew up among the vines and took over the estate from his dad in 1992, proceeding to improve quality and grow a vigneron-negociant arm of the business. Château de St. Cosme is now regarded as the benchmark of wine quality in Gigondas.

Born in Florida, Rick came to the Finger Lakes by way of the Philadelphia restaurant industry with the aim of someday owning a winery. For more than two decades, Rick has been involved in all aspects of the distribution business, from his role as a wine buyer for a French portfolio to managing a team of nine sales people. He naturally gravitates to working in partnership with growers and alongside the vines but also enjoys the cellar, as it is the culmination of all their hard work.

Dom Maxwell has been the winemaker for Greystone Wines since the vineyard’s inception with the first plantings in 2004. He has now made wine from the vineyard for 19 vintages and there has been an evolution of both style and character of the wines as the vines have aged and as Dom looks to push boundaries and oust conventional thinking with a close and personal relationship between vineyard and winery. His techniques can be classified both as very traditional and as breaking new ground.

Dom has worked overseas at Chehalem in Oregon (USA) , Weingut Leitz in the Rheinagu (Germany) and at Domaine ‘d Eugenie in Vosne-Romanee, Burgundy (France). These varying experiences overseas have helped to not only understand other wine regions but also to develop a philosophical stance for the wines off Greystone Vineyard.

The team at Greystone have continued to evolve both the vineyard and wines from the beautiful clay and limestone soils of North Canterbury, making wines that speak proudly of their unique place.

Weston Eidson is an emerging star in American winemaking, known for his innovative approach, meticulous craftsmanship, and commitment to quality. Originally from Texas, he grew up appreciating wine’s deep cultural and historical significance, as well as its special place at the dinner table. With a background in law and a successful business career, his passion for wine eventually led him to leave the corporate world and immerse himself fully in winemaking.

While attending graduate school in the UK, Weston explored renowned wine regions from Chile and South Africa to Bordeaux, Alsace, and the Veneto. His journey ultimately brought him to Napa Valley, where he worked the 2012 harvest under Jason Moore of Modus Operandi, gaining invaluable winemaking skills. He later trained under esteemed winemaker Russell Bevan, refining his expertise in crafting complex, balanced wines.

In 2012, Weston founded Silver Ghost Cellars, inspired by his great-grandfather’s 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Known for its elegant, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Ghost reflects both Napa’s rich terroir and Weston’s dedication to minimal-intervention winemaking.

About Silver Ghost

Weston’s great-grandfather, John Montagu, was a British Lord, automotive pioneer, and close friend of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. His secretary, Eleanor Thornton, inspired the iconic Rolls-Royce hood ornament, the Spirit of Ecstasy. Like its namesake, Silver Ghost wine embodies richness, culture, and authenticity—an homage to a legacy of craftsmanship and excellence.