Sara D'Amato

Writer, Critic, Educator, Sommelier

Sara is a Toronto-based wine consultant, educator, sommelier, wine critic and principal partner with WineAlign.com, Canada’s leading online wine publication. She has worked in cellars both in Niagara and in Bordeaux, France. Sara formerly held the title of Sommelier of Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto and at the Platinum Club of the Air Canada Centre. Sara writes freelance for a number of publications and travels extensively reporting on classic and emerging wine regions. A graduate of the University of Toronto and Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture technician program, she continues to participate in judging wine competitions across the country and internationally. Sara is the outgoing President of the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers and is an instructor of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust program in Toronto with Fine Vintage Ltd. With a global perspective, Sara’s paramount focus is on southern French wine regions and she is an accredited Rhône Valley Vineyards Educator. Currently Sara is reaching consumers and trade through new mediums such as webinars and her Wine Thieves podcasts, co-hosted with John Szabo. Sara sits on the board of BUSA (Best USA Sommelier) helping to organizing the next national competition.

Glenn Salva

Wine Estate Manager, Antinori - Antica Estate

Glenn C. Salva is responsible for all winegrowing activities for ANTICA NAPA VALLEY, the Antinori Family’s Napa Valley, California wine estate. Glenn assumed the role of Wine Estate Manager in December 2002.

The Antinori Family has been making wine for over six hundred years. Throughout its long history, spanning 26 generations, the family has always personally managed the business from their offices in Florence and, today, remains entirely family owned. Marchese Piero Antinori is President of the company and is assisted by his three daughters, Albiera, Allegra, and Alessia. The Antinori Family reputation has grown throughout the centuries by making innovative, sometimes courageous choices, always with unwavering respect for tradition and the land.

As well as the family’s traditional heritage of estates in Tuscany and Umbria, investments have been made over time in other areas highly suited to quality wine production in a quest to promote new terroirs, rich in winegrowing potential. Piero Antinori made his first visit to Napa Valley in 1966 and knew from his very first visit that someday the opportunity would allow for his family to have a wine estate in this celebrated region.

In 1985 the Antinori Family purchased a beautiful estate in the Napa Valley, an area well-known for its fine red wine production. The estate is situated on the eastern mountains of Napa Valley at an altitude of 1400 to 1800 feet above sea level. The Antinori Family was attracted to this spectacular property located on a high plateau because of its winegrowing potential; its rocky soils, high elevations and beautiful landscape. The hilly terrain is above all ideal winegrowing country. The wine estate is located above and east of the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Today, there are 600 acres of vineyard planted on the estate, along with the estate winery and extensive network of caves used for barrel ageing.

In 2006 the estate was named Antica Napa Valley, with a perfectly harmonious blend of Tuscan and Californian styles in its DNA. “Antica” is a symbol for Antinori California and represents the realization of a long-standing desire and is also a milestone in the production of great Antinori Family wines in the Napa Valley.

Glenn earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1976 where he majored in Viticulture. Glenn brings 30 years of Napa Valley winegrowing experience to his responsibilities at Antica Napa Valley.

Morgaen Hoxsey Pickett

Fifth Generation Vintner, Ghost Block Wine Estates

Growing up in Napa Valley was special, but she didn’t realize just how idyllic it was until she left home. “For so many years it was all I knew, but when I got out into the world, I realized what a paradise this valley really is.” In 2015, as her family’s wine brands – Ghost Block, Elizabeth Rose and Oakville Winery – continued to grow, Morgaen returned to Napa Valley in the role of National Sales Manager. A self-described ‘people person’ who travels extensively, Morgaen is also actively involved in the custom crush side of her family’s business, interacting with Napa Wine Company clients and working on special projects. The opportunity to work closely with her sister, Kendall, and her father, Andy, however, gives her role at the company special meaning. “As the fifth generation, Kendall and I are determined to uphold our family’s legacy and to continue what my Dad started when he founded Napa Wine Company over twenty-five years ago.”

Barry Wiss

Vice President, Trinchero Napa Valley

Barry Wiss, Vice President of Trade Relations for Trinchero Family Estates, was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. His hospitality and education career has spanned over 25 years.

In 1995, Barry became Senior Director of Hospitality and Education for Trinchero Family Estates Winery. Presently, Barry is Vice President of Trade Relations for Trinchero, and responsible for establishing one of the industry’s most creative and innovative culinary and wine education programs, Vine to Dine®. “Vine to Dine” has received international accolades and has been described as the most innovative approach to wine education. Barry is also the creator of the World Wine Challenge® App.

Barry and Kim make their home in Napa, but a love of fine wines lures them away on tours of the world’s great wine regions. Barry and his wife Kim are one of the lead wine hosts for AMA Waterways River Cruises. Barry is an avid fisherman, whose other passions include cooking, growing culinary herbs and heirloom vegetables, and building hotrods. He is a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Spirits, he has also been awarded Advanced Level Certification with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and served as President of the Society of Wine Educators.

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