June 10, 2026 (Napa/Sonoma, CA) — On Wednesday, June 10, from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. PST, the Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable of the Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense (WWS) will host, “Crafting the Sparkle: A Technical Panel on the Art & Science of Sparkling Winemaking.” The event opens with a networking reception at Schramsberg Vineyards followed by an engaging technical sparkling winemaking discussion with expert panelists Jessica Koga (Schramsberg Vineyards), Quynh-Lan Truong (Rack & Riddle), and Michaella Goldner (Domaine Carneros). The discussion will be moderated by Penelope Gadd-Coster (Breathless Wines).
Celebrate the brilliance and leadership of women in sparkling wine with this engaging panel discussion led by trailblazing winemakers. Bringing together experts from across the industry, this conversation will explore the technical precision, creativity, and innovation behind crafting exceptional sparkling wines. Panelists will share insights into méthode traditionnelle, tank fermentation, and emerging techniques, while also reflecting on their journeys and perspectives in a field where women continue to make powerful strides. Blending science, artistry, and lived experience, this discussion offers both inspiration and deep technical knowledge for anyone passionate about sparkling winemaking.
This Roundtable is generously hosted at Napa Valley’s acclaimed Schramsberg Vineyards by Winemaker and long-time WWS member, Jessica Koga. For 60 years, Schramsberg Vineyards has been committed to crafting extraordinary sparkling wines. Living and working on the Napa Valley Diamond Mountain property, the Davies family and Schramsberg team have focused on creating wines that reflect the passion and experience of the people behind each bottle. Schramsberg Vineyards is located at 1400 Schramsberg Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515.
ABOUT THE EVENT
The onsite event welcomes both WWS Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable members and their professional guests that have received pre-approvals. The panel discussion will not be recorded to ensure private discussion. At 3:00 p.m. the event begins with a networking reception with winemaking and viticulture professional peers enjoying hospitality and Schramsberg bubbles, followed by a 3:30 p.m. vineyard walk & winery history overview. At 4:00 p.m., the program begins. A lively question and answer session follows.
- Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
- Time: 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. PST
- Location: Schramsberg Vineyards, 1400 Schramsberg Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515
- Please pre-register no later than 2 pm., June 9th at this link: Napa-Sonoma W&V Pro Roundtable at Schramsberg: “Crafting the Sparkle: A Technical Panel on the Art & Science of Sparkling Winemaking”
WHO CAN ATTEND: Kindly, no walk-ins. The free roundtable is open to active professional WWS Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable members. Roundtable members and their pre-approved qualified guests are welcome to attend, including viticulturists, vineyard managers, grower relations, winemakers, lab, cellar, vineyard and production professionals, owners and general managers.
Interested guest winemakers and viticulturists that have emailed and received confirmations through the Chair are warmly welcomed to attend one Roundtable for free before joining WWS if space is available.
To add qualified Roundtable guests or for other questions on this event or future WWS events, please contact the Roundtable Chair, Alicia Sylvester at aliciasylvester15@gmail.com.
REGISTRATION:
- Free for WWS W&V Roundtable professional members
- Free for first-time qualified professional viticulture and winemaking guests
- $20 for returning non-member W&V professional guests
- All attendees are asked to bring a bottle of wine to share as a thank you to our speakers and hosts.
For RSVP assistance, membership status inquiries, or to join or renew, contact Nicole Economou at (831) 332-1727.
ABOUT THE WWS WINEMAKING & VITICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
The 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 through hybrid onsite / online formats.
Ana Diogo-Draper, long time WWS member of the Winemaking & Viticulture Planning Committee 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 35 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.”
ABOUT ADDITIONAL WWS ROUNDTABLES
Multiple Roundtables have developed for WWS industry members in finance, accounting, HR, winemaking / viticulture, and owners / GMs. Each provides 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. To join or learn more about WWS’ roundtables, contact Napa| Sonoma Chapter’s Roundtable leaders listed at www.womenforwinesense.org.
