James Conaway, born in Memphis, Tennessee, is an acclaimed author and journalist whose work has left an indelible mark on both American letters and the cultural history of wine country. Educated at the University of North Carolina, Southwestern at Memphis, and Stanford University, where he was a Wallace Stegner Fellow in creative writing, Conaway began his career as a reporter for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, and his early experiences in the newsroom shaped the sharp observational style that would define his later books and essays. He went on to serve as a wine critic for the Washington Post and an editor at Harper’s Bazaar before dedicating himself to a life of freelance writing.

Conaway is perhaps best known for his trilogy on Napa Valley: Napa: The Story of an American Eden (1990), The Far Side of Eden (2002), and Napa at Last Light (2018). Together, these works chronicle the transformation of Napa from a patchwork of small family farms to a global luxury destination, while also questioning the environmental and social costs of its rise. His candid portrayals of power struggles, land use battles, and the commercialization of wine earned him both acclaim and criticism within the wine industry.

In addition to his books, Conaway has contributed essays and reportage to The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New Republic, Gourmet, Smithsonian, and National Geographic Traveler, among many others. His fiction includes The Big Easy, a novel drawn from his experiences as a crime reporter in New Orleans, and Nose, a satirical mystery set in Northern California’s wine country. Residing between Washington, D.C., and California, Conaway continues to write and reflect on the intersections of culture, landscape, and human ambition. His papers, including original Napa Valley notebooks, are archived at the UC Davis Wine Library, underscoring his lasting influence as one of the foremost chroniclers of America’s wine country and its broader environmental and cultural narratives.

Priscilla Hennekam is a Brazilian-born, Adelaide-based wine consultant and founder of Hennekam Wine Consultancy. With over a decade of experience in the international wine industry, she helps producers and organizations adapt to changing markets by focusing on communication, consumer engagement, and forward-looking strategies.

She is the creator of “Rethinking the Wine Industry,” a global community that shares ideas, challenges assumptions, and brings together voices from across 65 countries. Through her writing, podcasting, and speaking engagements, Priscilla explores how the wine world can move beyond scores and tasting notes to embrace a more emotional, inclusive, and story-driven approach.

Priscilla inspires both industry professionals and wine lovers to think differently about the way wine is presented and enjoyed. Whether leading discussions on innovation, consulting with wineries, or engaging her thousands of readers and listeners, she champions a vision of wine as a bridge between people, cultures, and idea

Lamberto Frescobaldi is the President of Marchesi Frescobaldi, one of Italy’s most historic and influential wine families, with a legacy that spans over 700 years and 30 generations. Born into this lineage of Tuscan nobility, Lamberto was immersed in the world of viticulture from an early age. He studied Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florence and later completed a Master’s degree in Viticulture at the University of California, Davis, equipping him with both traditional knowledge and modern scientific expertise.

Under his leadership, the Frescobaldi group has expanded its portfolio while staying rooted in its commitment to terroir and authenticity. Lamberto has overseen the growth and innovation of iconic estates such as Tenuta Luce in Montalcino, Ornellaia in Bolgheri, and Gorgona—the only vineyard in the world run by inmates on a prison island, in partnership with the Italian government. His approach balances sustainability, social responsibility, and premium winemaking, and he has played a key role in reinforcing Tuscany’s global reputation for fine wine.

Lamberto is known not only for his stewardship of the family business but also for his forward-thinking vision in the broader wine industry. A vocal advocate for environmental stewardship, he has implemented biodiversity programs, reduced chemical use in vineyards, and invested in renewable energy across Frescobaldi properties. With a rare combination of tradition and innovation, Lamberto Frescobaldi continues to shape the future of Italian wine while honoring the weight of his family’s extraordinary legacy.

Jason Haas is a second‑generation proprietor of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, California, where he serves as Partner and General Manager. Raised immersed in the wine world, Haas accompanied his father, Robert Haas, the founder of Vineyard Brands and co‑founder of Tablas Creek, on numerous buying trips to Europe.

Under his stewardship, Tablas Creek has continued to flourish as a benchmark for Rhône‑style wines in California. Haas has taken the winery’s sustainability mission to new heights, guiding it through certifications including biodynamic farming and, most notably, becoming the first U.S. winery to earn Regenerative Organic Certified status.

In addition to his role at the winery, Haas has played influential leadership roles within the industry. He served as president of the Rhone Rangers, contributed on the boards of Free the Grapes and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and has been recognized by peers as the 2015 Paso Robles Wine Country Industry Person of the Year and the 2017 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Person of the Year. In 2022, Food & Wine Magazine honored him as a Drinks Innovator of the Year.

Beyond the vineyards, Haas has established himself as a prolific writer and speaker. His articles have been published in Wine Business Monthly, Wines & Vines, Decanter, and others. As principal author of the Tablas Creek blog, which has been nominated eight times and won twice for Wine Blog Awards’ “Best Winery Blog”, he combines thoughtful commentary with a commitment to education and transparency.

Michael Osborn is a pioneering entrepreneur and respected leader in the American wine industry, best known as the founder of Wine.com, the largest online wine retailer in the United States. With a career that spans more than two decades at the intersection of technology and wine, Osborn has played a pivotal role in reshaping how consumers discover, purchase, and connect with wine.

He launched the company in 1998 under the name eVineyard, driven by a vision to make wine more accessible and the buying experience more intuitive through the power of e-commerce. By 2001, he had acquired the Wine.com domain and began building what would become the most recognized digital wine retailer in the country. As Vice President of Merchandising, Osborn led Wine.com's product strategy and brand partnerships, curating an extensive catalog of thousands of labels for a generation of online consumers.

