NAPA / SONOMA, CALIFORNIA | November 26, 2024 — On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. the Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense’s (WWS) Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable will celebrate its members’ 10th Annual Festive Bottle Exchange. This dynamic gathering will be generously hosted at Napa Valley’s iconic Frank Family Vineyards by long-time WWS Roundtable Planning Committee member, Winemaker Alicia Sylvester. Frank Family Vineyards is located at 1091 Larkmead Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515.
ABOUT THE EVENT: Early arrivals will meet at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy time for mingling and reconnecting after a busy harvest.
At 3:30 p.m. Alicia Sylvester will lead a behind-the-scenes production tour for the professional winemakers and viticulture guests that will be focused on the most technical aspects of making Frank Family Vineyard’s portfolio of wines.
At 4:00 p.m. the group will enjoy more wine tasting, discussion and a tiered gift exchange of special bottles from each of the attendees’ collections. The bottle exchange is grouped in progressive retail price tiers, starting at $25, topping out at $100+, so attendees can exchange similar wines.
Attendees are encouraged to bring both a bottle of their wine to share in the festive bottle exchange and a second bottle as thanks to the Roundtable hosts. Carpools are available.
RSVP DETAILS: Please, no walk-ins. The free roundtable meeting is open to WWS Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable members and interested women winemakers and viticulturists that have emailed and received RSVP guest confirmations through the Roundtable Chair.
WWS kindly requests attendees bring a bottle of wine as thanks for our generous hosts and for their support of this non-profit organization. This supports events in leading host venues and experts to remain free for members and provides minimal visitor fees.
To RSVP, or for any questions on this event or future WWS Roundtable events, please contact the Roundtable Chair: Julie@Lumgair.com.
ABOUT THE WINERY: Frank Family Vineyards has been a part of Napa Valley’s landscape for three decades. Founded by former Disney Studios President Rich Frank, along with his wife, Leslie, an Emmy Award-winning former broadcast news journalist, the winery is dedicated to crafting exceptional wines with balance and memorable guest experiences. Frank Family Vineyards became part of the Treasury Wine Estates family of wines in 2021. Consistently recognized as having one of the best tasting rooms in Napa Valley, Frank Family is considered one of today’s most successful California wineries. The winery proudly stewards 380 acres of sustainably farmed, coveted vineyards spanning five estate properties, including the iconic Winston Hill Vineyard in Rutherford. While best known for its classic renditions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the world-class portfolio also includes méthode champenoise sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and more.
For more information about Frank Family Vineyards, please visit www.frankfamilyvineyards.com
ABOUT THE HOST: Alicia Sylvester was welcomed as Winemaker at Frank Family Vineyards in August 2024. Prior to FFV, Alicia spent nearly 10 years at Foley Family Wines. She was an Assistant Winemaker at Lancaster Estate in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, then Head Winemaker at Merus Wines based in St. Helena, Napa Valley. Both of these roles honed her skills and knowledge of working with Cabernet Sauvignon while simultaneously earning her wine certificate from University of California, Davis. Most recently, she was Head Winemaker at Banshee Wines in Sonoma, where she worked with site-specific cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Alicia earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business with a minor in wine and viticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Upon graduation, she worked harvests internationally, gaining invaluable knowledge from her experience in regions such as Australia, Italy, South Africa and Argentina. In 2013, she returned to the U.S. and eagerly jumped into harvest at Chateau Montelena, where she proudly became the first woman to receive the “golden shovel” award since 1975, shoveling a total of 165 tons of grape must throughout harvest. She has been an active member of Women For WineSense and on the planning committee for the Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable since 2016.
ABOUT THE WWS WINEMAKING & VITICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE: The W&V Roundtable meets approximately six times a year, taking a harvest break. Current members of the WWS Napa / Sonoma W&V Roundtable work in the North Bay, Paso Robles, Santa Cruz, Central Coast and Washington, meeting both in person and though hybrid onsite / online formats.
Jennifer HIggins, GM / Winemaker at Lambert Bridge and WWS Roundtable Planning Committee member since 2016 noted “Our past meeting topics have focused upon the C-suite professional skills and insights women winemakers and viticultural professionals need but aren’t always easy to get in their daily work environment.”
She further explained that, “Held for over 30 years at some of Napa and Sonoma’s finest host wineries, and since 2020, expanded to both online and in person formats, our Roundtable programs have been a fantastic opportunity for over 100 member women winemakers and viticulturists to connect directly in a friendly professional forum, with experts that they otherwise wouldn’t get to meet for personal advice and questions. Some of our recent speakers have included top wine publication critics and senior editors, iconic winemakers, leading academics, global sensory consultants, sommeliers, media trainers, professional coaching experts, CFO’s and GM’s in panel discussions and key recruiters.”
Professionally qualified winemaker and viticulture guests may attend up to two Roundtables before deciding to join. It is a great way to expand skills while reconnecting and meeting new industry professionals.
To join or learn more, please visit www.womenforwinesense.org.
ABOUT ADDITIONAL WWS ROUNDTABLES: WWS’ current professional roundtables serve to provide a welcoming and confidential environment to meet in small peer groups on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Members network, provide advice and support for one another, as well as foster educational occasions by inviting guest speakers in their fields and discussing ‘hot issues’ facing members in their day-to-day work. Multiple Roundtables have developed for WWS industry members in finance, accounting, HR, winemaking/viticulture and more.
To join or learn more about WWS’ roundtables, please visit www.womenforwinesense.org. For inquiries about other WWS roundtables for additional functions besides winemaking and viticulture, contact the Napa| Sonoma Chapter’s President, Julie Lumgair, Julie@Lumgair.com.
ABOUT WOMEN FOR WINESENSE: WWS is a national not-for-profit organization 501(c)6. The Napa|Sonoma Chapter founded in 1990 is the founding chapter of this national organization which provides outstanding educational and networking opportunities to both wine industry professionals and wine enthusiasts by presenting educational, insightful and stimulating events in a welcoming, fun environment. Women and men 21 years old or more are welcome to join. Information on the national and 10 regional chapters is at www.womenforwinesense.org.
