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Celebrating Female Winemakers and Leaders in Paso Robles

Celebrating Female Winery Leaders
Raising a glass to innovative female winemakers and emerging talents in Paso Robles Wine Country and beyond.

In celebration of Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day, meet the passionate female winemakers making waves in the world of Paso Robles wine.

Celebrate their triumphs, discover the stories behind their wines and savor the innovation these exceptional women bring to the vineyard, cellar and beyond. From groundbreaking pioneers to emerging talents, join us in raising a glass to the remarkable female winemakers shaping the future of Paso Robles wine.

Women winemaking history

Before we celebrate Paso’s incredible female winemakers, let’s take a brief look back at the cherished foremothers of modern winemaking. Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, the first woman to run a French Champagne house in France, earned the title of winemaker after taking over the business from her deceased husband in 1805—being a widow (or veuve, in French) was the only way a woman could own her own business at the time. Thus, Veuve Clicquot champagne was born. Similarly, hardworking widow Hanna Weinberger became the first female winemaker in Napa Valley in the 1880s, paving the way for generations of women to one day step into the field.

The modern wave of female winemakers sprung up in Napa in the 1960s, yet they still faced their own challenges. Remember: Their mothers lived through the suffrage movement, only winning the right to vote in 1920. Hard to believe, but true: In 1973, when MaryAnn Graf became the first female winemaker in modern California history, women still could not legally open a credit card without their husbands’ blessing. Needless to say, the proliferation of female winemakers working today stands as a powerful testament to the hard work, vision and passion displayed by these early pioneers.

Timeline: Important Female Winemakers in History

1805: Madame Veuve Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, first woman to run a Champagne house in France
1880s: Hannah Weinberger, first female winemaker in Napa Valley
1973: MaryAnn Graf, first female winemaker in California’s modern industry
1987: Madeline Triffon, first American female Master Sommelier


Female winemakers in Paso Robles

Vailia From

Vailia From
Valia From

Winemaker at Desparada, Paso Robles
Inheriting strength, confidence and an unusual name from her grandmother, Vailia From is a visionary winemaker intent on challenging the status quo, one vintage at a time. Referred to as “an up and coming star on the Central Coast” by Jeb Dunnuck in Wine Advocate, this free-spirited winemaker champions the road less traveled. A straight-A student and proud high school dropout, From spent two years living in a 1977 Royal International trailer on Pine Hawk vineyard, tucked away in the foothills along the Estrel­la Riv­er. In fact, that’s where the bright idea for her winery, Desparada, was born. Working with 17+ iconic Central Coast vineyards, From has gone on to create “inspired, elegant wines free of stylistic constraints.” A speaker of a dozen languages, she strives to make wines “for the new world, yet rooted firmly in the wonder of the old.” In essence, her winery is the culmination of 19 years of traveling and working in wine. Unsurprisingly, From has seen every side of the industry, from winemaking and harvesting to importing, cold calling, managing brokerages and bottling. What’s next? Only time will tell.


Taste: A “dark cherry car crash,” Desparada’s 2021 Axis Petit Verdot is well worth the trip to this moody Tin City, Paso Robles tasting room. Be sure to check out the bold art on her wine labels, as likely to feature a 19th century French painting of Venus as a whimsical mermaid. Whether you’re into fresh whites or bold reds, Desperada should be your next destination.

Dana Brown

Dana Brown
Dana Brown

Owner at Calcareous Vineyard, Paso Robles
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree at Calcareous Vineyard in Paso Robles. Dana Brown and her late father, Lloyd Messer, founded the winery in 2000 with a singular purpose: “To craft elegant wines that purely express the delicious complexities of this wholly unique estate.” Calcareous’ dedication to this mission has forged a legacy of excellence and continues to earn the winery numerous awards and accolades, including the esteemed Wine Spectator Top 100. Under Brown’s direction, the winery continues to produce exceptional small-lot wines from its high-elevation estate Westside vineyard. The 442-acre estate stretches 1,800 feet above sea level and is home to an unrivaled blend of sun exposure, overnight marine layer and its namesake — calcareous soil — the snow-white limestone-rich earth that is a key component to crafting critically-acclaimed wines.

