North American Wine Hosts

Becker Vineyards was founded by Dr. Richard Becker, a physician in San Antonio, and his wife Bunny. Established in 1992, Becker is one of the original four wineries in Fredericksburg and today they are among the best known and highly respected brands in the state of Texas. Becker Vineyards’ wine has been served in the stateliest of settings, including seven times in the White House, the James Beard Foundation in New York, the Texas Governor’s Mansion and many other famous restaurants in Texas and the United States.

Matthieu was born in Crozes Hermitage in the Rhone Valley of France. Coming from a family of viticulturists and wine lovers, Matthieu was predisposed to continue his family’s pursuit of making and enjoying wine. He first studied viticulture and oenology at Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. After graduating in 1995, Matthieu worked in many different wine regions around France including Rhone Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, and Jura. He then worked in Italy and South Africa to gain experience around the world before settling in Virginia. Since arriving in 2003, Matthieu has worked with wineries throughout the state. He enjoys working in the Monticello Appellation most because he likes the excitement of the region’s growth and being close to Charlottesville.

Raised in Sacramento, Greg Morthole attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned a B.S. in Natural Sciences. He entered the wine industry in 1999 as a Laboratory Analyst at Vinquiry in Windsor, California, learning wine microbiology and wine chemistry. After working for years in the lab at Vinquiry, the desire to work at a winery led him to accept the Enologist position at Chalk Hill Winery in 2003. When the QC Lab Manager position opened up at Rodney Strong Vineyards, Greg jumped on the chance, and started in that role in 2005. His interest in making wine at Rodney Strong was discussed in the interview process, and in late 2007, the longtime Director of Winemaking at Rodney Strong Vineyards, Rick Sayre, invited Greg to accept a new position as the Associate Winemaker. In the spring of 2010, he was promoted to Winemaker, overseeing all aspects of operations and winemaking in our “Artisan Cellar”, making the Davis Bynum Russian River wines and the Rodney Strong Reserve and Single Vineyard wines. In 2018, Greg accepted a new winemaking role in focusing only on the Burgundy varietals for Davis Bynum and Rodney Strong Vineyards. With a quiet demeanor and a determined attitude, Greg’s energetic and detail-oriented style illustrates how enjoyable he finds winemaking to be. “I love what I do. I’ve been making Davis Bynum and Rodney Strong wines for years, and so these wines are very close to my heart. Working with some of the best vineyards in Sonoma County is an absolute pleasure. Experiencing Mother Nature’s changes from vintage to vintage and the incremental changes that we’ve made in the vineyards and the wines has been extremely rewarding, and I still find that the best is yet to come.”

Ed Sbragia and his son, Adam, are third and fourth generation winemakers in California’s prestigious Dry Creek Valley. Following 32 years as Winemaster at Beringer Vineyards in the Napa Valley, Ed returned home in 2001 to establish Sbragia Family Vineyards. The small, family-owned winery makes individual lots of wine from grapes grown in select blocks of their favourite vineyards. Ed is the only winemaker to receive The Wine Spectator ‘Wine of the Year’ for both a red wine and a white wine. After stints at Beringer, Souverain and St. Clement wineries, Adam joined his father at Sbragia Family Vineyards, where they have been making wine side by side for ten years.

Wood Family Vineyards is a family run winery located in the eastern foothills of Livermore Valley specializing in limited production handcrafted wines. Rhonda started making wine in 1996 – after they purchased the Merlot vineyard where she and Michael built their home. Together, their passion for wine and belief that winemaking begins in the vineyard led them to Livermore Valley. They are tireless champions about the quality of Livermore Valley soils and their commitment to Valley grown grapes.

