Napa, CA (April 26, 2022) – BRAND Napa Valley, the prestigious estate atop Pritchard Hill, today announces the appointment of Angela Paxton as Hospitality and Events Manager. A seasoned hospitality veteran, Paxton possesses an extensive knowledge of the food and wine industry, having previously worked at Michelin star restaurants including The French Laundry, Per Se, Le Bernardin, and Benu.
“We are thrilled to introduce Angela as the newest member of the BRAND Napa Valley team,” said Christine O’Sullivan, co-proprietor of BRAND Napa Valley. “With decades of high-end hospitality experience, Angela is a natural addition to our existing team as we continue to offer personalized, hands-on service to our customers at the winery and from afar.”
Paxton was first hired to work at The French Laundry under Laura Cunningham at age 18. Her experience at The French Laundry led to new opportunities in New York City, where she joined the team at Per Se and later Le Bernardin. In that role, Paxton became the first female Captain in Le Bernardin’s history. Upon returning to the West Coast, Paxton worked at San Francisco’s Benu before returning to Napa and the French Laundry as Maitre d’ and Private Events Manager.
In her new role at BRAND, Paxton will oversee event execution, assist Kristi Devine in hosting private tours and tastings, and support Janet Pagano with marketing operations. “I’m honored to be joining the incredible team at BRAND Napa Valley,” said Paxton. “I have been inspired by the unique philosophy and creativity at BRAND for years, and look forward to learning from my talented colleagues and serving their wonderful clientele as I dive into this new and exciting role.”
Born in Fremont, Paxton lived and worked in Northern California and New York throughout her career before returning to settle in Napa Valley in 2008. During the pandemic, Paxton served on the Board of Directors for the Keller Restaurant Relief Fund, a non-profit that assisted hospitality employees during COVID restaurant closures.
About BRAND Napa Valley
Founded in 2009 and acquired in 2019 by long-time Napa Valley grape growers and former Apple executives Jim Bean and Christine O’Sullivan, the BRAND Napa Valley estate sits on a stunning 110-acre property atop Pritchard Hill. The winery, designed by Architect Juan Carlos Fernandez, exemplifies environmentally sensitive designs and aligns with BRAND’s focus on sustainability. A total of 15 planted acres are organically farmed and thoughtfully cultivated, with a total of 16 individual vineyard blocks curated to 13 different rootstock and clonal combinations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. BRAND Napa Valley produces three red flagship wines—BRAND Cabernet Sauvignon, BRAND Proprietary Blend, and BRAND Vineyard N°95—alongside the limited release BRAND White Wine. Biodynamic farming practices were initiated in 2020 because BRAND believes what is below the ground should be as full of life as what grows above.
Director of Winemaking Philippe Melka has been involved in BRAND from its inception and is highly involved in all aspects of farming and winemaking. Winemaker Matt Johnson works closely with Melka, cultivating and creating BRAND wines that express the distinctive beauty of this estate, while Cellar Master Robbie Crabb oversees boots-on-the-ground production and facilities management for BRAND’s growing portfolio. Longtime industry expert Janet Pagano oversees business, production, sales, and marketing operations as COO, and Director of Hospitality and Sales Kristi Devine manages all DTC sales and marketing. Hospitality and Events Manager Angela Paxton hosts tours and tastings, oversees event execution, and assists with additional marketing operations. Guests can schedule tours and tastings by appointment. For more information, please visit www.brandnapavalley.com.
