2027 Eastern Winery Exposition

Flor E. Acevedo Ph.D

Penn State University

Associate Professor of Entomology

Dr. Flor Acevedo is an Associate Professor of Entomology at Penn State University whose research focuses on developing sustainable, science-based solutions for managing insect pests in high-value crops. Her integrated research program combines laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies to address practical challenges facing growers and the agricultural industry. Over the past six years, Dr. Acevedo has led research on two of the most important insect pests affecting grape production in eastern North America: the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and the native grape berry moth (Paralobesia viteana). Her work has advanced knowledge towards the development of economic thresholds for spotted lanternfly management, evaluated the susceptibility of grapevine species and cultivars to this invasive pest, and has improved our understanding of grapevine–insect interactions to support more effective and sustainable pest management strategies. Dr. Acevedo earned her B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Caldas in Colombia and her Ph.D. in Entomology from Penn State University. Throughout her 20-year research career, she has made significant contributions to insect–plant interactions, chemical ecology, integrated pest management, biological control, and insect biology. In addition to her research, she is actively engaged in Extension programming for the grape and wine industry and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in entomology at Penn State.

Andrew Adams

WineBusiness Monthly

Senior Editor, WineBusiness Monthly

Andrew Adams is a senior editor with WineBusiness Monthly and produces and coordinates the publication’s editorial coverage of the industry in the eastern United States. Adams is also the editor of the weekly newsletter Deals, Data and Insights that features regular market analysis, data and original reporting on the entire industry. Adams grew up in the city of Sonoma, Calif., and graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. As a reporter and editor for daily newspapers in Oregon and California, Adams won awards for investigative and business reporting. In 2009, Adams left the newspaper industry for a harvest internship at a winery in Napa Valley. That internship led to a full-time position in the cellar and laboratory where Adams worked for three vintages before joining the WineBusiness company.

Melissa Aellen

Linganore Winecellars & Simple Theory Wine Co

Director of Winery Operations

Melissa Aellen is a third-generation vintner from Mt. Airy, Maryland, and the co-founder of Simple Theory Wine Co. in Frederick. She earned a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from Cornell University, gaining hands-on experience across wine regions like Oregon, Napa, and New Zealand, and later completed an Executive MBA. After returning to her family’s winery, Linganore Winecellars, in 2017, she became Director of Winery Operations, helping lead sustainability initiatives and innovation. Melissa brings a fresh perspective to Maryland wine while honoring her family’s legacy. She currently serves as President of the Maryland Wineries Association.

Eric Amberg

Amberg Grapevines, LLC

Owner & General Manager

Eric is an accomplished viticulturist and the owner and general manager of Amberg Grapevines, LLC, a family business founded by his father Herman Amberg in 1957. With a deep-rooted passion for grape cultivation and winemaking, Eric has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable practices in the industry.

Under Eric’s leadership, Amberg Grapevines has grown to become a key supplier of NY-Certified and non-certified grafted and own-rooted grapevines, serving the eastern three-quarters of the U.S. and Canada. A significant focus of the nursery is on developing new and sustainable grape varieties, including PIWI’s from Europe and selections from Cornell and other American breeders. Eric believes these varieties will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Eastern grape and wine industry.

Eric has 35 years of professional experience in vineyard management, winemaking, grape nursery management, and consulting, He is actively involved in advancing industry standards and practices, serving on several boards including the National Clean Plant Network, Grapes; the Ontario County Farm Bureau; and the Finger Lakes Grape Program Advisory Committee.

Tyler Balliet

Rebel School of Wine

Author

Tyler Balliet is a bestselling author and entrepreneur who has been reshaping the wine industry since 2006. Her debut book, Rebel School of Wine, was nominated for a James Beard Book Award in 2025. Tyler founded Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot, two wildly successful wine experience companies that drew over 500,000 guests and helped change the way Millennials and Gen Z experience wine.

She has appeared on CNN, ABC News, and Good Morning America and featured in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Fast Company, and many others. A former Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 honoree, Tyler continues to push the boundaries of wine culture by blending design, storytelling, and history to make wine more accessible, inclusive, and fun, for everyone. Tyler lives in New York City.

