Rebecca Valls, Winemaker - SIMI Winery
A few visits to Sonoma County to see her family during the summer and Rebecca was hooked on this region. An Upstate New York Native, she graduated from Sonona State University with a degree in biology.
After stints at both Clos du Bois Winery lab & Sonoma-Cutrer®, she achieved the title of Assistant Winemaker. Her passion for winemaking brought her this far, but that was only the beginning.
Since, she has joined SIMI Winery as Winemaker. Rebecca enjoys working alongside a great team of female winemakers, producing great wines that exemplify the best of SIMI and representing the region she has always loved.
Rebecca Valls, Winemaker - SIMI Winery
A few visits to Sonoma County to see her family during the summer and Rebecca was hooked on this region. An Upstate New York Native, she graduated from Sonona State University with a degree in biology.
After stints at both Clos du Bois Winery lab & Sonoma-Cutrer®, she achieved the title of Assistant Winemaker. Her passion for winemaking brought her this far, but that was only the beginning.
Since, she has joined SIMI Winery as Winemaker. Rebecca enjoys working alongside a great team of female winemakers, producing great wines that exemplify the best of SIMI and representing the region she has always loved.
Sarah Quider, Executive Winemaker - Ferrari-Carano Winery
Sarah began her winemaking career at Ferrari-Carano in 1995, when she was hired as a harvest intern. Sarah is known for employing gentle winemaking techniques and blending wine for style, quality and the multidimensional complexity that characterize Ferrari-Carano’s wines. “My goal is to make complex, intense and seamless wines that are balanced in both richness and delicacy,” said Sarah.
Sarah Quider, Executive Winemaker - Ferrari-Carano Winery
Sarah began her winemaking career at Ferrari-Carano in 1995, when she was hired as a harvest intern. Sarah is known for employing gentle winemaking techniques and blending wine for style, quality and the multidimensional complexity that characterize Ferrari-Carano’s wines. “My goal is to make complex, intense and seamless wines that are balanced in both richness and delicacy,” said Sarah.
Nicole Hitchcock, Head Winemaker - J. Vineyards and Winery
Nicole’s passion for wine was ignited while working alongside well-respected restaurant sommeliers. She earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Italian language, which took her around the world to an agriturismo in Todi, Umbria. She has since honed her craft in Northern California and has been J’s Winemaker for many years—overseeing all aspects of winemaking for our award-winning sparkling and varietal wines. Congratulations, Nicole!
Nicole Hitchcock, Head Winemaker - J. Vineyards and Winery
Nicole’s passion for wine was ignited while working alongside well-respected restaurant sommeliers. She earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Italian language, which took her around the world to an agriturismo in Todi, Umbria. She has since honed her craft in Northern California and has been J’s Winemaker for many years—overseeing all aspects of winemaking for our award-winning sparkling and varietal wines. Congratulations, Nicole!
Megan Conatser, Winemaker - Smith & Hook Winery
A self-proclaimed Cabernet lover and native to the Central Coast, Megan Conatser joined the Smith & Hook team in 2011. Her extensive experience at the winery and homegrown roots provide her with a keen insight for making wine from this region.
Megan sources fruit from appellations throughout the Central Coast, including those near her hometown in San Antonio Valley and Hames Valley. The diversity in terroirs offers a broad spice rack of flavors and aromas to blend from. This gives Megan the raw ingredients necessary to craft the best expression for each of Smith & Hook’s Bordeaux-inspired wines.
Megan Conatser, Winemaker - Smith & Hook Winery
A self-proclaimed Cabernet lover and native to the Central Coast, Megan Conatser joined the Smith & Hook team in 2011. Her extensive experience at the winery and homegrown roots provide her with a keen insight for making wine from this region.
Megan sources fruit from appellations throughout the Central Coast, including those near her hometown in San Antonio Valley and Hames Valley. The diversity in terroirs offers a broad spice rack of flavors and aromas to blend from. This gives Megan the raw ingredients necessary to craft the best expression for each of Smith & Hook’s Bordeaux-inspired wines.
Carolyn Wente, Chairman & 4th Generation Winegrower - Wente Family Estates
Carolyn Wente is one of the driving forces behind Wente Family Estates' portfolio of wines' expansion and growth. She was instrumental in developing the Wente family's lifestyle business, which has brought Wente Vineyards worldwide renown and attracted visitors from around the globe. Today, Carolyn works with fourth and fifth generation family members and company executives to continue Wente Family Estates' growth of their wine portfolio globally.
As Chairman, Carolyn is now heading the effort to meet the family's goals for Wente Family Estates: growing the business, strengthening its brand promise, and developing a high-performing organization. An essential part of this effort is to secure an efficient transition, where the fifth and future generations take over a healthy and profitable business with seasoned, trained, and passionate leaders – both family and non-family members.
Carolyn Wente, Chairman & 4th Generation Winegrower - Wente Family Estates
Carolyn Wente is one of the driving forces behind Wente Family Estates' portfolio of wines' expansion and growth. She was instrumental in developing the Wente family's lifestyle business, which has brought Wente Vineyards worldwide renown and attracted visitors from around the globe. Today, Carolyn works with fourth and fifth generation family members and company executives to continue Wente Family Estates' growth of their wine portfolio globally.
As Chairman, Carolyn is now heading the effort to meet the family's goals for Wente Family Estates: growing the business, strengthening its brand promise, and developing a high-performing organization. An essential part of this effort is to secure an efficient transition, where the fifth and future generations take over a healthy and profitable business with seasoned, trained, and passionate leaders – both family and non-family members.