The family winery’s growing team coincides with its first 100-point score and the opening of its sumptuous downtown Napa tasting salon
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (October 7, 2024) — Simon Family Estate, a family-owned winery producing elegant, limited production wines from some of the most prestigious vineyard sites in Napa Valley, today announced a new addition to its team with the appointment of Vanessa Conlin, MW as Director of Growth and Partnerships. Known for its elevated Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, Simon Family Estate’s latest hire reflects the boutique winery’s recent string of achievements and subsequent demand for its wines.
Founded by vintners Sam and Nada Simon, the news coincides with the opening of the winery’s tasting salon in downtown Napa for current and future collectors of its wines. Conlin joins Simon Family Estate on the heels of the label’s first 100-point score, for its 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vanessa to the team,” said Simon Family Estate founder, Sam Simon. “As a Master of Wine, her impressive professional background and serious wine expertise make her especially equipped to help us meet the current demand for Simon Family Estate while growing the label into its next chapter as an internationally recognized Napa Valley benchmark. We can’t imagine a better advocate for our wines.”
Conlin is one of fewer than sixty Masters of Wine in the United States. She began her wine career in New York City as a wine buyer for two retailers and as the Wine Director for a Manhattan wine bar. Drawn to the vineyards, she relocated to Napa Valley in 2010, where she held roles as Director of Sales and Marketing for several luxury wineries, including Arietta Wines and Dana Estates.
She joined Wine Access, a national online wine provider, in 2017 and served as Chief Wine Officer for six years. Vanessa began working with Sotheby’s in 2023 as the Global Head of Wine Retail before transitioning into a consulting role. She also joined a major wine publication in 2024 as the Italian wine reviewer.
Conlin joins Simon Family Estate during an exciting season for the winery, including the recent opening of its new tasting salon in the heart of downtown Napa. The space was once part of the Napa Opera House, which is befitting for Conlin, who – prior to discovering her love of wine – worked as a professional opera singer, performing internationally and on Broadway. She holds a master’s degree in music.
“I am so thrilled to work with Simon Family Estate and other entities within the Simon Family holdings as Director of Growth and Partnerships,” said Conlin. “I’ve shared a long-standing friendship and working relationship with winemaker Maayan Koschitzky, whom I consider one of the greatest winemakers in Napa Valley and beyond.”
An avid supporter of charitable causes, Vanessa serves on the Board of Directors for Jameson Humane, a Napa Valley-based animal non-profit, and has chaired the organization’s annual charity wine auction ten times. She also hosted Auction Napa Valley in 2024, which benefitted youth mental health initiatives in Napa Valley.
Simon Family Estate debuted with the 2019 vintage to instant critical acclaim, thanks to the quality of Simon Family Estate’s storied vineyard sources and the talents of superstar winemaker, Maayan Koschitzky. Just two vintages later, Decanter Magazine awarded a perfect score to its flagship wine in September 2024, writing, “How do you craft an Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon that competes with Harlan, Futo, Opus One, and Dalla Valle? This is winemaker Maayan Koschitzky’s answer to that question…A complete wine that is seamless.”
About Simon Family Estate
Simon Family Estate is connected to the land, their craft, and one another. Introduced in late 2021, the label is a creative collaboration between vintners Sam and Nada Simon and renowned Napa Valley winemaker, Maayan Koschitzky. Made with grapes sourced from some of the Napa Valley’s most pedigreed vineyard plots, each meticulously crafted wine is designed with community in mind: At its core, Simon Family Estate believes that bringing people together over a fine bottle of wine is one of life’s most necessary luxuries. As pleasurable as it is transformative, great wine can sustain family and friends while forging deeper relationships and lasting joy.