Peter Bell

Winery Consultant

Peter, a Canadian native, was the winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards from 1995-2022. He holds degrees in Enology from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Australia and in Anthropology from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He worked as a winemaker in Australia and New Zealand before landing in the Finger Lakes region of New York in 1990 to be head winemaker at Dr. Frank’s. He was also an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University and lectured to wine industry professionals throughout the world.

Peter is also a member of the EWE Program Advisory Board. He retired from full-time winemaking in 2022 and is active as a consultant to wineries in the eastern U.S.

Mike Beneduce

Beneduce Vineyards

Owner and Winemaker

Mike Beneduce is the owner, vineyard manager, and winemaker at Beneduce Vineyards in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He oversees 27 acres of estate vineyards dedicated to producing 100% estate-grown wines, with a focus on northern European aromatic varieties. A graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology, Mike is also a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. His work is driven by a commitment to sustainable farming, thoughtful vineyard stewardship, and artisanal winemaking. In 2022, he was honored as New Jersey’s Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year.

Loretta Briedé

Briedé Family Vineyards

Co-owner and General Manager

Loretta Briedé is co-owner and General Manager of Briedé Family Vineyards in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. She studied applied biodynamic viticulture at the Josephine Porter Institute and managed the vineyard during its formative years, helping establish the estate’s early viticultural practices. Today, Loretta directs the business and hospitality operations of Briedé Family Vineyards, overseeing the tasting room, staff, events, marketing, customer experience, and day-to-day operations. She has played a central role in developing the winery’s boutique brand, expanding its hospitality offerings, and positioning Briedé as a distinctive small-production Virginia winery.

Paul Briedé

Briedé Family Vineyards

Owner and Vintner of Briedé

Paul Briedé is the owner and vintner of Briedé Family Vineyards in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. A retired United Airlines Boeing 777 Captain, Paul brought the same dedication, precision, and passion from his aviation career to the vineyard, where he is actively involved in managing the vines and producing distinctive, small-lot wines. Together with his wife, Loretta, he has helped build Briedé Family Vineyards into a boutique winery known for its innovative wines and commitment to unique grape varieties. When he isn’t working among the vines, Paul is an avid runner and enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Matthew Brown

Founder

MWJ Brown Consulting

Matthew Brown is a Charlottesville, Virginia–based wine business consultant and educator with over 15 years of industry experience, including harvest work in Virginia, California, and Argentina. As Coordinator of the Virginia Wine Coalition, he leads trade development and consumer research for the state’s wineries. As Founder of MWJ Brown Consulting, he advises wine and hospitality businesses on branding, consumer strategy, and front-of-house training. He holds the WSET Diploma, is a Stage 2 Master of Wine student, teaches at the Capital Wine School in Washington, D.C., and judges for the Virginia Governor’s Cup and other regional wine competitions.

Melanie Buck Lu

Meridian Advisory Partners

Head of Business & Growth and Co-Founder

Melanie Buck Lu is a digital growth strategist and co-founder of Meridian Advisory Partners, where she helps wineries and consumer brands turn data into smarter business decisions and measurable growth. With 15+ years of experience, her work spans ecommerce, customer strategy, experimentation, and digital performance, with a focus on connecting marketing metrics to real business outcomes.

Federico Casassa, Ph.D.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Professor of Enology & Sensory Analysis

Federico is a full professor of Enology and Wine Sensory Analysis with the WVIT département at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California. The focus of Fererico’s research lies in the broad areas of grape and wine chemistry and biochemistry and their sensory implications, with special emphasis on applied research. He has been involved in research projects focused on the impact of irrigation techniques, especially Regulated Deficit Irrigation. He is also interested in the chemical and sensory aspects arising from intrinsic variations of berry size in red wine cultivars, and their impact during winemaking. Current and ongoing research projects include studies on the extraction of phenolics of sensory relevance during the course of different maceration techniques in red wines (cold soak, extended maceration, saignée, cofermentation, stem and whole cluster additions), coupled with other regulating factors (grape maturity and composition, ethanol content, SO2 dosing), hyperoxidation, oxidation reduction potential, acid chemistry and biochemistry in wine, and their sensory impact as evaluated by formal sensory evaluation techniques. Federico is responsible for two research labs at Cal Poly that cover the broad aspects of both wine chemistry and wine sensory composition.

