Special Sections

Director of Winemaking What are you most passionate about? I love creating a product that brings joy and comradery to folks as well as bringing friends and families together. What are the defining moments of your career? After being in the wine industry for over 30 years, there are quite a few defining moments. However, the most recent defining moment was navigating … [Read more...] about Kristina van Loben Sels of Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

Owner / Winemaker What does your ‘happy place’ look like? It’s during harvest when the winery is full to the brim with grapes, the smells of active fermentations, new barrels arriving, long hours, sore backs and lots of laughter, loud music, late night punch downs, poor eating habits—all of it. Harvest is exciting and such hard work, and it’s also where all the main magic … [Read more...] about Lisa Callan of Callan Cellars

CEO What area are you most passionate about? As the CEO of Ambassador Wines of Washington, my passion resonates deeply throughout every stage of the process, from nurturing our vines in Red Mountain AVA to crafting our blends and sharing the culmination of this labor of love with wine enthusiasts. Additionally, I am deeply committed to leading our team to continuously strive … [Read more...] about Allison Engman of Ambassador Wines of Washington

Anne-Marie Hedges, Owner What has been your greatest achievement? Life in a small French village in the 1950’s meant that nearly all families grew their own produce from Spring to Fall. The gardens were organic since the thought of putting chemicals on our fresh produce was unthinkable. That strong belief in organic was transferred to my children who after joining our wine … [Read more...] about Sarah Goedhart & Anne-Marie Hedges of Hedges Family Estate

Winemaker & Co-Owners What are you most passionate about in your field of work? Accessibility. Wine is a universal language. It’s a time and a place. A bookmark in a story. Wine gives us the opportunity to learn about others. Terroir may have the final say but there’s often a story behind the maker and the consumer. Creating this collective story should be accessible to … [Read more...] about Tanya Woodley & Elaine Jomwe of SuLei Cellars

Kimberly Andrew, Chief Financial Officer Debé Brazil, Chief Marketing Officer What challenges excites you both the most? Kim and Debé embody the power of gender diversity. As Co-managing Partners, they challenge traditional leadership roles and demonstrate the strength of a balanced partnership. Their accomplishments inspire other women to pursue leadership positions and … [Read more...] about Kimberly Andrew & Debé Brazil of Chateau Faire Le Pont

Assistant Winemaker What is your greatest career achievement? Making the highest scoring wine our winery has ever produced (alongside my father) relatively early in my winemaking career. Our 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon earned a Robert Parker 97.  As a second generation winemaker, I am honored.  I hope to someday make 100 point vintages.  The pursuit of excellence drives me … [Read more...] about Keely Newsom of Boudreaux Cellars

Owners / Winemakers What area are you most passionate about? Our passion lies not just in wine, but in creating a safe space for our wine community. We certainly are not working miracles, or at the front lines of Doctors Without Borders, but we hope that in our small way, we can use our winery as a feeling of home; creating a place and wines that resonate with love, respect … [Read more...] about Anaïs Mera & Rachael Horn of AniChe Cellars

Elizabeth Keyser, Winemaker What are you most passionate about in your field of work? Building community through mentorship. I have benefited so much in my career through building meaningful mentor relationships, and to now be in a position where I can return the favor is so rewarding. The spark of connecting over the winemaking process whether you’re on day one of your first … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Keyser of Rocky Pond Estate Winery

Vineyard & Winery Owner What challenge excites you most? As a vineyard and winery owner the word vigneron has special meaning to me. Protecting the vines during winter and early spring, managing the canopy and cropload during summer, and sampling and harvesting are the cycle of life for me. All of this is done so I can participate in the most exciting time of … [Read more...] about Deborah Hansen of Cougar Crest Estate Winery

Melissa Clubb, Brand Manager What led you into the world of wine? In a single word: family. Since the inception of L’Ecole Nº 41, women have been pivotal in shaping its narrative. Our Co-Founder Jean Ferguson was L’Ecole Nº 41’s first winemaker, as well as the first female winemaker in the Walla Walla Valley. She laid the foundation. Today, Jean’s daughter Megan Clubb, … [Read more...] about Megan Clubb, Rebecca Clubb-Olson & Melissa Clubb of L’Ecole Nº 41