Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

Antonio Galloni is the founder and CEO of Vinous, one of the world's most influential wine publications, for which he is also the lead critic covering the wines of Bordeaux, California, Italy and Champagne. Since founding Vinous in 2013, Galloni led Vinous' acquisitions of Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar and Delectable, which made the company unique in the wine industry in its ability to offer both professional reviews from the world's top critics and the perspectives from hundreds of thousands of wine consumers. Galloni also leads Vinous' pioneering efforts to map the vineyards of California with renowned cartographer Alessandro Masnaghetti. Prior to Vinous, Antonio was the lead critic of Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, which he joined having established himself as an influential wine writer through Piedmont Report, the first in-depth, English language journal solely focused on Italian wine. Galloni has an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and is a Berklee trained musician. When not tasting wines or leading his business, Galloni can be found shredding a guitar or keeping fit.

Annie Favia

Owner and Viticulturalist, Favia

Annie’s early exposure to an agrarian lifestyle shaped her love of agriculture & nature. Her mother, an avid gardener and father, a sausage and winemaking-“garagiste” set a precedent of a household of nature for their six children.

Studying abroad in France during college reinforced her passion for wine. Following graduation, she began her wine career at Newton Vineyards under the tutelage of John Kongsgaard. A master at his craft, John taught the intricacies of winemaking, the symbiotic relationship between art and science. It was also John who introduced Annie to Cabernet Franc – a love for which continues to this day. She went on to work with Cathy Corison, a model of willpower and ingenuity, who set a precedent for women in the wine industry. It was during her time with Cathy that Annie truly found her place, in the vineyard.

Having returned to school for a post-baccalaureate in Viticulture, Annie then began working as viticulturist for David Abreu Vineyard Management. Over her tenure for the next ten plus years, she worked to direct vineyard establishment and development for several of Napa Valley’s most highly regarded vineyards sites. In 2009, she turned her full focus toward Favia Wines and the subsequent restoration of the winery.

At the forefront of all vineyard decisions is her philosophy that balance falls within the order of nature. Working carefully with each chosen vineyard site is an exercise in learning how to achieve a natural, balanced, and unique expression of the fruit. Though always paying strict attention to detail, ultimately Mother Nature reigns supreme. As first experienced in her formative years, Annie continues to find her deepest sense of self while elbow deep in dirt, whether growing winegrapes, vegetables or herbal teas for ERDA.

Paul Hobbs

Founder and Winemaker, Paul Hobbs

Paul earned his BS in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame in 1975, and MS in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he became a member of the enology team at Robert Mondavi Winery, and one year later, at the behest of Mr. Mondavi, Paul was invited to be a member of the inaugural team of Opus One.

A first trip to Argentina in March 1988 marked the beginning of a South American winemaking career that carries on today with Viña Cobos in Argentina, and his status as the pioneer who played an instrumental role in launching malbec’s rise to fame.

Today Paul is owner/winemaker for Sebastopol, California based wineries, Paul Hobbs Winery and Crossbarn Winery, as well as his international partnerships, Viña Cobos, Mendoza (1999); Crocus, Cahors (2011); and Yacoubian-Hobbs, Armenia (2014). His two latest efforts, soon to be released, are Alvaredos-Hobbs, Galicia (2018) and Hillick & Hobbs, Finger Lakes (2019).

Regarded as an international visionary for his accomplishments in the vineyard and winery, Paul Hobbs combines his childhood roots on the family farm in Upstate New York with an innovative scientific approach to refine the art of winemaking. He is recognized across the globe for breaking with tradition and forging new paths in the pursuit of excellence; both in stewardship of the land, and the crafting of wines that represent the purist concept of place – leading the way in the early 90’s as a pioneer of site specific, vineyard designate wines. His passion for viticulture, winemaking, and innovation has been widely recognized by the wine media, as well as by the consumer.

Michael Silacci

Winemaker, Opus One

Michael Silacci assumed full responsibility for all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking at Opus One in May 2003. He has been at Opus One since March of 2001, first serving as Director of Viticulture and Enology.

Prior to his current appointment, Michael spent six years as winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, one year as winemaker at King Estate in Oregon, and six years at Beaulieu Vineyard as enologist and viticulturist. He has also made wine in France and Chile. He holds a master’s degree in viticulture from U.C. Davis in addition to under-graduate degrees in enology and viticulture from U.C. Davis and the Université de Bordeaux.

Embracing a holistic vision of winegrowing as the ultimate expression of terroir, Michael ensures that the connection between viticulture and winemaking at Opus One is seamless, reflecting the philosophy of founders Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi.

Opus One produces ultra-premium wines at its Napa Valley winery in Oakville, California. The 2017 vintage was released on October 1st,2020, and is distributed in all 50 U.S. States and 90 countries worldwide.

Stephanie Putnam

Director of Winemaking, Raymond Vineyards

Stephanie Putnam is the Director of Winemaking at Raymond Vineyards, where she oversees all aspects of winemaking for this iconic Napa Valley winery. Her winemaking style and philosophy centers around creating balanced wines that are the truest expression of Napa Valley and its extraordinary terroir. Wines that exemplify harmony and balance are what she enjoys personally and this also influences the style of wine she creates.

Before joining the Boisset Collection team, Stephanie spent eight years as winemaker at Far Niente Winery, where she contemporized their house style and earned The Wine News’ accolade for Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year in 2008 for 2005. Prior to that, she was part of the team at Hess Collection, where she began as a cellar worker and rapidly progressed to winemaker. While there she also worked with the winery’s South American partners.

Throughout her tenure at these highly esteemed Napa Valley estates, Stephanie has focused on producing high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Her wines have won acclaim, including recognition in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100, Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2013 for the 95-point rated 2009 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon. Under Stephanie’s direction, the Raymond portfolio has consistently achieved 90+ ratings and reviews from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, as well as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits and more, including various national and international wine competitions. Raymond Vineyards was named the 2012 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and received that publication’s first-ever Wine Star Award for Wine and Culture in 2016 for the creation of the LVE: Legend Vineyard Exclusive wines with John Legend, which contributed to bringing together music, culture and the arts to the world of wine.

A Northern California native and graduate of U.C. Davis with a B.S. in Fermentation Science, Stephanie developed her passion for winemaking at an early age thanks to her family’s appreciation of gourmet food and wine. She fondly remembers many childhood trips to the Napa Valley, where her parents would visit to enjoy and collect wine.

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