Davide Creato

Penn's Woods Winery

Vineyard Manager

Davide Creato is the Winemaker & Vineyard Manager at Penns Woods Winery. He was born & raised in Pietranico, a small town in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Davide grew up making wine with grapes grown at his family vineyards. From a young age, he had a passion for farming & winemaking which inspired him to formally study enology & viticulture at the University of Teramo in Italy.

In 2009, Davide began working in the vineyards of Cantina Zaccagnini in Bolognano working three harvest seasons before meeting fellow Abruzzo native & Penns Woods Winery proprietor Gino Razzi. Gino recognizing Davide’s talent, offered to personally mentor him back in Pennsylvania.

In 2012, Davide moved to the U.S. & begin working in the vineyard & winery at Penns Woods. Under Gino’s wing & with hard work, Davide flourished, eventually taking complete control over vineyard management & quickly moving from apprentice to assistant winemaker to head winemaker.

Davide has played a critical role in taking Penns Woods to the next level. His integration of sustainable agriculture, innovation & dedication to excellence has seamlessly blended with his old world roots, continuing to keep Penns Woods a leading winery in the region.

In his free time he enjoys making pasta, bread & cheese as well as curing meats. He loves tending his garden & chickens, hanging out with his dog Valentina & exploring the First State National Park trails behind the vineyard on his bike. He is a proud husband to Penns Woods Winery CFO Andrea Creato & father to their two girls Mia & Rosie.

Steve DiFrancesco

Winemaking Consultant

Steve became fascinated with wine while working in a restaurant during college. After the owner retired, Steve became the wine specialist for the restaurant. He graduated with a BS in Plant Science from Stetson University, entered the wine business in the Finger Lakes of New York, and has since enjoyed 47 harvests (plus one in Chile). Many gallons of wine have passed under his nose.

Steve worked with Guy DeVaux and Charles Fournier at Gold Seal Vineyards (owned by Seagrams), with their excellent sparkling wines, from the late ‘70’s to the mid ‘80’s. He then worked with high quality red hybrids at Bully Hill Vineyards. He was an assistant winemaker at Glenora Wine Cellars in the late ‘80’s, as part of an ambitious expansion program with an emphasis in sparkling wines. He became winemaker at Lucas Vineyards in the early ‘90’s and helped expand production in high quality sparkling and still wines.

Steve returned to Glenora in 1995 and helped expand its reputation and production. In 2000, the owners of Glenora purchased Knapp Winery, and Steve was responsible for production at both wineries. Riesling is at the forefront of production, along with other aromatic white viniferas, sparkling wines, and red viniferas, as well as hybrids and natives.

During Steve’s career he has been involved in scale-ups, scale-backs, acquisitions, start-ups, and shutdowns. His wines have won over 450 gold medals in regional, national, and international competitions. He has made over 60 professional presentations in the Northeast and Midwest. He has judged in wine competitions from California to New York to Virginia.

In 2022, Steve was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Eastern Winery Exposition.

Steve retired from Glenora during the summer of 2021, and is now available as a winemaking consultant. He has several clients in the Finger Lakes, Pennsylvania, NJ, and Long Island. He is a Vice President for the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association.

David Falchek | Moderator

EWE Moderator

David is a longtime wine writer having begun his career in the Finger Lakes. He continues to write a weekly wine column for several publications in Pennsylvania. He is the former executive director of the American Wine Society, the oldest and largest organization of wine consumers in the U.S., where he also served as publisher of the AWS Wine Journal. David has a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton and he teaches bartending and bar management. He is a member of the Order des Compagnons du Beaujolais. For several years he was an elector in the Vintners Hall of Fame in Napa Valley.