Taste: With expansive views of the coastal Saint Lucia Mountain Range, Calcareous is located on Peachy Canyon Road minutes from downtown Paso Robles and just a dozen miles from the Pacific Ocean. Earning 94 points from Wine Spectator, Calcareous Vineyards’ 2021 Estate Syrah is supple and structured, with black cherry and peppery vibes. Visit Tasting Room

Venus Lai

Venus Lai
Venus Lai

Owner at McPrice Myers Wines, Paso Robles
Venus Lai is no stranger to left turns. A veteran of the biotechnology industry, she put her Ph.D. in molecular and medical genetics to work developing therapeutic medications for the good of the world. You could say her life took a major swerve after a fateful visit to McPrice Myers Wines in Paso Robles. As the story goes, Lai joined the wine club “and the rest is history.” In addition to her work in therapeutic drug development, Lai has always held a passion for the science and products of fermentation — wine, whiskey, beer, and sake. She even hosted “fermentation seminars” for her colleagues back in the day. Lai now lends her inventive nature, enthusiasm for wine, and considerable business skills to McPrice Myers Wines, founded in 2002 when winemaker McPrice “Mac” Myers produced his first vintage at a local cooperative. Alongside Associate Winemaker Adrian Perez, Director of Business Operations Liz Gillingham, Head of Business Development Billy Grant, (the three are also brand partners), Lai and the McPrice Myers team works to spotlight standout Central California grapes: grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot, just to name a few.

Taste: Lai welcomes all to the McPrice Myers tasting room, a family-and-pet-friendly hangout surrounded by rolling hills. Note: There’s a plush Hilltop Guest House available for anyone wishing to stay overnight. While you’re there, be sure to check out Myers’ esteemed 2022 M Cabernet Sauvignon, which earned the winemaker 91 points from wine critic Robert Parker. Visit Tasting Room

Janell Dusi

Janell Dusi
Janell Dusi

Winemaker, founder at J Dusi Wines, Paso Robles
A champion of traditional farming in Paso, Janell Dusi grew up helping her grandpa tend to their family’s legendary Dusi Vineyard. This sacred generational know-how, combined with a reverence for Old World Italian winemaking techniques, shine in the winemaker’s celebrated Old Vine Zinfandel. While the Dusi family has always been known for growing exceptionally good grapes, Dusi said she became hooked on winemaking after entering an amateur winemaking contest at the tender age 13. After following her passion to work in Australian vineyards, 20something Dusi returned home to Paso Robles ready to start her own chapter of the family lore. In 2006, she launched J Dusi Wines, and the tasting room—now a bustling stop on picturesque Highway 46 West—followed seven years later. Today, it’s safe to say the winemaker is considered one of Paso Robles’ most respected industry leaders. Overseeing eight vineyards and the production of more than 10,000 wine cases per year, Dusi has certainly made her grandpa (and great-grandpa before him) very proud.

Taste: The Dusi Vineyard roots reach back to the early 1920s, when Sylvester and Caterina Dusi moved from northern Italy to Paso Robles and planted some of the region’s first zinfandel vines. Today, the 100-acre Dusi estate in the Templeton Gap (just south of Paso Robles), produces old vine zinfandel for several acclaimed wineries, including J Dusi Wines. Sample Paso history in a glass with Dusi’s 2021 Dante Dusi Zinfandel, an earthy and herbaceous wine made from historic zinfandel vines planted in 1945. Visit Tasting Room

Maggie Tillman

Maggie Tillman
Maggie Tillman

Marketing and Sales at Alta Colina, Paso Robles
Named Paso Robles’ 2021 Master Wine Marketer of the Year, Maggie Tillman has stamped her own unique brand on the region. Leading the marketing and sales department at Alta Colina since 2011, Tillman has brought substantial media buzz to the sustainable-minded vineyard that her father, Bob, founded in 2003. Before spotlighting Paso Robles as a heavy-hitting travel destination, Tillman attended New York University, earned an MBA in wine management from Sonoma State University and honed her skills alongside other high-profile area wineries. Over the years, she’s contributed to Alta Colina’s meteoric rise as one of Paso’s premiere boutique wineries. Sunset Magazine even named Alta Colina’s “Trailer Pond”—a glamping experience featuring candy-colored vintage trailers—a  “Best of the West” travel destination.

