Legends Behind the Craft

Barry Waitte, the President, Founder, and Vintner at Tamber Bey Vineyards, has transitioned from a tech industry background at Apple and AOL to become a prominent figure in the wine world. As the President of the Oakville Winegrowers Association, who's also armed with a business degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, he has extended his leadership prowess. Barry's nar...

Ryan Christiansen, President, and Head Distiller at Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits, discovered his passion for fermentation through brewing beer at home. This fascination led him to open a home brewing store, but fate intervened when he met beekeeper, Todd Hardie. Their shared vision of infusing spirits with the essence of honey inspired Ryan to venture into distillation. A decade later, his dedic...

Randy Detrick is the owner and winemaker of Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard and Winery in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. A former ski racer, Randy's journey into winemaking began when his wife sparked the idea of growing grapes on their farm during a trip to Italy. Taking a leap of faith, they embraced the wine business and made their dream come true. Now, their thriving vineyard stands as a testament to t...

Andre Crisp is the Co-Founder and CEO of Legend Napa Valley Custom Crush, Global Wine Brands, and The Crisp Family Foundation. From an early age, Andre had the privilege of immersing himself in the captivating ambiance of the wine country, often spending weekends with his family in this picturesque region. After a decade of remarkable experiences in the tech industry, Andre's innate connection to...

Greg Jones is the CEO of Abacela Winery in Southern Oregon, renowned as both an atmospheric scientist and wine climatologist. With a background in Environmental Sciences and a Ph. D. from the University of Virginia, Greg has spent over 25 years studying the impact of weather and climate on grapevine growth and wine characteristics worldwide. He has authored numerous publications and served on vari...

Jonathan Egan, a sixth-generation Egan, has taken on the momentous task of revitalizing his family's renowned business. In 2015, he emerged as the refounder of Egan's Irish Whiskey, a brand deeply rooted in history and tradition. The parent company, P. & H. Egan, was originally established in the year 1852 by Jonathan's ancestors, marking the inception of a legacy that spanned five generations. Si...

Ken Lineberger is the President of Waters Edge Wineries, an innovative venture that offers a one-of-a-kind franchise model, allowing individuals to fulfill their aspirations of owning and operating their own winery. Together with his wife Angela Lineberger, Ken embarked on this extraordinary journey in 2004 when they established the first urban winery franchise, originally named "The Wine Tailor,"...

Michael Honig is the President of Honig Vineyard & Winery. He embarked on his wine-selling journey in December of 1983 at the age of 21. Taking charge of the struggling family business at just 22 years old, he transformed it into a thriving success over the past 30 years. He is a leader in sustainable farming, chairing the development of a "Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices" in California....

Jordan Kivelstadt, the Owner and Wayward Son at Kivelstadt Cellars & WineGarten is a prominent figure in the wine industry known for his innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. With his journey beginning in 2006, Kivelstadt embarked on a career in winemaking, crafting wines for various clients and exploring different wine regions around the world. He established Free Flow Wines in 2009, a com...

Eric Fullerton is the Owner and Associate Winemaker at Fullerton Wines. Born in California, his European upbringing ignited a passion for winemaking. A chance encounter in Germany introduced him to the world of wine, and he embarked on a journey of exploration and appreciation across Europe. Settling in Oregon 25 years ago, Eric was amazed by the quality of wines produced there. Today, he oversees...

Janell Dusi, the fourth-generation owner, and winemaker at J Dusi Wines, leads the way in crafting exceptional wines at this boutique Paso Robles Zinfandel winery. As a female-owned and operated establishment, J Dusi Wines embraces Janell's expertise and vision. Janell's roots run deep in the world of winemaking, having been born and raised on the Dusi Vineyard, where her grandfather Dante imparte...

Jeanette Tan, the founder of QB Winery Solutions, is a fractional CFO and an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. With a passion for small winery profitability, Jeanette's expertise is dedicated exclusively to the wine industry. As the accountant for Kokomo Winery in Sonoma County, she worked alongside owners, office managers, and bookkeepers, teaching effective procedures and systems. Additi...

Jill Osur, a visionary and luminary in the spheres of political fundraising, the Special Olympics, and entrepreneurship, derives inspiration from her athletic background and unwavering dedication to empowering women. As the founder and CEO of Teneral Cellars, Jill employs her leadership prowess honed through her former tenure as a UC Berkeley softball player to surmount challenges and shape her di...