We moved to Ramona in 2004 with the intention of having a hobby farm, with chickens, a garden, and a horse or two. Quickly we discovered that Ramona was also an excellent place to grow winegrapes and make wine. In 2006 the Ramona Valley was officially designated an AVA (American Viticultural Area). That designation motivated us to plant our first vineyard in 2006 and begin making our own white, rose and red wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Temperanillo, Sangiovese, Merlot and Tannat. Today Ramona Ranch Winery is San Diego County’s only CSWA Certified California Sustainable vineyard and winery and the Ramona Valley’s #1 rated winery for three years in a row. We invite you to join us on a delightful summer European river cruise. This is a voyage of discovery along four of Germany’s great rivers: the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel. The villages and ports are picturesque, virtually out of a fairytale and the scenery spectacular. We will enjoy superb German wines and along with an ample supply of our own wines from Ramona Ranch Vineyards.

Rick Bonitati joined the St. Francis team as Chief Executive Officer in early 2018. With over 30 years of experience in the fine wine business and a focus primarily on Sonoma County wines, Rick’s passion for premium Sonoma County wines is a perfect addition to St. Francis’ leadership team. Rick believes it is imperative to “work hard and have fun doing it.” His strategic approach to business is to empower collaborative leadership and establish clear objectives and tactical action plans for constant improvement and growth. His team approach along with his pursuit of consistent development is perfectly aligned with the driving force behind St. Francis’ dedication to excellence.

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Phillip Staehle hails from rural Northern California where he gained wine appreciation at an early age. After graduating from UC Davis, Phillip found his calling when he joined Carmenet Vineyards, producers of small batch, world class wines. From this experience, in 2003, he leaped at the opportunity to crush his first vintage of Petite Sirah, and Enkidu was born. Enkidu Wine was created by Phillip’s vision and dedication, focusing on wines that are extracted with finesse, balance and complexity. He believes that his work should be an extension of himself and making wine is the perfect stage for this expression. The name “Enkidu” (en-kuh-doo) comes from one of the oldest stories ever recorded: The Epic of Gilgamesh. Phillip lives in Santa Rosa, California with his wife, Melissa, and his Labrador “beast” – Anu. His free time is spent cycling, practicing yoga, or backpacking in the mountains.

Michael Barreto got hooked on wine by making his first barrel at home in 1999. After taking courses he secured his first winery job in 2001, progressing quickly from a cellar position into the laboratory. In 2003 Michael started at Le Vigne Winery, quickly elevating the quality and reputation of the wines. By 2009 the Le Vigne labels evolved into high-end quality wines, a testament to the winery’s superb Paso Robles vineyard. “There are many facets to being a winemaker, from walking the vineyard to interacting with customers in the tasting room. Even the hectic sleepless environment of harvest can be joyful. A tremendous feeling results at the end of much hard work and nurturing the vines, concentrated into a wonderful vintage.” Join Michael and Joey Barreto on a wonderful voyage on the waterways of Bordeaux, arguably the world’s epicenter of fine wine production.

As a third generation American farmer, agriculture has always been a passion for Dan. He got his first start in farming by riding a tractor in the family's cherry and walnut orchards, so it was only a matter of time before he found himself farming grapes. Under the training of a highly regarded winemaker, Dan has been able to grow in the art of winemaking; the fusion of agriculture and art that has allowed him to be creative and allow the grapes to show their strengths.

What does sincerity and truth have to do with wine? — It’s this: We carefully source all the ingredients from our wines. We make our wines in small batches. We care about hand-crafting. And we do all of this because of you. Carefully sourcing all the ingredients for our wines means better wine that’s better for you. Hand-crafted small batches means we have more control over quality and we can make a wine just for you. We got into this business because we noticed that even though wineries told us they cared, they still put their name on wines that weren’t tasty and reliable, year over year. We knew we could do better. Integrity is not just about the wine itself. It’s about everyone who helped create this wine experience. It’s complete when we add you. That’s integrity. Join Mark on a luxurious wine cruise along the Rhine and Moselle rivers.

