Headlining Winery & Spirits For the 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the world of fine wines and spirits at the 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival, held from October 17th to 20th in the beautiful setting of WaterColor. 

This four-day celebration is a premier destination for wine connoisseurs and spirits enthusiasts, offering an exceptional selection of vintages, craft cocktails, and premium spirits. With a carefully curated lineup of acclaimed vintners and distillers, guests will enjoy exclusive tastings and immersive experiences. Discover the featured wineries and distilleries headlining this year’s festival below!

Elevated Winery and Spirit Headliners:

Emily Andrews from Mending Wall Winery

The long-time member of the team, Emily Andrews, is a native Californian raised just outside of Sacramento. Her weekends were spent assisting her mother's floral business, often visiting beautiful properties in Napa Valley. Emily’s love for Wine Country led her to Calistoga in 2016. With experience at prestigious wineries like Hirsch and Memento Mori, and most recently at Mending Wall's sister winery, Rivers Marie, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to Mending Wall. She graciously guides visitors through tastings at the winery and travels the country hosting tastings and events.

Monique Bailey from NYSA Vineyard

Nysa Vineyard, established in 1990 by owner and winemaker Michael Mega, has become a prestigious source of Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills, supplying acclaimed producers throughout the Willamette Valley. Michael produced his first vintage of Nysa Pinot Noir in 2004, aiming for wines that exhibit complexity, concentration, and balance. Nysa wines are “gracefully aged,” allowing for the development of secondary flavors balanced by delicate acidity, which is characteristic of fine Pinot Noir.

Jane Balentine from William Cole Vineyards

Jane, great-granddaughter of Sonoma County winemaker Leonardo Dioguardi, is dedicated to preserving her family’s winemaking legacy. After studying English Literature at Oxford and earning a BA in Communications from St. Mary’s College, she returned to Napa Valley with her husband, William, in 1988. Jane has served as Controller/HR Director at Codorniu Napa (now Artesa Winery) and consulted for various wineries. Together, they restored a historic ghost winery in St. Helena, where she now manages business operations and design projects, including the recent restoration of the Spring Mountain property acquired by William Cole Vineyards. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and the outdoors.

Celeste Borders from RGNY

Celeste studied Liberal Arts and Agricultural Marketing at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, CA, and brings her over 15 years of experience working in the international wine and spirits trade in the US, France, Japan, and Mexico with suppliers from DIAGEO Chateau and Estate Wines to Campagne Leclerc-Briant and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, specializing in route to market strategy and brand development.

Cary Combine from Sinegal Estate Winery

A native Floridian with a relentless passion for wine, Cary is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds Wine Specialist Certification through the Society of Wine Educators. Cary’s path has continued over the years representing distinguished wineries such as Sinegal Estate and Duckhorn Portfolio. Additionally, Cary has spent time as a panel judge for the American Wine Competition.

Michael Cooperman from Taub Family Vineyards & Sign of the Dove

Michael joined the Taub family team in March 2025 after 12 years in Napa Valley and brings 25 years of experience in the restaurant, hospitality, and wine industries. He is passionate about crafting memorable guest experiences and sharing the stories behind the wines, emphasizing Taub Family Vineyards’ commitment to producing terroir-driven wines from exceptional vineyard sites. Michael resides in St. Helena with his 13-year-old daughter, Sylvie, and enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time outdoors.

Agostino Gamba from Gamba Vineyards and Winery

Agostino “Gus” Gamba's winemaking journey began as a child, apprenticed by his father in Sonoma County's vineyards. After earning a degree in Business Economics from UC Santa Barbara, Gus returned to study Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, gaining valuable experience at notable wineries. In 2000, he and his wife, Paulette, founded Gamba Vineyards and Winery, focusing on exceptional wines rooted in their belief that greatness starts in the vineyard. The winery has received high praise, with Robert Parker Jr. recognizing Gamba Zinfandels as among the best in Sonoma County. With over 70 years of grape-growing experience, the Gamba family continues to honor their rich winemaking heritage.