Carrie Fearer, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech

Assistant Professor of Forest Health, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Dr. Carrie Fearer graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in environmental science. She specialized in forest pathology during her doctoral work through her research on identifying the causal agent of the newly emerged beech leaf disease. After graduating, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue University and the University of New Hampshire before becoming an assistant professor in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech in 2023. Her research program at Virginia Tech focuses on developing innovative methods to control nonnative, invasive species.

Matthieu Finot

King Family Vineyards

Winemaker

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 and, more recently, is a founding member of the Winemakers’ Research Exchange and Board Member of the Monticello Wine Trail. He enjoys being active in the local winemaking community and challenging his skills through experimental design at King Family, working with different terroir at Turk Mountain Vineyards, which he currently manages, and partnering with his brother to establish and expand Domaine Finot in two regions in France.

Morgan First

Rebel School of Wine

Creative Director

Morgan First is an award-winning creative director and entrepreneur known for transforming brands into large-scale interactive events and experiences. As Creative Director for the best-selling book, Rebel School of Wine, her design direction was a key factor in the nomination for a James Beard Book Award in 2025. She was the co-founder and Creative Director of Rosé Mansion, the 32,000-square-foot pink wine amusement park in New York City that sold over 225,000 tickets and became a national media phenomenon, as well as Wine Riot, a traveling wine festival that sold more than 150,000 tickets and helped redefine how Millennials engage with wine. Starting in 2023 Morgan has worked closely with Mattel to translate the Barbie brand into live experiences by designing and building global activations including the Malibu Barbie Cafés in New York and Chicago, the Barbie Dream Suite in Montreal, and a large-scale resort takeover in the Bahamas. Morgan was named Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30, Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40, and Design: Retail Magazine 40 Under 40. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, Good Morning America, Forbes, Bloomberg, and many others. She lives in New York City.

Mel Goldman

Keuka Lake Vineyards

Owner and Vineyard Manager

After a career in international development starting with 3 years in the Peace Corps in Nepal, 20 years working for a distinguished international development institution concentrating on India and Colombia, and a period building with two Peace Corps friends a development consulting firm, Mel and his wife Dorothee discovered the Finger Lakes in 1992 and followed his desire to farm a vineyard. He initially did much of the farming himself but eventually built Keuka Lake Vineyards to grow high-quality grapes — primarily Riesling, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc and Leon Millot, sustainably, produce wines of international repute and to try to sell the wine. Keuka Lake Vineyards is the only east coast winery that has garnered 5 medals, including 2 gold, in France for its Rieslings, while its Leon Millot has won the “Best Red Wine” in the New York state Classic competition twice.

Tara Good

Trellis Collaborative

Founder & President,

Tara Good is the founder and president of the professional network and education resource Trellis Collaborative. Until 2025, she served as the Vice President of Development with WineAmeria, the national association of American wineries. For 13 years, she managed WineAmerica’s 500+ membership, developed programs and conferences, and partnered with the government affairs team to lobby on Capitol Hill. Tara has worked on agricultural, tax, and trade issues, but is best known for her work in music licensing. Prior to WineAmerica, Tara worked for the Distilled Spirits Council. She received her B.A. from Fordham University and M.A. from NYU, and is a two-time recipient of the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship, having studied Arabic in Jordan and Oman.

Drew Harner

Virginia Tech

Assistant Professor of Viticulture and Extension Specialist

Dr. Drew Harner is an Assistant Professor of Viticulture and Extension Specialist with Virginia Tech, based at the AHS Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, Virginia. His research and extension programs seek to develop practices and guidance that address the challenges facing Virginia grape producers and advance sustainable wine grape production.

Cain Hickey, PhD

Penn State

Assistant Teaching Professor of Viticulture

Cain is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Viticulture in the Plant Science Department of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. He has been engaged in viticulture research and extension since 2007. Cain has presented at state, regional, national, and international academic and industry conferences, and has developed and coordinated numerous extension workshops. He co-coordinates the Eastern Viticulture and Enology Forum webinar series with regional colleagues. Cain has authored peer-reviewed journal articles, extension publications, facts sheets, and trade publications. He currently teaches fundamental and applied viticulture in the classroom. Cain works with Penn State Grape and Wine Team colleagues and the Pennsylvania grape and wine industry to solve vineyard management issues and optimize grape production.