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 with 13 chapters 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. For questions about the national organization, contact Napa | Sonoma Chapter President, Julie Lumgair at Julie.Lumgair@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
It only took one internship at Schramsberg Vineyards for Jessica Koga to confirm that the wine industry is where she wanted to be. She completed her degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis before returning for a second internship at Schramsberg Vineyards which then led to a full-time Enologist position. Three years later, she gave into a bit of wanderlust and went to work harvests in the Marlborough region of New Zealand and the North Fork of Long Island in New York. After that, she held positions at Gundlach-Bundschu Winery in Sonoma and Vineyard 29 in St. Helena. In 2015 Jessica rejoined Schramsberg’s team as Associate Winemaker for Davies Vineyards, their sister winery specialized in producing site-specific expressions of Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since 2021, Jessica has been tasked with continuing the legacy of crafting extraordinary sparkling wines from vineyards throughout the North Coast of California as the Winemaker for Schramsberg Vineyards. In addition to her work at the winery, Jessica sits on the Board of Directors for Bâtonnage Forum as well as helping to lead their mentorship program for women in the wine industry. In those rare moments of free time, Jessica can be found exploring the best restaurants in the valley, listening to live music, or reading one of the many novels she hasn’t gotten around to yet.
Quynh-Lan was born in France and studied Winemaking and Food Sciences in Dijon (Burgundy) where she received her Masters degree. After graduating, she started with Moet et Chandon in Champagne, in their Research and Development team.
Quynh-Lan did Southern Hemisphere harvest in New Zealand; she returned to France and was hired by Chandon for their 3-year Early Career Winemaking Program. The first year was spent in the Yarra Valley (Australia) with Chandon Australia, her second year was in Yountville with Chandon California and her third year was in Mendoza (Argentina) with Bodegas Chandon. This was a great opportunity to learn about sparkling wine worldwide.
She then returned to Chandon California as Assistant Winemaker then Associate Winemaker for almost 5 years. Quyhn-Lan is now Production Winemaker at Rack & Riddle where her main responsibilities are to oversee the riddling and disgorging processes for R&R and client wines.
In 2024 Michaella Goldner joined Domaine Carneros as Associate Winemaker, bringing with her fifteen years of winemaking experience, technical expertise, sensory acumen and success in crafting world renowned benchmark wines. Goldner works closely with the DC team to create méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines and Pinot Noir of the highest quality that are the purest expression of the unique terroir of the Carneros region.
Prior to joining Domaine Carneros, Michaella served as Associate Winemaker at Seghesio Family Vineyards where she worked closely with the team and wine consultants Phil Freeze and Alberto Antonini to hone her skills with a focus on creating wines of vibrancy, structure, concentration and elegance. Michaella grew up with an interest in science and love of nature. Her curiosity led her to UC Santa Barbara where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aquatic Biology and following her graduation, was recruited by a Wall Street firm to provide scientific and trading insights. After over ten years spent in San Francisco and New York City’s vibrant food and wine cultures, she found her true calling during her inaugural vintage at Andersen Valley’s Roederer Estate.
She went on to pursue a Winemaking Certification from UC Davis and dedicated herself to study, while simultaneously working back-to-back harvests in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. These formative years saw her apprenticing in laboratory and cellar roles in storied California wineries Robert Mondavi and Miner Family Wines, as well as New Zealand’s largest custom crush facility.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR:
Penelope (Penny) Coral Gadd-Coster’s interest in wine began when her family moved to the Livermore Valley in central California. In 1986 she was hired to help with the crush at Jordan Vineyards & Winery, which led to a 13-year career at Jordan. In 1999 she was hired as the assistant winemaker for J, eventually working her way up to the position of winemaker for sparkling wines. In 2007, Penny left J to work as a winemaker for Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services and has been the winemaker at Forenzo Vineyards since its inception in 2009, where she is producing Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir. She is also the winemaker at Breathless, where she crafts sparkling wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit using traditional French methods.
In the fall of 2005, Penny and her husband Frank started Coral Mustang™, where Penny crafts Tempranillo wines. Her philosophy of winemaking stems from experiences working with and being mentored by some of the most highly regarded winemakers in Sonoma County, including the late André Tchelistcheff. Penny was the first winemaker to be named “Winemaker of the Year” for the Napa and Sonoma wine regions in the inaugural Wine Industry Awards in 2013.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Schramsberg’s founders, Jack and Jamie Davies were determined to seek out a simpler, more meaningful life. In 1965, after a yearlong search, they discovered a run-down winery on the mountainside above St. Helena. The 19th century Victorian mansion presided over the tangled remains of once stately gardens and underground cellars. The historic Schramsberg property had been abandoned for years, but the Davies were looking for a challenge. On that day they decided Schramsberg would be brought back to life. The Davies had an ambition to make wine, but not just any wine. They were setting out to produce a world-class sparkling wine, and it was a lofty goal. Later that year, the 1965 Blanc de Blancs came to be, and would be the first commercial use of Chardonnay in American sparkling wine.
