New Officers and Board Directors Named as California Wine Enters a Pivotal Year
June 16, 2026 (Sacramento, CA) — Gretchen Roddick, executive vice president of Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, was elected Wine Institute board chair for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the organization’s Annual Membership and Board of Directors Meeting in Napa, June 7-9, 2026.
Roddick assumes the role at an important time of transition for both Wine Institute and the broader California wine community. As wineries face significant market pressures, shifting consumer behavior, international trade challenges and an increasingly complex policy environment, Wine Institute is sharpening its focus on advocacy, member engagement and a stronger, more unified narrative for California wine.
Other officers elected were Ben Dollard of Treasury Wine Estates, first vice chair; Ed Matovcik of Constellation Brands, second vice chair; Christine Wente of Wente Vineyards, treasurer; and Jennifer Evans of The Wine Group, secretary. Steve J. Gross is president and CEO of Wine Institute.
Robin Baggett, managing partner of Alpha Omega Winery in St. Helena and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, is the outgoing chair and becomes an ex-officio board member.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Wine Institute chair and grateful for the leaders who have helped build, guide and strengthen this organization over many decades,” said Roddick. “This is a challenging moment for wine, but it is also a moment that calls for clarity, optimism and action. Wine Institute has an extraordinary role to play in bringing our industry together, strengthening our voice and helping shape what comes next for California wine.”
Roddick said a key focus of her chairmanship will be increasing member engagement, supporting member recruitment and helping modernize Wine Institute governance so the organization can remain nimble and effective in a rapidly changing environment.
“The year ahead will require engagement from our members at every level,” Roddick said. “We want more wineries at the table, more voices in the conversation and more opportunities for members to help shape the future of this organization. When members engage, they strengthen not only Wine Institute but the entire California wine community.”
Roddick brings deep operational experience, regional leadership and a long-standing commitment to California wine to the role. She joined Hope Family Wines in 1997 and today oversees company operations, including production, winemaking, finance, hospitality, sales and marketing. Over nearly three decades, she has worked side by side with owner-winemaker Austin Hope as the company grew from 1,000 cases annually to nearly 1 million cases, becoming one of Paso Robles’ most-recognized success stories. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Roddick majored in fruit science with a minor in agricultural business before beginning her wine career on the Central Coast.
“We are fortunate to have Gretchen stepping into this role at such an important time,” said Steve Gross, president and CEO of Wine Institute. “She brings energy, optimism and a clear understanding of the challenges facing our industry. Her focus on engagement, governance and member connection aligns directly with the work Wine Institute is doing to strengthen the organization and support California wineries through a period of significant change.”
Wine Institute’s membership also elected new district and at-large directors and their alternates.
2026-2027 At-Large Directors
| AT-LARGE DIRECTOR | ALTERNATE |
|---|---|
| Ryan Bogle, Bogle Family Wine Collection | Warren Bogle, Bogle Family Wine Collection |
| Caroline Coleman Bailey, GALLO | Maribel Delgado, GALLO |
| Adam Copley, The Duckhorn Portfolio | Catherine Sullivan Kelly, The Duckhorn Portfolio |
| Ben Dollard, Treasury Wine Estates | Ben Duemler, Treasury Wine Estates |
| Debra Dommen, Treasury Wine Estates | Jane Froyd, Treasury Wine Estates |
| Mike Donich, The Wine Group | Jeannie Bremer, The Wine Group |
| Dom Engles, Bronco Wine Company | Debbie Juergenson, Bronco Wine Company |
| Jennifer Evans, The Wine Group | Keith Bauman, The Wine Group |
| Stephanie Gallo, GALLO | |
| Emmanuel Garibay, Bonterra Organic Estates | Courtney Taylor, Bonterra Organic Estates |
| Robert Hanson, The Duckhorn Portfolio | |
| Cheryl Indelicato, Delicato Family Wines | Mark Merrion, Delicato Family Wines |
| Peter Larson, Trinchero Family Estates | Mario Trinchero, Trinchero Family Estates |
| Matt Locklin, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery | Molly Scott, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery |
| Lawrence T. Lohr, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines | Jeff Humphreys, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines |
| Ed Matovcik, Constellation Brands | Tiffanie De Liberty, Constellation Brands |
| Gretchen McDade, Constellation Brands | Sam Glaetzer, Constellation Brands |
| Robert Torkelson, Trinchero Family Estates | Anthony Torres, Trinchero Family Estates |
| Matthew Towers, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers | Breck O’Neill, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers |
| Jolene Yee, Delicato Family Wines | Ken Minami, Delicato Family Wines |
2026-2027 District Directors
| District | Director | Alternate |
|---|---|---|
| Northern: | Kaj Ahlmann, Six Sigma Winery | |
| Sonoma: | Julie Pedroncelli St. John, Pedroncelli Winery | |
| Katie Wetzel Murphy, Alexander Valley Vineyards | ||
| Alan Ramey, Ramey Wine Cellars | ||
| Tobin Ginter, Rodney Strong Vineyards | ||
| Napa: | Emma Swain, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | Hugh Davies, Schramsberg Vineyards |
| Mike Reynolds, HALL Wines | Kellie Duckhorn, Baldacci Family Vineyards | |
| Karen Fontanella, Fontanella Family Winery | Anthony Truchard, Truchard Vineyards | |
| Darioush Khaledi, Darioush | Pam Starr, Crocker & Starr | |
| Alan Viader, VIADER Vineyards and Winery | Christina Turley, Turley Wine Cellars | |
| San Francisco Bay: | Christine Wente, Wente Family Vineyards | William Cooper, Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards |
| Monterey Bay: | Scott Scheid, Scheid Vineyards | |
| Central Coast: | Gretchen Roddick, Hope Family Wines | |
| Justin Perino, Castoro Cellars | ||
| Maeve Pesquera, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers | ||
| Barry White, Ancient Peaks Winery | ||
| Southern: | Stephen Kahle, Woof’n Rose Winery | Linda McWilliams, San Pasqual Winery |
| Sierra: | Joan Kautz, Ironstone Vineyards | |
| Northern Interior: | Marissa Lange, LangeTwins Family Vineyards and Winery | |
| Southern Interior: | Kyle Ray, ASV Wines |
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. Its California Wine Export Program extends that mission globally, driving international market development on behalf of participating members.
