Fearless Pursuit

You’ve worked in sales and marketing for elite brands including Silver Oak and Kosta Browne. What did you learn from those experiences that’s helped you build your brand?

My experiences at Silver Oak and Kosta Browne taught me the power of authenticity and storytelling. Now, I weave that into my own brand—like the California state flower on my label and handwritten thank you notes with every order. I want every detail to reflect who I am and show my gratitude to those trusting a new name in wine.

You also worked as the executive assistant of another prominent vintner, Ambassador Kathryn Hall, before you started your winery. What perspective might you have gained from working closely with such a strong leader in the business?

Working with Kathryn Hall was an incredible experience. She’s thoughtful, intelligent, and not afraid to ask questions. Her approach to building a winery—experimenting, learning from failures, and ultimately succeeding—taught me the value of curiosity and humility. It’s okay not to have all the answers. I learned to ask for help, embrace failure, and keep pushing forward. I’m so thankful for my five years at HALL. The entire company is full of rockstars.

We’re on the brink of Hispanic Heritage Month, and your roots are fully Hispanic. What has that meant to you, particularly as you’ve made your way as a winemaker? 

My Hispanic heritage is a source of deep pride. The traditions, the sense of community, and the pride in hard work are all values I carry with me as a winemaker and owner. In an industry where representation matters, I take my role seriously—both as a winemaker and as a Mexican-American woman. I want my presence here to encourage others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their passions fearlessly.

Tell us about your involvement in Wine Women, another entity uplifting women in the industry. What are your primary concerns around gender equity these days? How does collaborating with other women begin to alleviate those concerns?

As the Programs Director on the Board of Wine Women, our mission is to empower women in the wine industry by creating events and opportunities that spotlight women speakers, winemakers, and panelists. There’s strong momentum for promoting women, but I still often find myself in male-dominated spaces during winemaking and executive meetings. While things are improving, it’s an ongoing challenge. After years of being told the boardroom isn’t for us, women are finally realizing we belong there, and men are starting to encourage it too. But it requires daily effort. Women are each other’s greatest supporters, and together, we can keep raising the floor and pushing the ceiling.

One of the wines we’ll be sharing is Muscadelle, a varietal you don’t see too often in California. Tell us about the grape, the vineyard, and why you decided to make the wine.

I’m excited to share my Muscadelle, a varietal that’s quite rare in California. It’s generally blended with Sauvignon Blanc but this vineyard has 120-year-old vines so we kept it 100% Muscadelle! It has a lovely stone fruit and citrus flavors that would pair beautifully with a peach salad or fresh crab.

The charming cat on the label is my beloved Simba, whom we adopted from a Napa Valley shelter, aligning perfectly with the wine’s mission to support animal shelters.

What do you love about the industry? What do you wish would change?

What I love about the industry is the vibrant interplay between nature, people, and the art of winemaking. The thrill of crafting a wine that truly represents its vintage and vineyard is immensely satisfying.

The biggest change I’d wish for is the complex and often cumbersome regulations surrounding alcohol—such as shipping restrictions, extra taxes, and licensing requirements. While these obstacles can be a significant expense and logistical hurdle, the connections and experiences they facilitate make it worthwhile. I love my job and the wine industry, I can’t imagine ever leaving.

What’s in your glass at the end of the day?

At the end of the day, lately I’ve been enjoying wines from the south of France. My fiancé and I are excitedly diving into a new venture, making a wine in Lirac, near Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We’ve been sampling more Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre wines to get to know the region better. It’s a refreshing departure from our usual Pinot Noir, and we’re thrilled about this new chapter. Our first vintage will be ready for bottling around the same time you receive your Morét-Brealynn Wines!