Being a vineyard manager checked all the boxes for Mary: collaboration of ideas, working with the soil, the interface of farming and nature, and the intersections of science and farming. Working over 30 years now in vineyards has been a great gift, and she has been fortunate to work with people who valued farming practices that respected the people and the soils.

Mary has been managing vineyards for Bill Harlan since 2002, and she currently oversees farming and vineyard development for Harlan and Promontory. The team there continues to work with evolving farming practices that benefit the soils and vines. Mary has found the most gratifying (and maybe unexpected) aspects of her field to be the evolution of vineyard workers, and a recognition of how their work is paramount to the quality of the wines being made in this valley. You can follow her on Instagram at @m3rrymar.

Brianna was drawn to wine at an early age for its ability to fuse science, nature and art into a single medium. She has pursued experiences in research, vineyard management and winemaking. Brianna obtained her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and was involved in research surrounding agricultural land succession and yeast metabolic capabilities. She continues to pursue knowledge and collaborate with industry experts in search of ways to tackle challenges in the vineyard and winery. Brianna is excited to help make the industry a sustainable and supportive place for those with a passion. Currently, Brianna is the Assistant Winemaker at Bryant Estate in Napa Valley and is also pursuing her MBA at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Gabrielle has worn many hats in the wine industry for nearly 25 years including retail purchasing and management, wholesale, imports, and finally landed where her true heart lies, in the vineyards. In 2009 she co-founded a Loire inspired boutique label, Gamling & McDuck, where her commercial winemaking began and juggled that while acting as head Viticulturist and Director of Customer Relations at Stagecoach Vineyard. In 2019 she moved to the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon to work as Viticulturist for Quail Run Vineyards covering 13 vineyards across the valley growing over 30 varieties of grapes while also starting winemaking in the region for her G&M label. She’s earned her Level 3 Sommelier Certification from the International Sommelier Guild, attended the winemaking program at Napa Valley College, and completed the CA University of Davis Extension program in Viticulture and Enology. She has served on boards and committees with the Rogue Valley Wine Association, Atlas Peak Appellation Association, Napa Valley Grape Growers, and Napa Valley Vintners.

Amanda is a native Ohian who earned her B.S. in Environmental Horticulture from Clemson University and an M.S. in Horticulture & Agronomy with a focus in Viticulture and Soil Science from U.C. Davis. Before her winegrowing career, she dabbled in organic blueberry production. She has worked in various winegrowing regions including the Willamette Valley, Sonoma Valley, and the Napa Valley. She is currently Winery Relations and Viticulture Manager at Stagecoach Vineyard where she helps with the technical aspects of growing mountain fruit while selling to 70+ clients. Throughout her years in the industry, she has been an advocate for women in agriculture and feels that is her true passion, alongside farming wine grapes.

Hands in the dirt and wine that tastes distinctly like where it was grown – these are two of Ashley’s favorite things. Ashley is the vineyard manager at Cain Vineyard and Winery. Her desire to be connected to the land and work with her hands began on family trips to her great grandparents’ farm in Kentucky. She studied Ecology and Environmental Studies at Vassar College and after stints in the Peace Corps, horticulture, and animal rescue eventually made her way out to California to explore the wine industry. She began as a vineyard technician at Cain in 1999 and was so fortunate to learn from an amazing hillside property, a dedicated crew, and many talented and generous industry professionals, including two who are fellow batonnage mentors. Ashley is passionate about organic farming and living soil and believes that the best wine comes from balanced vines that are deeply engaged with the earth. Currently she is knee-deep in redevelopment and fire recovery.

My career in wine started like many: working in restaurants. I've been in hospitality for over 20 years and developed skills in nearly every front of the house position. I started with small, family establishments and progressed into management, directing my own beverage programs for a large, multi-concept restaurant group in Atlanta, GA. I completed certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018 and have extensive knowledge of restaurant operations, logistics, and staff training and education. In 2019, inspired by my travels through western Europe working on farms and in agrotourism, I decided to change the trajectory of my career and moved across the country to California for a harvest position in Monterey county. I've spent my time since in tasting rooms, wine production, and vineyard work. I am currently living and working at Paicines Ranch in San Benito county as a viticulture intern focused on regenerative agriculture, integrated livestock practices, and holistic management. This coming November 2022 will be my third as a volunteer on the logistics team for Big Sur Food and Wine.

A Bay Area native studying Fruit Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Allison was unsure where an agriculture major would take her until she was drawn into the local wine industry and discovered viticulture. Eager to jump into the industry she joined Renteria Vineyard management in 2012 as an assistant viticulturist and since 2015 has been the Director of Vineyard Operations at Cliff Lede Vineyards where she is responsible for overseeing all farming and redevelopment of the winery’s three estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Carneros, and Calistoga AVAs. She works closely with the internal winemaking team to develop and implement the vineyard department’s farming protocols, while also managing all of Cliff Lede Vineyards’ external grower relations.

I am a native of upstate, New York, specifically Albany. I graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Biology. It was at Cornell that I got the wine bug, from a wine tasting elective. From there I moved to Boston to work in research labs as preparation for grad school where at first, I planned to get a PhD in Neuroscience. After four years, much reflection and wine tasting, I moved to Davis to pursue an MS in Horticulture focusing on Viticulture instead. I have always been drawn to growing things. My father was a horticulturist and he passed that interest on to me.

After receiving my Master's degree at Davis, I worked as a vineyard intern at Silver Oak Cellars, and then at Stags' Leap Winery, where I became a Viticulture Assistant. From there I moved to Oregon to become the Viticulturist and Vineyard Manager at Chehalem Wines in 2008. After returning to California a few years later, I joined Komes and Garvey Ranches, a vineyard group that was affiliated with Flora Springs Winery, as their Viticulturist. In 2016 I left to come to Napa College where I am the full time Instructor of Viticulture and Vineyard Coordinator.

I live in Napa with my husband and 3 children. I enjoy hiking, camping, running, travel, yoga, yard work (really) and spending time with my family! I currently serve on the NVC Viticulture and Winery Technology Foundation Board, the American Vineyard Foundation grant review team, and I do a bunch of volunteer work for our local public schools.

Sophie was initially drawn to the wine industry after becoming fascinated with its unique ability to combine science, gastronomy, art and culture. After completing her undergraduate studies at UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology she worked in vineyards and cellars throughout the Napa, Sonoma, Portugal, and New Zealand. Returning to California, she completed a master’s degree in Horticulture and Agronomy at UC Davis, with a focus on furthering the understanding of water use efficiency across a selection of grapevine rootstocks. From Davis she started working for Boisset Collection. 11 years later she is the Director of Winegrowing, overseeing estate vineyard management as well as grower relations for all the Boisset properties. Sophie sees herself as an applied ecologist, managing vineyards as ecosystems and striving to build biodiversity within the systems. She is excited to work with other passionate women and foster bright new energy for a rapidly changing industry.