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

Morgen joined the Willamette Valley Wineries Association in 2017 as Executive Director after holding similar positions with the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association and the Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association. Prior to leading wine and tourism organizations, she was the general manager of her family's vineyard and winery where she managed all aspects of wine production, vineyard management and hospitality. Morgen has a keen interest in developing strategic partnerships within the wine and tourism industries to advance the positive recognition and demand for Willamette Valley wines.

Taylor Theis is the Director of Consumer Sales and Marketing for Résonance, Maison Louis Jadot’s first project outside of Burgundy, having joined the team in 2023. With over a decade of experience in the wine industry and a strong educational background, she combines creativity and strategic thinking to enhance the brand's growth and reputation while residing in the Willamette Valley with her husband.

Rob, originally from Buffalo, New York, discovered his passion for wine during a visit to England and later earned a degree in biochemistry before pursuing viticulture and enology at U.C. Davis. After gaining extensive winemaking experience across various vineyards, he became the winemaker at Erath Vineyards in 1994 and co-founded R. Stuart & Co. Winery in 2001, where he enjoys engaging with consumers and continuously refining the winemaking process.

Olive Hamilton Russell grew up on her family's cattle farm in South Africa and studied Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Stellenbosch. She has extensive experience in food product development and retail buying, and now resides in Oregon's Willamette Valley, where she owns Hamilton Russell Oregon, producing premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A WSET Diploma holder and author of the award-winning cookbook "Entertaining at Hamilton Russell Vineyards," Olive is also an active participant in international food and wine judging panels and seminars.

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Born and raised in Napa Valley, California Heather has always appreciated her exposure to wine and food from an early age. Celebrating her 18th year in the industry her appreciation for quality and terroir-driven wines made with respect to the land and its’ people has never wavered and is encapsulated by her simple philosophy: “My goal is to let the wines speak for themselves and tell the stories that build connection and inspire joy.

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Jesse Lange began his journey in viticulture and winemaking as a child, earning pocket money in the vineyard before formal training at Lincoln University in New Zealand, supported by a grant from Oregon State University. He has worked at Santa Barbara Winery and has steadily advanced to become the head winemaker at Lange Estate in Oregon, where he oversees winemaking, vineyard management, and distribution. As a key figure in the Oregon wine industry, Jesse has served as President of both Oregon Pinot Camp and the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association, while also enjoying outdoor activities with his wife and two children.

Authentic Mexican food inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City with a modern twist. Imagine grilled fish, chicken, or steak topped with one-of-a-kind signature sauces like chipotle-wine and Portobello mushroom or sautéed artichoke heart and roasted red bell pepper. This is just a glimpse into the culinary delights made possible by Cantina Laredo.

In 1985, Jan and Rinske de Jong moved from Holland to Florida, fueled by their dream of starting a dairy, which led to the establishment of Working Cows Dairy. Now a thriving operation, Working Cows Dairy is recognized as South Alabama’s finest artisan cheesemaker. Rinske will be showcasing her delicious creations at SoWalWine and serving up artisan cheeses that pair perfectly with your favorite wines.