Current Activities
VESTA, the Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance program which has a 21st century vision for education in grape growing, winemaking and winery marketing, adjunct instructor for the following online classes:
Hermann Wine Trail, Missouri – President
Wine Industry Conference Speaker
- 2021 Southeastern United Wine & Grape Symposium, NC
- 2016 Surry College Winery Marketing Conference, NC
- 2016 Wisconsin Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Conference, WI
- 2015 Eastern Wine Exposition, NY
- 2015 New Mexico Winery Conference, NM
- 2012 Eastern Wine Exposition, PA
- 2012 License to Steal Conference, Ohio
- 2011 Cold Climate Conference, MN
- 2011 License to Steal Conference, Ohio
- 2011 Midwest Wine and Grape Conference, MO
- 2011 Kansas Grape Growers and Winery Conference
- 2011 Iowa Wine Growers Assn. Conference
- 2011 Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Conference
- 2010 Michigan Wine and Grape Conference
- 2010 Illinois Wine and Grape Conference
- 2009 Winery Tasting Room Design and On-Site Marketing Seminar, Surrey College, NC
- 2009, 2008 Wineries Unlimited
- 2009 Virginia Tourism Dinner, Chesapeake Bay Wine Region
- 2007 Unified Symposium
- 2010, 2008, 2007 – License To Steal Wine Marketing Conference
- 2007, 1986, 1984 Midwest Wine and Grape Conference
- 2007 Salesroom Profitability Conference, Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine
- Illinois Wine and Grape Association Conference
- Agri-tourism Conference, Missouri
National and International Wine Judge with more than 20 years of experience:
- San Diego International Wine Competition
- Los Angeles International Wine and Spirit Competition
- Indy International Wine Competition
- National Women’s Wine Competition
- Pacific Rim International Wine Competition
- International Eastern Wine Competition
- Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition
- Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
- Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
- Oklahoma State Fair
- Florida State Fair
- Iowa Wine Competition
- Michigan Wine Competition
- Cool Climate Wine Competition, MN
Previous Activities
Stone Hill Winery – Owner, 1988 through July 2008
Public Relations and Special Event Coordinator for my family-owned winery. I have been in the wine industry
since I was five.
Enologist—California State University, Fresno, 1979-1982
- B.S. Degree in Enology degree, cum laude
- CSUF Enology Society President
- Recipient of ASEV Scholarship (2)
Winemaker — Taylor and Great Western Wineries, Hammondsport, NY, 1982 through 1988
- More than 1 million gallons of wine under the Taylor Wine Company label
- Varietal wines under the Great Western label, including table wines made from native American, European-American hybrids and vinifera grapes, barrel fermented varietals, late harvest, ice wines, port, and cream sherry
Hermann, Missouri Area Chamber of Commerce
- Board member
- Wurstfest committee member
- Tourism escrow committee chair
- Tour of Missouri committee member
Midwest Wine Press – Marketing column contributor
Missouri Wine and Grape Board Marketing Committee – Member, 15 years
Accolades
2008 — Missouri Division of Tourism Innovator Award, for Hermann Wine Trail
2007 — Hermann Wurstfest Hall of Fame inductee
1987 — New York Governor’s Cup winner, for Vidal Ice Wine