The journey into wine began with Kory’s visit over 20 years ago to Australia in Barossa Valley, traveling to many of its wineries. The intimate engagements and world class wines ignited a 20+ year passion for wine with the goal to find a perfect place to dive deep into winemaking and share that love with others. Catherine and Kory have since made wine a central part of their lives visiting many regions around the US and Europe and then moving to Paso Robles, CA, to start making their own wine at Gelfand Vineyards. In 2020 the couple officially became owners of the over 20-year-old Gelfand Vineyards and also now serve as the winemaker sharing some of California’s best and hidden gem wines from all estate grown fruit. The 25-acre property features Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo and Sangiovese. While producing just 2,000 cases annually, Catherine and Kory believe the secret to success is growing high quality fruit, focused time and attention in the winemaking process and building long-lasting relationships with visitors to the boutique vineyard that is Gelfand Vineyards. They look forward to sharing these wines and creating many more memories with you.

Mike Owen’s lifelong wine journey has taken him from California to France, from the cellar to the judging table, from a wine aficionado to a wine businessman. Mike and his wife Melissa own and operate Crystal Basin Cellars in the Sierra Foothills of the El Dorado appellation. Working with almost 20 different grapes provides an extensive line-up of award-winning wines. Mike has great success with Rhone varieties planted at high elevations. You can literally taste the difference on these flavorful wines. Who doesn’t want to talk about and sip great Syrah and Mourvedre? Mike’s palate, easygoing informative approach, plus his serious, wine-geeky patter all set him up to be an All-Star host for AmaWaterways. Crystal Basin’s winemaking history extends back nearly 40 years. Mike and Melissa lived on the Cote-d Azur for three years in the 90s. This was their playground – let them share their enthusiasm on an unforgettable trip.

Mark Jessup is third generation born and raised in Napa Valley. He started his winemaking career 41 years ago at Inglenook Winery. It was there he decided that winemaking would be his life career. He went on to work with the cellar team at Robert Mondavi and Opus One. In 1996, Mark launched his first winery, Jessup Cellars in Yountville, California. Mark enjoyed this until 2005 when he decided to “slow his soul down” and sold Jessup Cellars to launch J Gregory Cellars. J Gregory, a 2000 case production, is named after Mark’s third son, Jonathan Gregory Jessup. Join Mark & Kandice on their Wine Cruise along the Enticing Douro.

“I believe my winemaking and my art are just different mediums with the same passion.” Explains owner/winemaker Dave Dart. Being involved in every aspect of winemaking, from the harvest to bottling, involves equal portions of creativity and knowledge. It is not surprising that Dave turns to his other art forms to rejuvenate and refresh his mind. Each d’Art label is a creation of Dave’s beautiful art prints can be seen in the tasting room.

With 13 years of love and hard work, Dave and Helen look forward to sharing our story and our wine with you on this Ama Waterways River Cruise. Through our discussions we will walk through the vineyards, crush and ferment the wine, barrel and blend, and finally bottle and deliver to our club members. We’ll also explore the different styles of wine from d’Arts Lodi wines to the wines of the Rhine River.

Steve and Alice Cass started in the wine business in 1999 with the acquisition of their property in Paso Robles, California that was to become the vineyard and later, the winery. Recently Cass Winery was named “2015 Winery of the Year” by the Central Coast Wine Competition for the most recognized winery that presented the most exceptional selection of wines. “We are thrilled with how well our wines did and how they were received” says Cass winemaker Sterling Kragten. Established in 2005, the winery currently produces 10,000 cases a year with emphasis on producing wines that express their varietal nature and the vineyard. The wines may be lighter in color and body but more complex in flavors and nuances. This is generally referred to as an ‘old world’ style wine. Join Steve and Alice as they take you on a journey, sampling the many “Tastes of Bordeaux”.

When Carol and Stephen Hoyt were just married, a stay at a working vineyard inspired them to have a vineyard of their own. At the time, Carol was a working model and actress, best known for her popular character, the villianous Divatox, in the Power Rangers series. Upon starting a family, Carol took a break from performing, and she and Stephen moved to Malibu. There they planted their first vineyard – in their backyard! Having no idea of what they were getting themselves into, Carol soon discovered they would have a lot of fruit, and quickly learned to make her first wine in their kitchen. Long gone are the days of making wine at home. Carol now makes wine and grows all her grapes in the heart of Paso Robles’ coveted west side. The Hoyt’s boutique winery, not only boasts award winning wines, but also micro-winery of the year.