Taste: Estate-grown Rhône-style wines define Alta Colina’s Westside Paso Robles operation. Occupying Adelaida District vineyards hovering at 1,800 feet in elevation, these grapes enjoy bright days, cool nights and coveted proximity to the Pacific. Sample Alta Colina’s 2021 Downslope GSM Red Blend, a shining (and ready-to-drink) example of the winery’s mountainous allure. Visit Tasting Room

Nancy Ulloa 

Nancy Ulloa
Nancy Ulloa

Winemaker at Ulloa Cellars, Paso Robles
If the idea of “manifesting mystical wines into existence” sounds whimsical and fun, say hello to Nancy Ulloa, winemaker, owner and “boss lady” of Ulloa Cellars in Paso Robles. Driven by the burning desire to master the art of winemaking, she made the leap from the Bay Area to Paso Robles in 2017. Fast forward 6+ years, and she now stands on the cusp of releasing a fifth Ulloa Cellars vintage. With a deliberately “woo-woo” approach, the winemaker imparts feel-good affirmations to each wine, with mantras like “I Trust Sacred Timing,” and “There are No Limits in My Path.” Established in 2019, the winemakers’ journey began with the creation of her debut wine, Grüner Veltliner. Fueled by an outpouring of support, “Baby Grüner” soared to success, propelling the expansion of the venture in 2022. According to Ulloa, “The purpose of Ulloa Cellars is to produce exceptional wines loaded with complexity, layers and a little bit of magic.” 

Taste: At Ulloa Cellars, taste the difference that “crystal healing, gratitude and goddess energy” make in each bootle (not to mention sanskrit mantra chanting, sound baths and esoteric rituals). Try the winery’s popular 2022 Grüner Veltliner (Baby Grüner), fermented and aged in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels showcasing an essence of peach cobbler, grapefruit, cantaloupe and white pepper. Visit Tasting Room

Stephanie Terrizzi

Stephanie Terrizzi
Stephanie Terrizzi

Viticulturist at Giornata Wine, Paso Robles
Not all who daydream are lost. In fact, Stephanie Terrizzi fell in love with California wines while polishing stemware at an Illinois wine bar. This was more than a passing infatuation, to be clear: she soon made the move to Sonoma County to get closer to the West’s prized vines, eventually studying enology, chemistry and plant science in Fresno. There, she met her husband and eventual “partner in wine,” Brian. With a mutual love for Italian culture, the pair co-founded Giornata Wines in 2005 with a single barrel of nebbiolo. Old World winemaking and Italian grape varieties (vermentino, fiano, barbera, aglianico sangiovese) come together to create a vibrant portfolio of limited production releases. A celebrated viticulturist, Terrizzi is now widely recognized for her pioneering work planting trebbiano, friulano and ribolla gialla in San Luis Obispo County. But that’s not all. Through Etto Pastificio, the couple’s Tin City market and pasta company, Terrizzi has brought an excess of Italian goodness to Paso. Even more impressive, she’s done all this while simultaneously supporting school lunch programs and feeding families in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, 20,000 servings of pasta have been donated to date!

Taste: Savor Giornata Wines’ balanced Italian offerings by appointment at the winery’s Tin City location, which runs on solar power and boasts cozy indoor and outdoor seating options. On a warm day, go for Giornata’s Novello, a surprisingly light and lively sangiovese. A two-week carbonic maceration lends buoyancy to this easy-drinking, fruit-forward wine. You may also want to ask about fresh pasta while you’re there: Nearby Etto Pastificio Pasta Bar serves slurp-worthy Italian entrees as well as ready-to-boil bags. Visit Tasting Room

Neeta Mittal

Neeta Mittal
Neeta Mittal

Owner of LXV Wines, Paso Robles
The ever-smiling Neeta Mittal has made a lot of impressive firsts in the world of wine. As the congenial owner of LXV Wines in Paso Robles, she stands as one of the first Indian women to own a winery in the United States. Plus, her downtown tasting room, which blends Indian culture with LXV’s rich Bordeaux-style wines, was named by USA Today as one of the country’s top-10 tasting experiences. A trip to the LXV lounge is layered with sumptuous delights: Aside from Neeta’s warm hospitality, find popular Wine Tasting & Flavors Flights paired with curated Indian spices (another first for the list). Although much of LXV Wines’ success can be credited to Neeta’s passionate spirit, the wine itself is indeed a group effort. Neeta, her beloved hubby, Kunal Mittal, and the entire LXV team all work together to craft contemporary blends that have inspired Wine Enthusiast to proclaim LXV one of the best wine tasting experiences in Paso.