In 2025, after nearly three decades with Wine.com, Osborn was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of Oregon’s most celebrated wine producers. In this new chapter, he brings his strategic expertise and deep industry relationships to the world of production, with the goal of strengthening the winery’s national brand and advancing its mission of sustainability, hospitality, and quality.

Steve Matthiasson is a Napa Valley winemaker and viticulturalist whose influence has reshaped the conversation around California wine. Known for his restrained, elegant style and deep commitment to sustainable farming, he is both a celebrated producer and a trusted vineyard consultant to some of the region’s most respected estates. Alongside his wife Jill, he founded Matthiasson Wines in 2003, creating a label defined by its freshness, balance, and reverence for both classic and unusual grape varieties.

With a background in philosophy and horticulture, Matthiasson brings a thoughtful, agriculture-first approach to winemaking. His early work in integrated pest management and organic viticulture helped lay the foundation for California’s sustainable winegrowing movement. In fact, he co-authored the influential Lodi Winegrower’s Workbook, which became a blueprint for the state’s environmental standards in viticulture.

Michael Juergens is the founder of the Bhutan Wine Company and the visionary behind the development of Bhutan’s nascent wine industry. A longtime wine expert, certified sommelier, and Master of Wine candidate, Juergens began his journey in wine over three decades ago. By day, he is a senior partner at Deloitte, where he leads the firm’s Winery Solutions & Services practice, advising some of the world’s most prestigious wineries. But it was a 2016 visit to Bhutan—originally for a marathon—that set him on a new path. Surprised to find no vineyards in a country with ideal growing conditions, Juergens began exploring the possibility of cultivating wine grapes in the Himalayan kingdom.

In 2019, after extensive research, local collaboration, and a green light from the Bhutanese government, he planted the country's first vineyards. Today, the Bhutan Wine Company farms nine vineyard sites across elevations ranging from 500 to over 9,000 feet, experimenting with varietals including Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling to discover what best expresses Bhutan’s unique terroir. In 2023, the company released its inaugural vintage, a micro-release called “First Barrel,” which fetched international attention when a single 7.57L bottle was auctioned at Bonhams for $18,750.

Juergens has been outspoken about building Bhutan’s wine industry with integrity, aligning with the country’s Gross National Happiness ethos by focusing on sustainability, community development, and cultural integration. Beyond the vineyards, he has also launched Bhutan Wine Co. initiatives that support local employment, cooperage, and food and beverage programs tied to wine culture. In 2025, the company will release its first commercial wine and open a wine bar and tasting room in Thimphu. His efforts have positioned Bhutan as a remarkable new voice in the world of wine.

Heidi Peterson Barrett is one of the most influential and celebrated winemakers in California, widely recognized for her pivotal role in shaping the cult wine movement of Napa Valley. Born in Berkeley and raised in the Napa Valley, Barrett is the daughter of Dr. Richard Peterson, a respected winemaker, and Diane Peterson, an artist and musician. This unique combination of science and art formed the foundation of her winemaking philosophy. She began working in vineyards as a teenager and went on to earn her degree in Fermentation Science from UC Davis, one of the few women in her graduating class.

At just 25 years old, Barrett became the head winemaker at Buehler Vineyards, where her talent quickly drew critical acclaim. She launched her consulting career in 1988 and began working with Screaming Eagle, where she produced the now-legendary 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon, another 100-point wine that cemented her place in wine history. A six-liter bottle of that vintage famously sold at auction for $500,000.

Over the course of her career, Barrett has crafted wines for some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious labels, including Paradigm, Grace Family, Amuse Bouche, Kenzo Estate, Lamborn Family, and Fantesca. She is also the founder and winemaker of La Sirena, her personal label known for expressive, small-lot wines that reflect her signature style: elegance, balance, and approachability. In addition to La Sirena, she collaborates with her husband, Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, on the Barrett & Barrett label. With a career spanning over four decades, Heidi Barrett remains a visionary and enduring force in the world of wine.

Hunter Rudd is a wine entrepreneur redefining how consumers discover and connect with wine. As CEO and co-founder of Wine Dispensary and Somm Says, he blends digital strategy, personalized service, and tech-driven tools to create accessible, engaging wine experiences for modern drinkers. At Wine Dispensary in Denver, he leads a team focused on delivering deeply personalized service, curated selections, and cutting-edge ecommerce solutions. Through Somm Says, he merges technology and storytelling to guide customers through the world of wine with approachable games that make winetasting fun.

A former U.S. Army Green Beret with three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, Hunter brings mission-driven focus and precision to every venture. After earning his MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, he turned his focus to the beverage world, building businesses that marry digital marketing, advanced data analytics, and hospitality. He collaborates with philanthropic initiatives like the RMA Children’s Foundation and serves as a vocal advocate for veteran transition and entrepreneurship. Based in Denver, his work is rooted in community, education, and a belief that wine should be approachable, not intimidating.

Jane Anson is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Bordeaux wine. A celebrated wine writer, author, and critic, she spent nearly two decades living in Bordeaux, where she became the first woman to write a definitive book on the region, Inside Bordeaux, widely regarded as a benchmark reference for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

A former long-time correspondent for Decanter, Anson has contributed to publications such as The Guardian, The Financial Times, and Wine Enthusiast. She holds a Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and trained in wine tasting at the prestigious Faculty of Oenology at the University of Bordeaux.

In 2021, she launched JaneAnson.com, an independent subscription-based platform offering in-depth wine writing, reports, and tasting notes. Her work is known for its precision, deep context, and ability to capture the nuances of terroir and winemaking philosophy. Jane Anson is a vital voice in modern wine journalism, and deeply engaged with the evolution of fine wine.