Once you meet Gianna you’ll always know who to connect with in the future to be entertained. Studying Wine Business and Anthropology/Archaeology at SSU, Gianna quickly found the only way to truly know what went into wine was to make it. She worked with Flowers Vineyards and Winery for seven years and left as their Assistant Winemaker. She continued to make wine as a consultant and journeyed into Market Management at Saverglass and Scott Labs. Gianna then thought she would round it out with Wine Education work for Backroads on their Napa/Sonoma Tours & dive into retail at Andy’s Market! Nestled in her cellar home at Taft Street, she is willing to take a stab at start-up ideas, horrible first concept ideas and all in all anything that makes you want to figure out the next best way to be creative. She could just make wine…She does that too. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Wine is meant to be shared and she shares with all who care to imbibe with her!

I grew up in Santa Rosa and earned a degree in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly. Since then, I have worked in several premier wine regions, including Napa Valley, Sonoma County, New Zealand, and Australia. I currently work at Opus One Winery, where I continue to pursue my passion for winemaking.

Raleigh O’Brien has more than 15 years of experience in the wine industry and currently serves as General Manager of RED Custom Crush & Premium Wine Storage, a role she assumed after advancing through multiple leadership positions with the company since 2017. She oversees winery operations, strategic planning, client relations, financial performance, and capital projects.

Prior to becoming General Manager, Raleigh served as Director of Winery Operations at RED and previously held winemaking and operations roles with Draxton Wines and The Wine Group. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Throughout her career, Raleigh has worked with grapes and wines sourced from wine regions across California, collaborating with wineries of various sizes and styles. This broad industry experience provides her with a well-rounded perspective that she is honored to bring as a competition judge.

An active member of the Sonoma County wine industry for more than 16 years, Tyler is inspired not only by the region’s exceptional wines, but also by the strength, values, and sense of community that define it. As a proud Sonoma State University alum, he appreciates Sonoma County’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and the meaningful support shown for the LGBTQIA+ community. He is particularly grateful for the collaborative partnerships and community-driven initiatives that continue to advance equity, foster belonging, and contribute to a more just and welcoming society.

Lucas Kainoa Alvillar was born and raised in Sonoma County as the son of two local educators. While studying at Santa Rosa Junior College he found a fascination for the chemical complexity of wine, realizing it was one of the most sophisticated substances the human body could perceive. He left to earn his degree in Molecular Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz hoping to bring his love for chemistry back to wine country.

In 2021 he participated in his first harvest and has been engulfed in the world of wine ever since. Previously working in hospitality, wine making, and as an R&D liaison for Delicato Family Wines he now can be found at Alexander Valley Vineyards working as a wine educator and enologist. You will find Lucas fills a unique role in the wine industry, enjoying teaching others about the nuances behind the wine experience and the craft required to create world class wines.

Bekah Burnett has worked in a variety of roles throughout Sonoma County’s wine industry for the past twelve years, with a focus on hospitality, marketing, and consumer engagement. She brings a unique perspective that combines wine knowledge, consumer insight, and dedication to exceptional guest experiences. Bekah has served as a professional wine judge for over four years and is passionate about recognizing quality and craftsmanship in winemaking. She is currently working at Hartford Family Winery, where she began her wine career back in 2014.

Raised in Lawrence, Kansas, Elliot discovered his love for hospitality early on while working in restaurants in a vibrant college town, where he learned the power of using great food and wine to bring people together.
In 2019, he moved to Healdsburg, where his family roots run deep, and his passion for wine quickly took hold. He soon became a manager at the local institution, Campo Fina, deepening his wine knowledge and building lasting relationships with guests and colleagues. Elliot later helped open Troubadour Bread & Bistro as Maître d’, contributing to the development of both the service culture and wine program, with a focus on local producers and global wines.

Now, as Tasting Room Coordinator at Reeve Wines in Dry Creek Valley, Elliot brings a thoughtful, guest-centered approach to hospitality, creating personal, memorable experiences

Raised in Sonoma County, Kristy attended California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a degree in Psychology while building a strong foundation in hospitality through various roles at the Aquarium of the Pacific. During her years in Southern California, frequent visits to Temecula wine country rekindled her connection to vineyard life and inspired her return home to Sonoma County after nearly a decade away.