Taste: Experience LXV’s romantic take on Bordeaux and Italian grapes sourced from estate vineyards nestled within Paso’s famed Willow Creek Appellation. At their downtown tasting room, make yourself at home in the elegant “Blue Room,” cellar or open-air patio. Don’t miss the winery’s 2021 LXV The Spell, which combines Paso Robles-grown cabernet sauvignon and cool climate syrah sourced from Los Alamos—with rich and spicy results. Visit Tasting Room

Janis Pelletiere & Morgan Stepp

Janis Pelletiere & Morgan Stepp
Janis Pelletiere & Morgan Stepp

Winemaker at Pelletiere Estate Winery, Paso Robles
From the bustling streets of Chicago to the serene vineyards of Paso Robles, Janis Pelletiere’s journey is a narrative of ambition, resilience and the pursuit of excellence. As the pioneering force behind Pelletiere Estate Winery, this first-generation, female winery owner embodies the essence of innovation and leadership. With over 29 years of commanding her own business, Pelletiere brings an unparalleled blend of experience, passion, and vision to the winemaking industry. Her resolve to carve a lasting legacy has transformed a dream into the reality of Pelletiere Estate, setting new standards for quality and sophistication in the process.

At Pelletiere’s side is daughter Morgan Stepp, a pivotal cornerstone of this family-run venture. Stepp’s extensive background in agriculture business and her intimate knowledge of the wine industry are instrumental in guiding Pelletiere Estate’s dedication to sustainable farming and ethical land management. Her influence ensures that the winery not only stands as a beacon of female empowerment, but also as a paragon of environmental stewardship.

Taste: Pelletiere Estate champions lesser-known Italian varieties, so be sure to ask about their new 2021 Tievoli. This harmonious composition delivers an exhilarating marriage of 58% sangiovese, 30% aglianico and 13% primitivo. A testament to the beauty of Italian wines, savor this graceful, silken example of Pelletiere’s pioneering spirit. Want to stay a little longer? Book one of Pelletiere Estates’ modern wine country retreats: The Pelletiere Estate Winery Farmhouse offers stunning vineyard views and a stylish, comfortable oasis. Meanwhile, the winery’s Eastwood Casita Vacation Rental is bright, airy and spacious. Both allow visitors to wake up in a working vineyard, all while staying close to downtown Paso Robles attractions.

Dina Hevert

Dina Hevert
Dina Hevert

Owner at Vinyl Vineyards, Paso Robles 
Meet Dina Hevert, a Florida native who has made big waves within the Paso Robles wine and hospitality pool. Alongside her husband Jeffrey, the couple relocated from Florida to L.A. to pursue careers in the fast-paced entertainment industry. As is often the case, a memorable road trip up to Paso Robles sparked Dina’s vision of owning a piece of Paso paradise. But when would they find the time? Inspired by Jeffrey’s work on a television show centered around restoring vintage campers, Dina, then an executive in television sales, seized the opportunity to bring her wine country dreams to life. The couple acquired Paso Robles land, revamped a few trailers and unveiled the Windwood Ranch glamping retreat. Their winery, Vinyl Vineyards, is Dina’s latest venture, featuring limited releases of cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux blanc and rose sourced from local, sustainable and biodynamic vines. Located right on the glamping grounds, this aesthetically-pleasing wine tasting experience combines rustic charm with a bold backstory.

Taste: Find refuge amidst Vinyl Vineyards’ serene meadows and lush forests. Windwood Ranch glamping accommodations range from a vintage farmhouse to cozy casitas, adorable A-frame cabins and funky vintage trailers. When it comes to sipping, there’s plenty of enticing wines to delve into, like the 2022 Vinyl Rose, crafted from dry-farmed, organic mourvedre and grenache grapes sourced from Templeton Gap vines. Like a bunch of wildflowers, the wine is fragrant and flowery, with a juicy palate bursting with lively ruby red grapefruit, strawberry and lemon zest. Visit Tasting Room