Craig Hosbach

Fox Run Vineyards

Head Winemaker, Fox Run Vineyards

Born and raised in New Jersey, Craig Hosbach’s winemaking journey began in 2004, close to home before finding his calling in the Finger Lakes of New York. After his time in New Jersey, he continued his professional path, accumulating over a decade of experience across multiple wineries within the northern New York winemaking region before assuming the role of head winemaker at Hunt Country Vineyards in 2017. From there, Hosbach honed his craft and shared his boundless enthusiasm for winemaking. Hosbach joined Fox Run Vineyards as head winemaker in August of 2022, infusing his expertise and passion into every bottle. During his tenure, Hosbach’s presence at Fox Run has been apparent, from his first vintage through his current releases, he has received consistent high praise from some of the most well-respected names in the wine industry.

Mengjun Hu

University of Maryland

Associate Professor of Plant Science

Mengjun Hu is an Associate Professor of Plant Pathology and currently runs the grape and small-fruit pathology lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. Mengjun’s research has been primarily focused on fungicide resistance and epidemiology, with emphasis on Botrytis spp., Colletotrichum spp., and other common fungal pathogens associated with fruit rots. He is one of the original developers of the MyIPM app and led the content development for the grape section. His lab has previously revealed ontogenic susceptibility of grapevine ripe rot and developed models to better time fungicide sprays and minimize input.

Michael Kaiser

WineAmerica

Executive Director

Michael became Executive Director of WineAmerica in May 2026 after nearly twenty years with the organization. As Executive Director, he will continue in his roles as the director of government affairs and principal administrator while adding responsibilities involving membership development and strategic planning execution.

Michael is the main voice of WineAmerica on Capitol Hill, taking WineAmerica’s message to Members of Congress and their staff. Michael is also the main point of contact between the organization and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and other federal agencies and handles general regulatory concerns for WineAmerica members.

Michael is a regular fixture at industry trade shows and conferences throughout the country and handles press inquiries related to public policy. He has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, Reuters, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator.

Prior to joining WineAmerica, Michael provided research and logistical support to two DC based lobbying firms. He also handled compliance issues with a major political party. Michael earned his BA in American Studies and Political Science from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ and a MA in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.

Molly Kelly

Penn State University

Extension Enologist

Molly joined Penn State University as the enology extension educator in the Department of Food Science in February 2018. She has led workshops including winery sanitation, filtration, microscopy, wine analysis and berry sensory analysis. Her research has focused on the effect of nitrogen and sulfur applications on Petit Manseng wine aroma and flavor. Current research includes the impact of the spotted lanternfly on wine quality.

Prior to this, Molly was the enology extension specialist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg VA. She also held the position of enology instructor at Surry Community College in Dobson NC, where she developed the enology curriculum and managed all aspects of the college’s 1,000-case bonded winery. Under her direction, Surry produced numerous international award-winning wines. Prior to her position at Surry, she was a biodefense team microbiologist with the New York State Department of Health.

Richard Leahy

Eastern Winery Exposition

Conference Manager

Richard Leahy has been the Conference Manager of the Eastern Winery Exposition since 2012. Prior to co-founding EWE in 2012, he was Conference Manager of Wineries Unlimited and East Coast Editor of Vineyard & Winery Management.

Richard has been writing about wines of Virginia and the East since 1986. In 2007 he organized the Virginia Wine Experience in London which brought the top 64 Virginia wines there for leading British wine media and trade to taste. He was a regional editor for Kevin Zraly’s American Wine Guide, and was Mid-Atlantic and Southern Editor for the Oxford Companion to the Wines of North America. He is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Richard’s book on Virginia wine, Beyond Jefferson’s Vines, the Evolution of Quality Wine in Virginia, now in a third edition, was first published in 2012 by Sterling Epicure.