Wrath wines have received notable acclaim from Robert Parker, Wine Spectator and other respected wine reviewers, due to Sabrine’s winemaking talent. Back in June 2004, after graduating from UC Davis, Sabrine joined San Saba Vineyard. She successfully guided the winery through its transition from San Saba to Wrath when current owner, Michael Thomas, bought the winery in 2007. Wrath wines are made with an enormous amount of care and a large experimental streak. It’s that spirit of experimentation that makes these wines exciting. Join Sabrine on this voyage down the Seine, visiting the beautiful historic villages and seaports that inspired Monet, Cezanne and Renoir.

Jody’s a travelling spirit. If you ask her what inspires her, you get a million glimpses of the world she’s seen. This old world teaches us a lot, if we slow down and let it. And, if we sit across a table from a stranger with a couple glasses of great wine, before long, it’s surprising how much we all share. Wine gathers its taste from everything it encounters. The earth. The air. Everything leaves a mark. So do people. Jody’s passion for wine began in the Napa Valley and further explored through numerous experiences in the vineyards and wineries throughout Italy and France. Formally educated as one of the first graduates from WSU’s extension studies of Enology. Jody has a passion for developing wines that best represent the possibilities for Washington Wines.

Before the vineyard and winery, Stephen and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company that taught them the value of providing “world-class” product to a loyal customer base. Upon arriving in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon, Stephen carefully mapped out 40 acres of vineyards to be planted. Each variety, clone, and rootstock was carefully selected to match the diverse hillside soil and unique micro-climates. Using only fruit grown from the estate’s Prayer Rock and Romancing Rock Vineyards, winemaking is kept to small lots preserving the distinctiveness of each varietal and clone. Stephen became the award-winning pioneer of U.S. Gruner Veltliner, and since 2009, Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards has garnered 18 “Best of Class,” 7 “Double Platinum,” 17 “Platinum,” 38 “Double Gold,” and 99 “Gold” Medals across 10 different varietals. And yes, there really is a “Prayer Rock” at the vineyard -- at the top of the south-facing slope is a large rock that was the meeting place for Stephen and his son in the mornings to pray to God for blessing over their vineyard. Not only did this family practice establish the name of the vineyard, but it has kept the Reustle’s very busy. Since then, they have bottled 5,000 - 8,000 cases of wine annually, selling out every year.

In 1967, Amelia Morán Ceja emigrated to the U.S. to join her father, a farmworker, who toiled for years in California’s vineyards. Today she’s crossing another border, turning wine consumers into wine aficionados with her subtle blend of viticulture, down-home cuisine and a Web-based marketing campaign. Ceja Vineyards was founded by Amelia and her partners in Napa Valley in 1999; she became the first Mexican-American woman ever to be elected president of a winery. The California legislature recognized Amelia as “Woman of the Year” in 2005 for “breaking the glass ceiling in a very competitive business.” Amelia’s commitment to marketing ethics and corporate responsibility has been acknowledged. She received the coveted 2013 Academy of Marketing Science Distinguished Marketer Award. She has been successful in the growth of the Ceja Vineyards brand, using marketing innovation and creativity. In February 2016, Amelia received the 2016 Dolores Huerta Farmworker Justice Award for her and her company’s commitment to promoting the value and fair treatment of farmworkers.

