Vanessa Conlin

Master of Wine

Vanessa resides in Napa Valley and is the head of wine for Wine Access, a national direct to consumer e-commerce wine retailer in the US. Vanessa was previously the director of sales and marketing for several of Napa's wineries, including Arietta Wines and Dana Estates. Before moving to Napa Valley, she was the wine director for two wine shops and a wine bar in New York City.

While studying for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma she received the Niki Singer Memorial Scholarship from the International Wine Center. Vanessa worked as a professional opera singer, performing internationally and on Broadway, before falling in love with wine. She holds a master’s degree in music.

Jason Moravec

Winemaker, V. Sattui Winery

I grew up on a 10 acres ranch on the Sonoma side of the Los Carneros wine region. We grew Pinot and Chardonnay for sparkling wine. As soon as I knew winemaking was a career at age 10 I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I saw how it drew my family closer together as we turned soil into grapes and grapes into wine. Since then I have worked at Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma, Franciscan and Mount Veeder Winery in Napa and even ventured to New Zealand for a harvest at Kim Crawford Winery. In 2015 I landed here at V. Sattui Winery.

I do have a focus on whites and rose during harvest but work on the reds year round as well. I was drawn by the light hearted family atmosphere and that V. Sattui winery has a focus on small craft winemaking. We average about 1000 cases per label. With a yearly production of about 40,000 cases. This means we make a lot of different grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Merlot, Granache, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Gamay, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Pinot noir, Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah and many blends of these varieties. We also work with many styles of wine including Port, Madeira, sparkling, still, and late harvest. We are also pushing ourselves to evolve and keep up on new trends, we have now planted Chenin blanc and Albarino this year started a few barrels of brandy.

My philosophy is that we are always learning new things while respecting the tradition and heritage of winemaking. When not the winery, my lovely wife Sasha and our 14 month old Zoë live in the wine region of Howell Mountain. We have a white shepherd named Hans Gruber and a ragdoll kitten named Pretzel. We love to garden and cook. And for exercise we enjoy cycling and home renovation.

Shannon Staglin

President, Staglin Family Vineyard

Shannon Staglin is President at Staglin Family Vineyard. After graduating from UCLA, she moved back to Napa to work as a harvest intern in 2001 where she learned the details of production and viticultural practices.

In 2002, she moved from the winery into the office where she honed her skills in marketing, hospitality, consumer and trade sales. After earning her MBA from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, she chose to work for several years outside of the wine business to gain insight, a different perspective and valuable experience that she could one day share with Staglin Family Vineyard. She was recruited to create the marketing program for Wells Fargo Family Wealth, providing multifamily office solutions to ultra-high net worth client families.

In 2011 Shannon returned to Staglin Family Vineyard where she now oversees all aspects of the business. Her educational and professional experiences provide a new perspective and a fresh outlook that will enhance the family business for many years to come.

Ravi Mehta

Founder, Metaphora

Ravi’s passion for food and wine first developed over two decades ago while working as a litigation attorney in the world’s largest and prestigious law firm. Ravi moved from Orange County to Sacramento to work for the Governor, which brought him closer to Napa Valley. When not helping the Governor with Judicial and other Executive appointments, Ravi spent much of his free time in Napa learning about wine, winemaking, and vineyards from Napa Icons Robert Mondavi, Charlie and Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, Justin Myers of Silver Oak Cellars, Michael Martini, and many others. Ravi feels very fortunate to have learned and be influenced by some of the best winemakers in the world.

For Ravi, the realization of Metaphora is a gift — the culmination of his lifelong passion for wine, which led to a home in the hills of Napa Valley and the production of Metaphora. Each bottle represents, for him, the unity of family and the deep joy of friendship – an expression of the way in which good wine draws people together. The release of these personal, small-lot wines to wine enthusiasts is the completion of a circle. He believes the truly transcendent quality of wine is that it is best when shared, and hopes Metaphora wines will be a gift you share with those closest to you and plays a part in creating your treasured memories – whether to mark a significant event, special meal, or merely a successful days’ end.

Annie Favia

Winegrower, Favia

Raised on a small bustling farm in Connecticut, Annie’s early exposure to an agrarian lifestyle shaped her love of agriculture and 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.

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