In 2022, he was given the Birchenall Award by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association for his promotion of the Eastern wine industry over the years. He also has a website and blog focused on wines of the East at www.richardleahy.com. He is working on the fourth edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines; the third edition may be found online at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578701146.

Mario Mazza

Mazza Vineyards

Vice President & General Manager

With a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH – Mario went on to earn a Master’s in Enology from the University of Adelaide in Australia. While there, he gained experience in the Barossa Valley and in the Adelaide Hills. In addition to his early exposure to the family business, Mario has 15 years of experience in research & commercial winemaking, as well as sensory training including the PA Wine Quality Initiative. He has a passion for quality & excellence in both process & product.

Tony McDonnell

Windridge Vineyards

Winemaker

Tony McDonnell has worked in the Mid Atlantic wine industry since 2014. He is the head Winemaker at Windridge Vineyards in Darnestown, Maryland and works as an independent vineyard and winemaking consultant.

He subscribes to the philosophy that great wine can only be made from great grapes and is passionate about crafting wines that reflect the time and place in which they were grown.

Samantha McClure

Meridian Advisory Partners

Head of Marketing & AI Innovation and Co-Founder

Samantha McClure is a co-founder of Meridian Advisory Partners, a boutique consultancy serving wineries, nonprofits, and D2C brands. With 15 years of digital marketing experience, she specializes in understanding the customer journey and turning data insights into strategic decisions that drive business outcomes for small and mid-size businesses.

Lucie Morton

Morton Viticulture

Viticulturist

Lucie is an independent viticulturist based in Virginia. She is an internationally recognized author, ampelographer, lecturer, consultant, research collaborator, and most recently film producer. Her higher education in viticulture occurred in Europe, while her practical education began as vineyard manager on the family farm along the banks of the Potomac River, Virginia-side. Her focus on rootstocks led her to collaboration with geologists to show the need to revise potassium recommendations based on soil analyses. She believes that integrated pest management is an ever changing challenge which requires ongoing collaboration with plant pathologists worldwide.

Joanne Newborn

Newborn Evolution LLC

CEO & Founder

Joanne Newborn spent over two decades in the Beer, Wine & Spirits business in sales, marketing, strategy and distributor management, building and leading teams across North America. She has held roles at Diageo, William Grant & Sons, Banfi Vintners, Concha y Toro, Distell, Mike’s Hard and Miller Brewing Co.

Her 4-time award winning company, Newborn Evolution, partners with smart leaders to build teams that think strategically, problem-solve effectively and take true ownership of their outcomes. She and her team of exemplary coaches, consultants and trainers have worked with over 100 organizations in 50 countries around the globe, building leaders and high-impact teams from individual contributors to the C-suite.

She is proud Silver Associate Member of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America; a Corporate member of Women of the Vine & Spirits; a member of the Brewers Association and the Garden State Winegrowers Association. She brings her knowledge and expertise in the alcohol beverage industry to beer, wine and spirits, supplier and distributor clients.

Joanne frequently speaks at conferences and universities, as well as, being an author in various publications. She earned her MBA from Penn State University with Beta Gamma Sigma Honors and now is a Board Director on the Alumni World Campus Leadership Board; has her ACC credential with the International Coaching Federation; and is a Certified DiSC Practitioner.

Gratitude is her Attitude.

Tom Payette | Moderator

Winemaker & Winemaking Consultant

Tom is a hands-on, analytical, East Coast pioneering, winemaking professional with a Food Science Degree. His extended expertise focuses on winemaking, winery and vineyard start-ups and expansions, still and sparkling wine and general winery issues. Tom has over three decades of well-rounded experience in still and sparkling wine production in Virginia along with nine years in ultra-premium Bordeaux varietal wine production in Napa, CA. Tom studied under famed Bordeaux enologist Jacques Boissenot. He was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 1999 by Vineyard & Winery Management and most recently named a “Wine Industry Leader of the Year” by Wine Business Monthly. Visit winemakingconsultant.com to learn more about Tom.