Monica Villicana

Monica Villicana
Monica Villicana

Owner at Villicana Winery, Re:Find Handcrafted Spirits, Paso Robles
A trailblazer in the world of wine and spirits in Paso Robles, Monica Villicana has been inspiring fellow female entrepreneurs for nearly three decades. Alongside her husband Alex, the couple founded Villicana Winery in 1993—casting them early visionaries of Paso Robles and what it would become. While Monica juggled her role as the West Coast Marketing Director for Reebok, the couple dedicated their weekends to commuting from Pasadena to tend to their vineyard. In 2002, Monica made the bold decision to leave her corporate career behind and the couple relocated to Paso Robles, opening a tasting room on Adelaida Road that still stands today. The entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there: In 2011, Monica and Alex spearheaded the launch of the county’s first craft distillery, Re:Find Distillery igniting a new era in Paso Robles’ beverage industry. With Monica at the helm managing hospitality, sales and marketing for both Re:Find Distillery and Villicana Winery, the Villicanas have become synonymous with both innovation and quality. With an unwavering commitment to using sustainable, all-natural, premium local ingredients and distilling 100% of their spirits in Paso Robles, the Villicanas have established a truly remarkable California vineyard-to-bottle distillery, setting the standard for excellence in the industry.

Taste: Re:Find Distillery stands out for its sustainable ethos, crafting memorable vodkas and gin from the prized free-run juice of premium Paso Robles red wine grapes that would otherwise go unused. Head to the Paso Robles tasting room to sample a range of these incredible offerings, including Re:Find’s popular gin. Crafted with fragrant juniper, citrus peel, lavender, and a velvety base of premium wine grapes, savor the smooth-sipping joy of a standout wine country spirit. Visit Tasting Room

Katie Povah

Katie Povah
Katie Povah

Winemaker at Postmark Wines, Paso Robles
With over 15 years of winemaking experience on the Central Coast, Katie Povah is a seasoned expert in the nuances of Paso Robles wine. As the master winemaker at Postmark, Katie’s role encompasses all facets of winemaking, from collaborating with growers to orchestrating harvests, blends and bottlings. Her objective? “To capture the rich power and intricate flavors of Paso Robles’ exceptional cabernet sauvignon.” Hailing from Sonoma County and graduating from Cal Poly’s wine and viticulture program in 2006, Katie’s journey in winemaking began early. She refined her craft at esteemed wineries like Kenneth Volk Wines, Niven Family Wine Estates, and Cambria, under the mentorship of noted winemaker Denise Shurtleff. Since joining The Duckhorn Portfolio in 2018, Katie has played a pivotal role in showcasing the Central Coast’s character and complexity through her delicious wines. Beyond her role at Postmark, Katie serves as the Central Coast winemaker for The Duckhorn Portfolio, solidifying her status as a leading figure in California winemaking.

Taste: Much like a postmark—an official seal stamped on letters to indicate a significant place and date—Povah partners with great Paso Robles growers to showcase the area’s unique terroir. Postmark Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the character of its roots, offering up a concentrated, structured wine laced with layers of depth and complexity.

More women in Central Coast Wine

Nicole Pope

Winemaker at Stolo Family Vineyards, Cambria
At Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria, fresh wines are crafted from grapes grown just six miles from the Pacific Ocean. These remarkably coastal offerings can be credited to winemaker Nicole Pope, who worked wine harvests across South Africa, Australia and Napa before falling in love with Stolo’s idyllic Cambria vines. With a winemaking approach that centers on bringing out the “natural beauty, texture and purity of fruit,” she’s inspired praise from the San Francisco Chronicle, who named Pope a 2019 Winemaker to Watch. 

Taste: With a shining chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah on the menu, there’s much to enjoy at Stolo Vineyards’ Cambria tasting room. We recommend starting out with Stolo’s outstanding dry Gewürztraminer, with floral flavors of grapefruit and citrus. Now, explore a grassy outdoor tasting area where pups and kids are welcome to soak up the sun. Visit Tasting Room 

Jane Dunkley

Winemaker at Bezel Winery, Central Coast
Jane Dunkley chased her passion for winemaking all the way from her native Australia to Portugal, Italy—and finally—the Central Coast of California. Today she has the joy of living in close proximity to the grapes she crushes for Bezel, owned by Napa’s celebrated Cakebread Cellars. Jane’s on-the-ground knowledge of Edna Valley and Paso Robles builds on the team’s expertise to make Bezel Wines dynamic and distinct. To do this, Dunkley sources all fruit from the California Central Coast. With the philosophy that “every person on our planet is one-of-a-kind — a unique mix of talents, gifts, passions and ideas,” these wines aim to bring individuals together for everyday celebrations. Drawing on 50+ years of experience at Cakebread Cellars, Bezel crafts Central Coast wines as complex and charismatic as the people lucky enough to share them.