Zane and Mindy Holscher from Vinuv

Zane and Mindy Holscher, a local wine-loving couple, turned their passion into reality by establishing their Vinuv vineyard in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina in 2020. While transitioning from Zane’s military career they built a community-driven venture, inviting friends and family to help shape their brand. Vinuv specializes in producing and importing boutique, limited-production wines, offering an exclusive tasting experience for wine enthusiasts of all backgrounds and budgets.

Cameron Kraft from AXR Napa Valley

Cameron Kraft, Brand Ambassador for AXR Napa Valley, has been passionate about the wine industry since a young age. With degrees in winemaking, viticulture, and marketing, he focuses on domestic wine and continues his education through the Court of Master Sommeliers. A self-described “student of flavor,” Cameron travels extensively to share AXR's incredible story with wine enthusiasts nationwide. He delights in connecting with those who appreciate the high level of craftsmanship in small-production wines and enjoys sharing his knowledge and love for epicureanism with fellow wine lovers.

Britt McPhail from Penta Tequila

Britt McPhail is the Southeastern Regional Sales Manager for Penta Tequila, having transitioned from promoting Steve Reynolds' family winery over nearly 20 years. Her journey from wine to spirits was a natural evolution after two decades working in some of New Orleans' best restaurants. With experience from four distributors across three states, Britt joined the Penta Tequila team in 2023, overseeing growth in Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, and Montana. She resides in Northwest Florida on scenic Highway 30A, where she enjoys the Emerald Coast beaches with her Frenchie and chef husband.

Darlyne Miller from Phifer Pavitt

After a successful career in Southern California as a small-business attorney, Darlyne followed her passion for wine, food, and travel by launching a career in the wine industry. Over the years, Darlyne has worked with leading wine brands in Napa, Sonoma, and Oregon guiding the success of several small family-owned brands, and in early 2020, she joined Phifer Pavitt Winery as Director of Sales + Membership.

Dean and Katie Papadakis from Perchance Estates

By a twist of fate, Dean and Katie Papadakis became vintners of Perchance Estates during Dean's 50th birthday celebration in Napa Valley. Initially unintentional, their journey began with an intimate tasting with Winemaker Mike Smith, whose incredible Cabernets they had admired for nearly a decade. When Mike mentioned that certain rows of Cabernet Sauvignon in the historic Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III might be available, they were exhilarated by the prospect. With Mike's offer to make the wine and share his expertise, Dean and Katie eagerly embraced the captivating world of winemaking, setting them on an unexpected and thrilling new path.

Van P. Potts from Keenan Winery

Van is the owner and president of Preston-Layne and Partners, where he manages relationships between suppliers and distributors and travels to connect with wineries and key personnel. He oversees business relationships with distributors and key customers across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. A graduate of the University of Kansas in 1986, Van spent 17 years in the pharmaceutical industry with Johnson & Johnson, Dow Chemical, and Alcon Laboratories before serving as VP of Marketing & Sales at Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery from 2000 to 2003. In July 2003, he founded Preston-Layne and Partners, successfully helping clients move millions of dollars in wine.

Christine Tarpey from Better Together Beverage

Beginning her career in hospitality at the young age of 15, she took her love for beverages on the road, working under many Master Sommeliers, celebrity chefs, and other beverage professionals, propelling her into a life full of beverage exploration! Whether it be introducing guests to up-and-coming crafted wine and spirits, creating a unique and polished approach to service standards, or thinking outside the box with her cocktail creations, she is at the forefront of delivering thoroughly engaging and conceptual experiences for guests and friends alike.

Sheree and Brian Thornsberry from Innumero Wines

Proprietors Brian and Sheree Thornsberry discovered their passion for wine during a 2010 visit to Sonoma and Napa Valleys, igniting their appreciation for winemaking and terroir. Over the next decade, they deepened their interest by exploring wine regions in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and South Africa, honing their palates and learning what makes exceptional wine. Despite their travels, they consistently found themselves drawn back to the wines of Northern California. Realizing that St. Louis, Missouri, was too far from their passion, they decided to relocate, first part-time to Calistoga, then to Napa, and finally settling in Santa Rosa.

This event is not just about celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship behind each sip; it’s also about making a positive impact, as the festival is dedicated to raising funds for the Foundation’s partner children charities.

Tickets for the 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival are available now! Secure yours here.

Published on Monday, September 30, 2024