Sip, Sip, Hooray! SoWalWine’s on the way.

Charlotte's passion for wine began in her youth while working at her family's restaurant. She honed her skills through various roles in the food and beverage industry, including fine wine consulting and restaurant management. With over 15 years of experience, Charlotte joined Rombauer Vineyards as Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager. She is fluent in French and Spanish and holds a WSET Level 3 Advanced Wine Certificate. Charlotte is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for Rombauer's wines with consumers and trade partners alike.

Myra Barginear, MD, is the co-founder and CEO of Paul Sutton Bourbon®, reviving a century-old family tradition. With a background in chemistry and a passion for bourbon, she and her husband Paul reverse-engineered the family's mash recipe in 2013. The company sources grains from local, family-owned farms, ensuring authenticity and quality. Myra is the first woman to co-found and lead a solely owned and operated family distilled spirits company. Paul Sutton Bourbon® has gained national recognition, earning awards like "Top 50 Whiskey" at the International Spirits Competition. The brand's commitment to crafting exceptional bourbon, grain-to-glass, honors the family legacy and sets a new standard for American whiskey.

Britta Gentle, Senior Director of Sales for the Americas at Domaine Serene, oversees the distribution of the winery's exceptional Oregon and Burgundy wines. With a background in hospitality and a passion for wine, she has spent over 20 years studying and exploring the world's major wine regions. Drawn to Domaine Serene's commitment to quality, she now works to share the unique character of their wines with wine enthusiasts worldwide. Living in the Willamette Valley, she deeply appreciates the terroir that shapes these exceptional wines.

Erik Kramer, winemaker at WillaKenzie Estate, is renowned for crafting world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a background in science and a passion for wine, he pursued a postgraduate diploma in viticulture and oenology in New Zealand. After gaining experience in New Zealand and Oregon wineries like Domaine Serene and Adelsheim Vineyard, he joined WillaKenzie Estate. Erik's scientific approach, combined with his deep understanding of terroir, allows him to create wines that reflect the unique character of the Willamette Valley. When not at the winery, he enjoys spending time with his family in McMinnville.

Ben Casteel, the son of Bethel Heights Vineyard founders, initially pursued an English degree. However, a transformative experience working a Burgundy harvest in 1999 ignited his passion for winemaking. After gaining experience at Rex Hill, Ben joined Bethel Heights in 2005. Inspired by his family's legacy, he strives to craft wines that reflect the unique terroir of the vineyard. Ben believes in a hands-on approach, allowing the wines to express the true character of the vintage and the land.

Hailing from Northern Michigan, Max began his winemaking journey in 2009, honing his skills at various Michigan wineries. Seeking global experience, he spent a year working harvests in California and New Zealand. In 2015, drawn to Oregon's cool climate and unique terroir, Max joined Penner-Ash Wine Cellars for harvest. He then joined Ponzi Vineyards in 2016, where he has gained experience in various cellar roles. Passionate about low-intervention winemaking and sustainable practices, Max strives to craft wines that authentically express Oregon's terroir.

Perhaps none other could be better suited to represent Banfi globally than the accomplished Jgor Marini. His vast experience spans all relevant aspects of the wine industry with roles in retail, restaurant, import and export. The consummate salesman, Jgor joined Banfi in 2012 as Regional Manager, Europe and quickly became a core member of the Banfi family, embracing the company's ethos and demonstrating an unparalleled ability to share the Banfi story. As global brand ambassador, Jgor spends most of his time traveling internationally and spending time with customers, further solidifying Banfi's global presence.

Nancy Garrison, a fourth-generation Austinite, grew up in her family's retail business. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and gained experience in retail management at Filene's. In 1990, she returned to Austin to lead Scarbroughs Department Stores for 15 years. In 2006, she and her husband founded Garrison Brothers Distillery. As co-founder, Nancy is actively involved in sales, marketing, and product development, including the popular HoneyDew bourbon. She is a respected community leader, serving on various non-profit boards and receiving the 2021 Outstanding Alumni Award from UT Austin. A passionate advocate for bourbon, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.