For the past 12 years, Kristy has served as Director of Hospitality and Retail Sales at Alexander Valley Vineyards, where she combines her passion for people, wine, and authentic guest experiences. Her appreciation for the wine industry continues to deepen, and she remains committed to sharing that enthusiasm with others through education, hospitality, and thoughtful engagement with wine.

Brendan grew up in Healdsburg and began working harvest at the age of 19. His initial exposure to wineries came early through a family connection to the industry. After graduating cum laude with a degree in Enology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, his passion for travel led him abroad for three years and five harvests across Australia, Argentina, Chile, Hungary, and Portugal. Exposure to diverse winemaking regions, languages, and techniques sharpened his winemaking skills and expanded his technical understanding. Following six additional harvests in Sonoma County, Brendan recently began his role as an Enology Sales Representative for ATPGroup, continuing his career in the wine industry.

William “Bill” Guadagni is a fourth-generation farmer rooted in the Dry Creek Valley, a region his family has cultivated since 1898. With a degree in Enology from Fresno State, Bill’s winemaking journey began abroad, working the harvest as a cellar hand in South Australia’s renowned McLaren Vale at Hardys Tintara. Upon returning to the U.S., he further developed his technical expertise in the lab at Martinelli Winery, where he became friends with consulting winemaker Erin Green. Their connection led to Erin offering to mentor Bill starting in 2015, providing him with invaluable skills and insights that continue to shape his winemaking philosophy today.

In 2016, Bill assumed the role of winemaker for his family’s label, Guadagni Family Wines, while continuing to work with Erin Green on consulting projects for Ehret Family Wines. In January 2023, Bill became the winemaker for Orsi Family Vineyards, with the 2023 vintage marking his debut for the brand.

Nicola “Nico” Pellacani is a 28-year-old Italian-born winemaker based in Petaluma, currently making wine in Napa at Saintsbury. He leads Saintsbury’s experimental Footnotes R&D series, working with site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and esoteric varieties from vineyards like Alder Springs. Nico is also the co-founder and winemaker of Bestie Wines, a small California label he is building alongside his mentor Tim Colla.
He studied Viticulture & Enology at the University of Bologna and first came to California in 2018 for a harvest at Saintsbury, which ignited his commitment to California wine. After returning to Italy during COVID, he joined Caviro—Italy’s largest wine cooperative and a leader in circular economy models—where he evaluated and developed wines for major international buyers. His path has since taken him back to California via Australia, where he also completed a Yarra Valley harvest.
Nico is now enrolled in the MBA in Wine Business at Sonoma State University (recipient of the E. & J. Gallo Scholarship) while working full-time at Saintsbury. His work blends Old World training, cooperative-scale tasting experience, and a curiosity for innovation—making him especially interested in benchmarking, sensory evaluation, and emerging styles.

Originally from the Big Island of Hawaii, Darriene discovered a passion for wine while working in the luxury hospitality industry. After furthering wine education through online study, she moved to Sonoma County a little less than a year ago to gain hands-on experience in the wine industry. Last fall, she completed a harvest internship in Napa Valley before joining the team at Merriam Vineyards in November 2025.

Sarah Qualters is Vice President of Marketing at Rack & Riddle, where she leads brand and growth strategy for the country’s #1 custom sparkling wine producer. Her career spans leading roles across the wine and consumer goods industries, including The Wine Group and Clorox, with a focus on building impactful brands and driving innovation. She is dedicated to advancing how wine connects with modern consumers and the next generation of the industry.  

Sonnay Alvarez is a wine marketing professional, writer, and competition judge based in Idaho. As the founder of Altanto Vino, she works with wineries and beverage brands across the Pacific Northwest, helping translate winemaking into compelling, consumer-facing storytelling. Her work focuses on connecting with today’s wine drinkers through approachable, engaging content while supporting the growth and visibility of emerging wine regions.