Dennis Rak

Double A Vineyards

Owner

Dennis Rak is the owner of Double A Vineyards Inc. The nursery was established in 1990 and has grown into one of the largest suppliers of grapevine planting stock in the U.S. Dennis is a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Horticulture and Plant Protection. He has worked in several areas of grape production including vineyard manager, farm supply sales, and nursery production. In addition to grapevine production, Dennis grows 500 acres of grapes and other nursery crops. He has also worked closely with breeders in the introduction of new varieties to ensure grower success and adaptation.

Emmett Reed

Laurentia Vineyard & Winery

Winemaker

Emmett Reed moved to California on whim and settled in Sonoma County at the start of the 2005 harvest. He spent the next 20 vintages working in the acclaimed wine regions of Russian River and Dry Creek Valley as a winemaker and vineyard manger. Having recently re-located to the Grand River Valley in Ohio he brought his experience in viticulture and winemaking to a new region. The last four vintages have been focused on cool-climate grape growing and winemaking techniques. As the winemaker and vineyard manager he oversees the estate wine production at Laurentia Vineyards and Winery. Laurentia’s 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the 2026 Directors Choice Award for the best red wine in the state of Ohio.

Joyce Rigby

Winery Business Consultant, Rigby Viniculture | Vineyard Manager, Boxwood Estate Winery

Joyce has been involved with Eastern viticulture since the early 1980s. Her degree in Industrial Engineering has been advantageous, as she now applies those concepts and experience to business planning and winery design. In 2000 she began a vineyard management and winery design consulting firm and has consulted for vineyards and wineries in MD, NC, PA, RI, TN and VA. For seven years she taught viticulture and winery design in the Enology and Viticulture associate degree program at Harrisburg Area Community College in PA. Since 2019 she has been the Vineyard Manager for Boxwood Estate Winery in Middleburg, VA.

Becca Ritz

Bauerhaus Design

Founder

Rebecca Ritz is the “Professor of Wine Design” and the founder of Bauerhaus Design, Inc. With over 25 years of experience, she acts as the strategic creative partner for boutique wineries, statewide associations, and mission-driven organizations across the country.

Rebecca doesn’t just make brands look beautiful; she builds frameworks that sell. From packaging that disrupts the shelf to custom websites that convert traffic into club members, she takes the strategic mental load off her clients’ plates. A passionate educator and worldwide speaker, Rebecca is also the creator of the Bauerhaus Academy. Her free “Sell More Wine” course and her Digital Marketing 8-Week Workshop for wineries have helped wineries stop guessing and start leveraging digital marketing to grow the bottom line. Her philosophy is simple: Be unforgettable. Sell more wine.

Jim Russell

Aftek

Sales

Jim Russell, a seasoned expert at Aftek, brings over 20 years of specialized experience in the filtration of fermented products. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges in this industry, from a filtration to bottle standpoint. Jim has become a trusted advisor to producers seeking reliable, high-performance filtration solutions.

What sets Jim apart is his commitment to customized, client-centric solutions rather than generic, one-size-fits-all approaches. He works closely with each customer to deeply understand their specific processes, constraints, and goals, then designs tailored filtration systems that deliver measurable results. Jim has successfully supported a wide range of clients — from boutique craft producers to large-scale industrial operations helping them with technical expertise to consistently deliver added value: higher yields, lower maintenance requirements, and peace of mind that quality is never compromised.

Benjamin Stamp

Lakewood Vineyards

Winemaker

Ben was three weeks old when Lakewood Vineyards opened its doors to the public in 1989. He slept through the whole thing. After graduating from Cornell with his degree in enology, Ben traveled extensively and worked five harvests in other areas before returning to work alongside his family at Lakewood.

Zane Stevens

Protea Financial LLC

Director & Founder

Zane Stevens is the Founder of Protea Financial, an accounting and advisory firm specializing in the wine and beverage industry. With nearly two decades of accounting experience, Zane works closely with wineries and wine businesses to improve financial reporting, cost accounting, operational processes, and decision-making. He is a recognized leader in the accounting profession, a 2024 North Bay Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and a frequent speaker, writer, and podcast host. Through Protea Financial, Zane helps wine businesses understand their numbers, strengthen their financial operations, and build more sustainable, scalable businesses.

