July 28, 2025 (Napa, CA) — With wineries facing economic pressures, shifting consumer preferences, labor shortages, and climate-related hurdles, strong, values-driven leadership has never been more essential. In response, the Napa-Sonoma Chapter of Women for WineSense is convening three of the region’s most respected leaders for an afternoon of actionable insight, honest dialogue, and industry connection.
Open to all members of the wine industry, the “Winery Presidents Panel: Insight, Action, Inspiration, Connection” will be Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 3:30–6:00 p.m..
This event will be generously hosted by proprietor, Anisya Fritz at Lynmar Estate Winery in Sebastopol, a renowned 100 acre jewel of the Russian River Valley encompassing vineyards, gardens and a nature preserve.
About the Event:
At 3:30 p.m. the onsite event begins with a networking reception enjoying hospitality and an assortment of luxury small-lot Lynmar Estate wines. At 4:00 p.m., the panel features:
- Remi Cohen, CEO, Domaine Carneros
- Alison Crowe, Vice President of Winemaking, Founder & Partner, Plata Wine Partners
- Anisya Fritz, Proprietor, Lynmar Estate
In a guided discussion, the panelists will share their approaches to leadership amid uncertainty—from fostering agile, empowered teams to navigating customer evolution, building resilient operations, and integrating sustainability into core business practices. Attendees will gain practical takeaways and candid perspectives from decades of experience at the helm of prominent wine brands.
“Winemaking begins with people—always has, always will,” says Alison Crowe of Plata Wine Partners. “In today’s climate, where agility and authenticity matter more than ever, our greatest asset is the strength, creativity, and resilience of our teams. I’m excited to discuss how we can lead with purpose, trust, and connection in a time that demands all three.”
Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros, adds: “Our discussion will explore the people, processes, and culture that truly make this industry extraordinary. I’m looking forward to sharing lessons from my journey—and learning from others—about crafting authentic brands, building thriving teams, and elevating sustainability across winemaking and winegrowing.”
Anisya Fritz, proprietor of Lynmar Estate, reflects: “As we face changes in customer preferences and economic pressures, finding ways to build on our core values and innovate will be critical. I’m thrilled to be part of this conversation, sharing best practices, life lessons, and even the occasional mistake that shaped my leadership journey.”
Tickets are now available. Members of Women for WineSense can attend for free, guests are $30. All wine industry professionals, women and men, are warmly welcome. Please, no walk ins. Attendees to this non-profit event are asked to bring a bottle of wine as a thank you to our host and speakers.
For tickets and event details, to check membership status or become a WWS member, please visit our website here.
About the Panelists
Alison Crowe is Vice President of Winemaking at Plata Wine Partners, where she oversees the production of over 500,000 cases annually across eight wineries, crafting award-winning wines from premier AVAs. With expertise in brand development, operations, and wine style strategy, she leads the creation of both boutique and national brands, including Buttercream Chardonnay, Verada Pinot Noir, and Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. All wines under her direction are vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and sourced from 100% Sustainably Certified vineyards. Alison also serves on the Board of the Carneros Wine Alliance, teaches at UC Davis Extension, and is a regular speaker and moderator at industry events.
Remi Cohen is the CEO of Domaine Carneros, bringing over 20 years of wine industry experience spanning winemaking, viticulture, and executive leadership. She holds an MBA in finance and a master’s in viticulture from UC Davis, and began her career in the Carneros AVA with roles at Saintsbury, Bouchaine, and Merryvale. Before joining Domaine Carneros in 2020, she served as COO of Cliff Lede Vineyards. Remi continues the winery’s legacy of visionary female leadership with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
Anisya Fritz is the proprietor of Lynmar Estate, where she has shaped the winery’s acclaimed hospitality and direct-to-consumer experience since 2008, following a global career as an academic and CEO in the humanitarian relief sector. Drawing on her strategic vision and passion for place, she has led the transformation of Lynmar’s guest experience—expanding the estate gardens, remodeling the tasting room, launching a private events program, and developing a multi-sensory wine and food pairing series. In addition to her leadership at Lynmar, Anisya teaches wine business at Sonoma State University and continues to consult and lecture internationally on humanitarian logistics. Now fully rooted at Quail Hill, she blends global perspective with local purpose to foster a thriving community of wine lovers.
Other Upcoming Events
- August 7: Napa | Sonoma: “Winery Presidents Panel – Leading with Insight, Action, Inspiration & Connection“
- August 20: Finance Roundtable (open to all): Guest speaker Tony Correia
- November 8: Napa Sonoma: Save the Date! “35th Anniversary Post Harvest Celebration“
- December 10: N-S All Chapter: Holiday Celebration
About Women for WineSense
Women for WineSense is a national 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 with 12 vibrant chapters across the U.S. It is a community of wine professionals and enthusiasts, welcoming everyone, committed to professional growth and fostering the knowledge and appreciation of wine and its cultural and historical significance.
WWS provides wine professionals and enthusiasts alike with opportunities to grow through events, roundtables, scholarships, and mentorship for all interested in learning and fostering relationships at various levels with the promotion of the mindful enjoyment of wine at our core.
Our members are women and men who are winery owners, wine enthusiasts, winemakers, wine marketers, sommeliers, distributors, wholesalers and importers, credentialed consumers, and people who just love wine…and more.
For more information, and to become a member, visit womenforwinesense.org
About Lynmar Estate
Located in the heart of Russian River Valley, Lynmar Estate is a preeminent producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Resident proprietors Lynn and Anisya Fritz are intimately woven into daily operations, sharing overarching values of sustainability, world-class winemaking, locally sourced food, and community. Always more than the sum of its parts, Lynmar Estate is comprised of four touchstone vineyard parcels in Russian River Valley, beginning with Quail Hill Vineyard established by the family in 1980. For more information, please visit lynmarestate.com or connect via social media @lynmarestate.