Grey Wolf Cellars and Barton Family Wines was established by Joe Sr. and Shirlene Barton in 1994. The couple dreamed of owning a winery and building a family business for generations to come. Joe Jr. attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo while the winery was in its infancy, working alongside his parents to get it off the ground. Following the untimely passing of his father in 1998, and at the young age of 23, Joe was tasked with continuing his family legacy and creating a distinct style of his own. Joe focuses on specific vineyard sites that offer a distinct character to each hand-crafted wine which complement each variety. In 2020, Joe received the distinction of being named San Luis Obispo County Winemaker of the Year. Today, Joe and his wife Jenny run the business as a husband-and-wife team alongside Joe’s mom Shirlene who remains an integral part of the day-to-day operations.

Peter Marks is one of only 24 Masters of Wine residing in the U.S. and was the first American to win the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award for having the highest tasting score on the rigorous MW exam. He has served as Director of Wine at the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets in the San Francisco area, Chief Wine Merchant for online wine retailer Wine.com, and Senior Vice President of Wine at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. Peter is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators, sits on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Wine Library and judges many international wine competitions.

Featured prominently in the iconic movie Sideways, Fiddlehead Cellars’ owner and winemaker Kathy Joseph is recognized as a pioneer among female winemakers. With unbridled passion and enthusiasm, Kathy creates stylistic Sauvignon Blanc and silky, textural Pinot Noir. She produces about 5,000 cases of wine at Fiddlehead annually, infusing her personal touch in each grape cluster, barrel of wine and bottle that finds its way to the table. Her quest is simple: to incorporate European beauty into these New-World varietals by working with grapes grown in the ideal spot and wines managed with great care and respect in the cellar. All varietals, including Grüner Veltliner from Austria, are celebrated for their successful Old-World pedigree; all have the potential to convey sensory elegance and have proven to gratify a broad range of discriminating palates. Join Kathy and her husband Tom as they lead you along the Danube River, exploring this rich wine region.

Messina Hof is the most awarded and renowned Texas wine in national and international competitions. In a community steeped in tradition, Messina Hof Winery & Resort holds its own with a 200-year history of award-winning wines. Although the winery itself was officially established when with the first vintage release in 1983, the rich wine heritage of Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo dates back six generations to Messina, Sicily. Merrill Bonarrigo’s family originates from Hof, Germany. Together they have pioneered the Texas wine industry in creating premium wines of distinction and a landmark wine country destination.

Holly and Tom Cooper, owners, fell in love with the varieties of Southern France’s Rhone Valley when they shared a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape on their honeymoon. Years later, when they fulfilled their life long dream of planting a vineyard it was a natural choice to plant these very same grapes. As the vineyard was being planted, their daughter, Carrie learned the art of winemaking and met Josh Bendick, another aspiring winemaker along the way. They not only fell for each other but with the idea of crafting Rhone varietal wines. It’s been a love affair ever since. Together, the family produces wines from their mountainous El Dorado County vineyard. It sits at nearly 3000 feet in elevation and is located half way between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Join Carrie & Josh on this beautiful wine cruise along the Rhone!

Being one of the first Indian women to own a winery in the US, that was named in the Top- 10 tasting experiences in America by USA Today, comes with a lot of responsibility, having to answer more questions on Culture than Vintages, on Food than Wine, on Inspirations than Medals. Her journey started in a small town south of Mumbai where her mother lives and regularly visits the local spice market to purchase the fragrant herbs and spices that go into handmade Tandoori Masala. That is the inspiration that helped her to create LXV Wines as a space where the flavors from around the world are brought together at the tasting table – through wines and through pairings. Neeta’s ultimate goal is to create a movement that inspires and heightens moments, and that transcends the personal, business and community. Join her on this wonderful sensory journey through the wine regions of Burgundy and the Rhone!

Holly Howell writes a wine column for the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester and is a well-respected New York-based authority on the wines of the Finger Lakes region, particularly Rieslings. She spent a year in France studying French food and wine, teaches wine and food pairing classes, and has served as a judge for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and also writes a popular blog. Holly is currently pursuing her Wine Spirit Education & Trust diploma.