Nick Buzzell is the Chairman & CEO of NBTV, Spirits Network, and Golf Nation. As a platform that was established in 2019, Spirits Network fosters connectivity with spirits experts and enthusiasts through shoppable streaming video content that can be used on any device. Members can further enjoy exploring the world of spirits with access to exclusive products, gifts, and experiences from the leadin...

Brandon Amoroso is the Founder and Head of Shopify Plus agency Electriq Marketing. Under his leadership, the company grew to a team of 45 employees within three years, before it was acquired by DRINKS.com in April 2022. Brandon also earned coveted certifications in the DTC field such as Shopify Plus, Klaviyo Elite, Attentive Pioneer, Okendo Platinum, and more; including the prestigious Recharge In...

Scott Yeates established Mythology Distillery out of his passion for spirits, producing, and bringing people together. The idea came to him while he was on a ski trip in Haines, AK, and he saw potential in creating a premium spirits brand that fosters shared experiences. Scott is in charge of Mythology Distillery's vision, expansion, and branding, while also taking part in the spirits production....

Jess Wade is the owner and winemaker for Topophilia Wine Company, Jess who was born and raised in Sonoma County, and comes from a family of chefs. His mom has been employed in some of the area's popular eateries and his father has been supplying them with handmade pasta through his Wine Country Pasta for many years. Growing up, Wade was often found in the kitchen, and it appears this experience le...

Bartholomew Broadbent is the CEO of Broadbent Selections, Bartholomew has been widely recognized for his influence on the US wine market. Decanter Magazine named him one of the fifty most influential people in the wine world in 1997 and IntoWine.com ranked him 48th in the Top 100 Most Influential People in the US Wine Industry in 2013. He is a frequent speaker at major wine festivals, such as the...

Angela Zuba is the owner of Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Kalispell, Montana. Angela Zuba is the driving force behind operations, bringing a wealth of business acumen and a broad understanding of wine and food cultures from around the world. Combined with Trevor's expertise in fine dining and enthusiasm for customer service, guests of the Winery can enjoy an unforgettable experience.   Here's a g...

Adam Spiegel, a native of San Francisco, is the (Re)Founder & Whiskey maker of Corning & Company. Established prior to the Prohibition era, the company was (Re)founded to provide high-quality and accessible whiskey. Adam also established Sonoma Distilling Company in 2010, one of the earliest distilleries in Sonoma County's wine country and among the first 200 distilleries in the U.S. He utilizes o...

Gareth Moore is the CEO of Virginia Distillery, continuing the work of his father George with the production of American Single Malt. Additionally, Moore serves as Principal at Adelphi Capital, a middle-market merchant banking business in DC. He is also President of the Virginia Distillers Association and sits on the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council and other boards. Moore holds a BA from Boston Coll...

After leaving the US Army and moving to New York City, Tyzok Wharton discovered a passion for craft beverages and their culinary counterparts. In 2005, he moved to San Francisco and began his winemaking career. In 2010, he helped launch Bluxome Street Winery and in 2016 he relocated to Denver to join the Carboy Winery family. As the Director of Winemaking and head winemaker, Tyzok draws on his art...

Adam Rudolph is the Regional VP of Sales of SLRRRP. He has been in sales for over 10 years. Most of that experience took place in the Domestic, Craft Beer, and Wine Industries. He has acquired proficient territory management, product knowledge, and new product launching through this experience. He was promoted in this industry due to his hard work, creativity, and salesmanship. He was able to grow...

Janie Brooks Heuck, a native of Portland, is the Managing Director of Brooks Wine. For over 10 years, she worked in the healthcare industry until she was entrusted with the business operations of the winery. After the passing of her brother Jimi, the Oregon wine community was incredibly generous and supportive, which made Janie realize the significance of her brother's life-long commitment to the...

Kristen Barnhisel is a highly skilled winemaker at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, where she is responsible for crafting the company's white wine portfolio. With over two decades of viticulture and winemaking experience from around the world, Kristen has established a reputation for her excellent palate and technical skill. She puts her expertise to use, creating a range of white wine varieties, styles...