I started with a horticulture background in my native Oregon, but decided to change directions and study viticulture in New Zealand. Through study, internship and hands-on training I learned how to raise wine from soil to the bottle. A passionate student of the art of wine, I have followed the Pinot Noir trail around the world, occasionally detouring to work with other varietals. I was fortunate to fine-tune my skills in two of the finest Pinot Noir producing regions, New Zealand’s Central Otago and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, as well as widening my scope in California and Colorado. Landing in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2006, I started Armitage Wines in 2008, and by 2013 I took over production at Heart O’ The Mountain Estate. The winery and vineyard sit at 1500 feet above Monterey Bay, and I am dedicated to harnessing the unique terroir of this mountain paradise to nurture the wines to their delicate balance and perfection.

I was born and raised not far from Armitage Winery, and after an initial career in healthcare began my formal wine education in Christchurch, New Zealand. From there I studied enology and viticulture in Oregon, and had the great privilege to spend many years working and learning from several American pioneers of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, plus squeezed a couple more New Zealand harvests in between. I eventually returned to California, and after the first vintage of Armitage Wines in 2008 I left the industry to start a small organic farm. My love of winemaking never subsided though, so I came full circle and rejoined Brandon’s label in 2019. I now wear many hats, including marketing and events and assisting Brandon in the cellar.

I joined as a partner in 2018 and am the Events Director for Armitage Wines as well as the promoter of the Tiny Winery Concert series. You can also find me at the tasting room, bottling line, crush pad and lots of other positions around the winery. I spent the first part of my career as an educator, opening an innovative total immersion language school for children and community members. Shifting gears to agriculture, I owned and operated an organic farm for ten years before committing to learning the ropes of winemaking from start to finish. I relish the idea of pairing exquisite wine with equally as vital music, food and comradery to create memorable Armitage experiences.

I met the winery team organically through country roads, farms, and farmers markets; and when our winemaker realized my Chinese zodiac sign was a snake, well, the rest was history. I bring with me a background in communications, sales, and marketing for small businesses and non-profits in the green industry. My ethos and experience working with land-based businesses made joining our sustainable winery a natural evolution of my talents, interests, and rock and roll lifestyle. Wine pairings, those key placements, and conspiring with the fine folks in the restaurant, wine, and event worlds are my favorite perks of the job! Drop me an email to talk sales.