The Anthony Road Wine Company story began in April of 1973 with the planting of the first vines that established our vineyards. Having moved to the Finger Lakes from Baltimore early in the year, Ann and John Martini took a leap of faith and became grape growers at the suggestion of a friend. The first vines were French-American hybrid vines planted specifically for the Taylor Wine Company. Over the year, the family and the vineyard grew to include four children (Peter, Sarah, Maeve and Elizabeth) and 30 acres of vines. A true family affair, the four children and their spouses are integral parts of the day to day business. The 12 grandchildren help or hinder whenever they can. Today the Anthony Road Wine Company processes fruit from 90 acres of grapes between two vineyard sites. Our commitment to the land, vineyards and quality wines result in an experience we are proud to share with you. Join John and Ann Martini on this wine cruise adventure along the beautiful Rhine River.

The Sciandri Family purchased 20 acres of untouched pasture in Napa in 1992. It was not long before they planted our first Cabernet Sauvignon field and started their Napa adventure in wine. Their family winemaking roots can be traced back to the small town of La Quercia, Italy, in Northern Tuscany, where their ancestors have been making wine for generations. As a family they strive to operate their winery with some of those same Old World values. They are proud to farm and source all of their fruit from the Coombsville AVA, (the 16th, and one of Napa Valley’s newest sub appellations). Sciandri Family Vineyards offers an Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville Cuvee, a Rose, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a special 4 barrel production of a wine called “Nello”. The 4+ acre vineyard on the 20 acre estate is allied with the Napa Green Certified Land Program, which includes a certification for Fish Friendly Farming. The family focuses on sustainable practices related to soil, drainage, wildlife and more. The Sciandri Family invites you to join them on this incredible Wine Cruise on the Danube.

Fleury Estate Winery is a family owned winery in the heart of the Napa Valley. Brian Fleury made the decision to turn his skills as a successful Bay Area businessman to the wine business purchasing the estate in Rutherford in 2000. Brian has always had a passion for fine wines and specifically Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley. So, when he was ready for a change, Brian decided to turn to a career in winemaking and brought his entire family with him to the Napa Valley. Upon arrival in Napa, Brian set about learning how to make wine from various mentors and friends in the valley. The Fleury Estate Winery is the result of years of passion, hard work and dedication that Brian and Claudia love to share with their guests.

Becker Vineyards was founded by Dr. Richard Becker, a physician in San Antonio, and his wife Bunny. Established in 1992, Becker is one of the original four wineries in Fredericksburg and today they are among the best known and highly respected brands in the state of Texas. Becker Vineyards’ wine has been served in the stateliest of settings, including seven times in the White House, the James Beard Foundation in New York, the Texas Governor’s Mansion and many other famous restaurants in Texas and the United States.

Susanne Sapier has always had a passion for good wine and great fun. In 2008 Susanne purchased a property in the inland San Diego County town of Ramona, CA to start a vineyard. Just three weeks later the first vines were planted. By 2011 sufficient quantities of her estate-grown grapes were ready to make the first year’s production of Vineyard Grant James wines. Named after her son Grant and father James, this family owned winery is rapidly growing by reputation and word-of-mouth. In 2017 Travel + Leisure magazine named Vineyard Grant James the #2 winery in the USA by visitor popularity; high praise indeed!

Capturing the earth, the weather and the year in a bottle, wine is ultimate farming. It was in 1995 when Elaine and Jerry added vines to the fields of vegetables, grains and arborvitae on the family’s 5th generation Willamette Valley farm. They designated this 20-acre estate vineyard St. Columban. In 1999, they co-founded Owen Roe Winery in what was formerly the machine shop for the farm. They rolled out the tractors and combines and rolled in the tanks and barrels, transforming the space into a full production winery. The winery is situated on 1500 acres that the family has farmed since the 1850’s. Adjacent to Champoeg State Heritage Area where Oregon’s first provisional government was founded in 1843, each generation has cultivated crops, family, and memories. In 2012, they created a new winery and gathering space that would honor the past and contribute to the rich history of this land. Join Jerry & Elaine on this beautiful wine cruise along the Rhone.