August 11, 2026 (Windsor, CA) — CIRQ | CHEV Estate, by Sarah and Michael Browne, is proud to announce the appointment of Dana Macaulay, CSEP, as Director of Brand Experiences and Communications.
Macaulay brings 20 years of experience in strategic events, experiential marketing, consumer engagement and partnerships to her new role. For the past 13 years, she served as Managing Director of Auctions & Experiential Marketing at Sonoma County Vintners, where she launched the inaugural Sonoma County Barrel Auction in 2015 and directed the Sonoma County Wine Celebration, which has raised over $42 million since 2013 in support of more than 430 nonprofit organizations across the region. She also produced one of Sonoma County’s largest and most popular consumer wine events, Taste of Sonoma, and led national and regional marketing programs to build trade, media, and consumer awareness for Sonoma County wines. Earlier in her career, she designed and launched the events program at Seghesio Family Vineyards in Healdsburg.
A Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), Macaulay is a Past International President of the Board of Governors of the International Live Events Association (ILEA), where she has served in leadership roles since 2005.
In her new role, Macaulay will report to General Manager Mike Haney and support Sarah and Michael Browne in overseeing all aspects of the winery’s consumer and guest experience — including visitation and tours, estate stays, tasting room operations, and membership and customer communications — working to create memorable consumer experiences that reflect the CIRQ | CHEV brand.
“For years, Dana has been one of the most respected relationship-builders in Sonoma County’s wine community — from her work raising millions for local nonprofits to the countless guest and donor connections she’s cultivated along the way,” says Sarah Browne, co-founder. “That same warmth and dedication is exactly what we want every person to feel when they visit CIRQ | CHEV.”
“After years of working across the broader Sonoma County wine community, I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring that experience to a small, family-run estate like CIRQ | CHEV. There’s something special about the intimacy of this business,” says Dana Macaulay. ” I’m looking forward to building real, lasting connections with our guests and members and helping bring Sarah and Michael’s customer engagement vision to life.”
The private estate winery, located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, is a hilltop gem. Tours and tastings are accessible by private appointment and availability. Surrounded by spectacular 360-degree views, the property is the perfect fit for CHEV and CIRQ and is their forever home.
About CHEV
CHEV is sparked by Michael’s love and appreciation for old-school craftsmanship. From classic cars to vintage clocks, CHEV pays tribute to bygone days when artisans crafted in their forge and the raw material was hand-wrought to expert precision. Just like our grapes—exquisitely grown by master farmers, curated from renowned sites, and refined to delicious detail in our family shop. Crafted in its own style, CHEV is unbounded by region, born from exceptional vineyards, near and far. To learn more, please visit: www.chevwines.com
About CIRQ
CIRQ launched in 2009, with Michael’s passion for making delicious wines from the Russian River Valley’s most exceptional sites. Inspired by his childhood circus-performing days, our winery ringmaster brings the same intense study, balance, and finesse to CIRQ — superbly blending the highest quality fruit from the Valley’s prime vineyards. The result is the best Pinot Noir possible through his lens, where uncommon breeding meets unprecedented flavors for the ultimate expression of this magical region. To learn more, please visit: www.cirq.com