Taste: The Central Coast’s long, temperate growing season and coastal breezes produce grapes with bright fruit and complex aromas. That said, certain sub-regions have their own special character. Bezel is skilled at seeking out these places. Case in point: Bezel’s Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc, aged in stainless steel and packed with layers of ripe, zesty fruit.

Grace Kegel

Assistant Winemaker at Deovlet Wines, San Luis Obispo
Grace Kegel’s journey into winemaking is fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a reverence for Mother Nature. A graduate of Cal Poly’s Wine & Viticulture program, the current Assistant Winemaker at Deovlet Wines in San Luis Obispo honed her skills at small wineries like Per Bacco Cellars and Clesi Wines. While her initial role centered around coordinating tastings, she quickly worked her way up to perform hands-on winery work. Her winding path took her across continents, from New Zealand’s vineyards to South Africa’s renowned Mullineux Family Wines. Along the way, Kegel sharpened her craft under the mentorship of industry luminaries like Stephen Dooley and Ryan Deovlet. Since joining forces with Ryan at Deovlet Wines, Grace has played a pivotal role in crafting exceptional wines from vineyard to bottle. With 9+ vintages under their belt, Grace and Ryan share a symbiotic relationship, united by their passion for winemaking. Their commitment to quality and authenticity shines in each bottle, “offering a true reflection of the terroir and a timeless elegance that transcends trends.” For Grace, the journey continues, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep-seated love for the craft. 

Taste: At Deovlet Wines, taste wines that captivate the senses and tell a story of place, passion and dedication. A great example? The winery’s clean, bright 2022 La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Blanc, featuring coveted grapes from the Sta. Rita Hills. Visit Tasting Room

Brianne Engles

Winemaker at Chamisal, Edna Valley
Like many before her, Brianne Engles’ journey into winemaking began while working at a prestigious restaurant. However, pouring wines for customers and making wines are a whole different ball game. Pursuing her passion for wine, the Monterey County native obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly State University and furthered her expertise with the Level 3 Advanced Certification from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust. With 17 years of experience in the industry, Brianne has cut her teeth at renowned wineries across the globe, including Two Hands in South Australia, Duckhorn and Quintessa in Napa Valley as well as Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles. Currently serving as the winemaker at award-winning Chamisal Vineyards in San Luis Obispo, Brianne is focused on Edna Valley terroir, “capturing the essence of Central Coast sunshine, soil, and the distinctiveness of each vintage.” When she’s not making wine, Engles enjoys hiking, shopping local farmers’ markets, cooking meals for friends and sunbathing along the sand.

Taste: Stop by Chamisal Vineyards for sips of outstanding Edna Valley pinot noir and chardonnay. While you can’t go wrong with either, spend extra time with the Chamisal Chamise Chardonnay, an intensely concentrated wine with notes of cane sugar and butterscotch completed by a pleasant floweriness, tea tree oil and hyacinth.

Mindy Allen

Owner, Custom Vineyard Application & Martinez Farming Paso Robles
Mindy Allen, owner of Custom Vineyard Application & Martinez Farming in Paso Robles, has cultivated more than vines. She’s kept a deep-rooted connection to viticulture flourishing in local soil. Her journey began with a leap of faith into the vineyards, where she found her calling with the hands-on approach of “learning by doing.” Safe to say Allen’s expertise and dedication have earned her respect throughout the region. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a love for the outdoors, she embraces the challenges and opportunities of wine grape growing, finding joy in the renewal of bud-break and the promise it holds for the vintage ahead.

Molly Scott

Director of Growing Relations at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles
With roots in Washington State wine, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Director of Growing Relations Molly Scott has acclimated to a sunnier climate. The Cal Poly Viticulture graduate joined JUSTIN’s team in 2011, eventually blossoming into the role of Director of Grower Relations, which oversees the sourcing of wine grapes for JUSTIN’s diverse programs. Scott’s road to viticulture began with a realization at Cal Poly: “understanding how grapes grow and are made is essential to marketing and selling wine.” Now a respected woman in the field, the wine industry pro finds fulfillment in supporting growers and ensuring top-notch quality for JUSTIN’s wines.

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