Jessica Koga - Program Lead
Jessica Koga is a winemaker specializing in small lot winemaking from the North Coast of California. She is experienced with crafting sparkling wine as well as luxury Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on site-specific wines. After graduating from UC Davis, she interned at Schramsberg Vineyards and ended up staying for nearly three years before traveling to gain experience in New Zealand and New York. Upon returning to California, she worked for Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma and at Vineyard 29 in St. Helena before returning to Schramsberg to run their sister winery, Davies Vineyards.
Follow her on Instagram at @winechik.
Evyn Cameron
Evyn Cameron is a winemaker in Napa Valley with over 15 years of experience in the luxury winemaking and viticulture space. Knowledgeable in brand development, DTC and wholesale business. Mentor for Batonnage Forum and The Roots Foundation as well as on the board of directors for Napa Green. Heavily interested in social and environmental sustainability.
Heidi Bridenhagen
Heidi Bridenhagen has been working in the wine industry for 15years. Her primary role -as Head Winemaker for MacRostie Winery- is on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir winemaking in the Sonoma Coast Region. Heidi’s experience extends beyond winemaking with her focus on viticulture to support her winemaking style with the development of a new vineyard in 2018 in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Heidi also has experience in operations and project management with the build of a Pinot Noir facility in 2015. Heidi’s, most recent passion project is her involvement with launching a new brand – dough wines- which is a collaboration with the James Beard Foundation, working closely with them on impact programs to promote advocacy and sustainability facing the food industry.
Kimberlee Nicolls
Over a career spanning almost 30 years, Kimberlee Nicholls has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley's most respected winemakers. With a gifted palate, and three decades of Napa Valley winemaking knowledge and experience, Kim crafts wines of character and complexity from Markham's 350 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards in Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga.
Maura Johnson
Maura Johnson grew up in Southern California but wanted something new for college, so went to UC Davis to study Mathematics. After hearing about the Viticulture and Enology department, she quickly switched focus and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Managerial Economics. Since 2018, Maura has been the Associate Winemaker at Dana Estates in Napa Valley specializing in small lot Cabernet Sauvignon production and working closely with the VASO brand. She has close to 20 harvests in experience, doing harvests in New Zealand, Australia, and Germany working in all aspects of vineyards and production.
In 2015, Maura and her winemaking husband started their own brand, March Wines, specializing in Riesling and St. Laurent. Maura also is an active potter, beekeeper, and mother and loves to help newcomers into the wine industry.
Rachael Froehlich
Rachael Froehlich is a journeyer who is currently trying to make waves in the wine industry. She is working as an Assistant Winemaker managing a custom crush winery. She has lived in 5 different countries, and brings her experience from overseas to Napa. She is a lifelong learner, constantly studying new skills, from teaching yoga to studying finance for her MBA. She wants to be a resource for those interested in joining the wine industry, especially for those interested in going abroad.