Joy Ting

Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange

Research Enologist

Joy is the Research Enologist for the Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange, a non-profit organization founded in 2014 to promote innovation through experimentation and education in the wine industry. Each year, the WRE supports 30-40 production scale experiments around practical questions focused on improving wine quality in VA. Prior to joining the WRE, Joy was the winemaker and enologist at Michael Shaps Wineworks, and she continues to produce small batch wines under her own label.

Galen Troxell

Galen Glen Winery

Co-Owner

Galen Troxell is a sixth-generation farmer, mechanical engineer, and co-owner of Galen Glen Winery, an estate winery located on his family’s 200-year-old farm in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley AVA. His engineering background has shaped his approach to vineyard development, winery operations, and solving the unique technical challenges of farming and winemaking in a demanding environment.

At Galen Glen, Galen has been instrumental in developing vineyard systems, winery infrastructure, and operational solutions that support the production of distinctive estate-grown wines from the farm’s steep shale slopes and high-elevation site.

Known for combining engineering principles with practical farming experience, Galen brings a problem-solving mindset to viticulture, equipment, and winery operations. He is passionate about innovation, land stewardship, and advancing the future of family-owned estate wineries.

Mark Wenzel

August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co.

Co-Founder and Winemaker

Mark Wenzel is the co-founder and winemaker of August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. After recognizing that the high-acid, low-tannin hybrid grapes grown in Illinois were well suited for Traditional Method sparkling wine, Mark began producing bottle-fermented sparkling wines in 2007. To distinguish these wines from August Hill Winery’s still and carbonated wines, Mark and Teri Wenzel launched Illinois Sparkling Co. in 2011.

Today, Mark continues to craft award-winning Traditional Method sparkling wines while also exploring other sparkling styles, including Pét-Nat and Charmat. A passionate advocate for Midwest sparkling wine made from hybrid grapes, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences with fellow winemakers to help elevate the quality and recognition of sparkling wines produced throughout the region.

2027 Speakers

Flor E. Acevedo Ph.D

Penn State University

Andrew Adams

WineBusiness Monthly

Melissa Aellen

Linganore Winecellars & Simple Theory Wine Co

Eric Amberg

Amberg Grapevines, LLC

Tyler Balliet

Rebel School of Wine

Peter Bell

Mike Beneduce

Beneduce Vineyards

Loretta Briedé

Briedé Family Vineyards

Paul Briedé

Briedé Family Vineyards

Matthew Brown

Founder

Melanie Buck Lu

Meridian Advisory Partners

Federico Casassa, Ph.D.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Davide Creato

Penn's Woods Winery

Steve DiFrancesco

David Falchek | Moderator

Carrie Fearer, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech

Matthieu Finot

King Family Vineyards

Morgan First

Rebel School of Wine

Mel Goldman

Keuka Lake Vineyards

Tara Good

Trellis Collaborative

Drew Harner

Virginia Tech

Cain Hickey, PhD

Penn State

Craig Hosbach

Fox Run Vineyards

Mengjun Hu

University of Maryland

Michael Kaiser

WineAmerica

Molly Kelly

Penn State University

Richard Leahy

Eastern Winery Exposition

Mario Mazza

Mazza Vineyards

Tony McDonnell

Windridge Vineyards

Samantha McClure

Meridian Advisory Partners

Lucie Morton

Morton Viticulture

Joanne Newborn

Newborn Evolution LLC

Tom Payette | Moderator

Dennis Rak

Double A Vineyards

Emmett Reed

Laurentia Vineyard & Winery

Joyce Rigby

Winery Business Consultant, Rigby Viniculture | Vineyard Manager, Boxwood Estate Winery

Becca Ritz

Bauerhaus Design

Jim Russell

Aftek

Benjamin Stamp

Lakewood Vineyards

Zane Stevens

Protea Financial LLC

Joy Ting

Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange

Galen Troxell