Women in Wine
maryann Pellegrini
Chief Executive Officer -
Trentadue Winery
(Sonoma County, California)
Maryann Pellegrini, CEO at Trentadue Winery, has deep roots in the California agriculture business. Growing up in a family that owned a Central Valley farming operation for generations, she was expected to help with the farm work. Throughout her childhood and until she graduated high school, Maryann took on various jobs in her family’s business, from driving tractors to eventually managing administrative duties in the farm office, where she reconciled bank accounts, paid bills, and handled payroll.
Through this experience, Maryann discovered her passion for accounting and finance. In 2009, she attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she double majored with BS degrees in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Science. Her first job took her back to the Central Valley, where she worked as an accounting assistant at another local farm.
In 2010, Maryann joined Trentadue as accounting manager and was quickly promoted to controller. Her skills and dedication made her an invaluable asset to Trentadue. In 2017, she continued her education and earned her MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University. By 2021, Maryann had risen to the position of VP of Finance at Trentadue, and she was promoted to CEO in late 2023.
As a leader of a family-owned small business, she manages numerous responsibilities, including all accounting and finance functions of the winery and vineyard; annual audits, monthly financial reporting, cash flow and budget forecasting, federal and state compliance, tax reporting, AR/AP, payroll, banking, and lease financing. She also plays a pivotal role in the overall management of the winery.
When asked what she values most about Trentadue, Maryann says, “The team. I enjoy the community of co-workers we have at Trentadue. We’re like one big family.”
For women interested in becoming female wine professionals or pursuing careers in the wine industry, Maryann has one simple piece of advice: don’t stop learning. As a strong advocate for women in wine, she believes that continuous education and growth are key to success in this vibrant field.
Laura March
Tasting Room Manager - Keenan Winery
(Napa Valley, California)
Laura March is a remarkable example of a female wine professional at Keenan Winery. As the tasting room manager, her sunny smile instantly makes visitors feel at home in the warm, family atmosphere that embodies the spirit of women in the wine industry. When she steps out of the tasting room, she takes on her additional roles as a bookkeeper and direct-to-consumer compliance officer, ensuring the smooth operation of the winery’s business.
Born and raised in St. Helena and the daughter of a grape grower, Laura's knowledge of grapes and wine began early. At just 19, she started her first job in the industry on the bottling line at Sutter Home. Laura joined Keenan in 1995 when her then-husband was the cellar master and initially helped part-time in the tasting room. Eager to learn, she took on various roles in the winery’s business. However, her passion for working in the tasting room has always remained her favorite.
“I really love meeting people from all over. Everyone is so happy to be in the valley, making my job easy,” she says. “I enjoy educating folks about common misconceptions in the industry, such as the difference between a California Chardonnay and a Chablis style. Over the years, I’ve established many wonderful relationships with our customers, which allows me to create personal connections with visitors.”
These connections are vital not only for Laura but also for promoting Keenan and its wines, highlighting the impact of women in wine.
“I think in a position such as mine, it’s crucial to remember that we are in the hospitality business. Always treat folks with respect and be friendly. I believe it’s important not to push for purchases. Be polite and let the wine sell itself,” she says.
If you find yourself in Napa, be sure to stop by Keenan Winery and say hello to Laura, a true advocate for women in the wine industry!
tokar Glenn
Caitlin Payne
U.S. Business Manager, Preston-Layne
Tokar manages business relationships between distributors and key On- and Off-Premises customers primarily in the Northeast and some Mid-Western states, contributing to the growing presence of female wine professionals in the industry.
Tokar graduated from Tufts University (Medford, MA) in 1991. After a successful 10-year career in health and fitness, she transitioned into the wine industry by joining the US team of Boutinot Ltd. During her eight years there, Tokar gained invaluable import experience and developed and managed distributor relationships, focusing on French, Italian, and South African wines, which showcases the vital role of women in the wine industry.
Tokár joined the Preston-Layne & Partners team in July of 2013, further paving the way for Women in Wine.
Caitlin Payne
Caitlin Payne
Director of Sales and Marketing,
Trentadue Winery
(California)
If you attend a wine tasting, join the Wine Club, or take part in a winery event at Trentadue Winery, you will likely meet the effervescent Caitlin Payne, one of the prominent female wine professionals making a mark in the industry.
As Direct to Consumer Manager, Caitlin handles her duties alongside managing the winery’s social media accounts and any interactions that connect her with the winery’s customers directly.
Caitlin began her career in wine with a seasonal summer tasting room position at a winery back in 2012. She progressed to become a tasting room associate at Francis Ford Coppola Winery and officially joined Trentadue in June 2018.
Caitlin’s BA in Psychology from Sacramento State University has likely equipped her to excel in many facets of her role at Trentadue, especially when interacting with the various visitors to the winery. This aspect of her job is her favorite, and she has mastered it.
“I love working with people,” she says. “I enjoy introducing individuals to new wines and the relationships I’ve built with customers over the years.”
As a successful woman in the wine industry, Caitlin encourages other young women to explore careers in this field as well.
“Go for it! And don’t worry if you feel like you don’t know a lot about wine – most of us started out in the industry that way and learned as we went,” she advises. “It’s a very supportive industry and a fantastic one to be a part of!”
If you run into Caitlin during your visit to the winery, you might also get to meet the adorable Gunther. Be sure to give him a pet for us!
Dianne Carter
President/CEO @ Uncorked, LLC (New Hampshire)
Dianne Carter, President and CEO of Uncorked, LLC in New Hampshire, made her decision to join the wine business over an anniversary glass of white wine.
“I came up with the idea of New England Uncorked in early 2012 after my husband and I stumbled upon a sign for a winery during an anniversary trip to Mystic, CT,” she says. “We decided to stop in and have a glass of wine, and it was while enjoying that glass (an estate-grown Gewurztraminer) that I made the decision to change my career.”
Not one to procrastinate, Dianne opened her new wine distribution business, New England Uncorked, in 2013. As the company grew and evolved, the name was simplified to Uncorked.
Dianne, who holds BA degrees in both business and marketing, worked in the technology industry for 25 years. Starting Uncorked was literally Dianne’s first job in the wine business, and she set about to learn as much as she could about wine and the industry, particularly as a female wine professional.
“I decided to obtain an education in wine,” she says. “I have studied wine for several years through Les Chevaliers du Grand Vin, The Society of Wine Educators, Cornell University, and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. I presently hold Cellar Master status and several regionally focused certificates.”
Ten years ago, Dianne was a novice in the business. Today, her love for wine and dedication have made Uncorked extremely successful, with her portfolio now consisting of over 550 wines from around the world.
As President and CEO of Uncorked, Dianne oversees all aspects of the company, including portfolio management and development, sales, marketing, finances, event planning and more. However, her favorite aspects of her role involve the wine itself and the people in the industry.
“First, there is just no better feeling than meeting new people on a regular basis who appreciate what you are doing in the wine world and are just as excited as I am about tasting the wines in my portfolio for the first time,” she says. “Second, there is a story behind almost every wine. I love hearing the story. Third, tasting new wines and, now and then, discovering a new favorite. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
For other women in the wine industry looking to break into wine distribution, Dianne offers these bits of wisdom: “Learn everything you can and never stop learning; find a mentor and ask a lot of questions; know the laws in your state (every state is so different); and know your market. If you are passionate about what you are doing, you will succeed. And, in the words of one of my favorite mentors, ‘Taste everything’.”
This year, Dianne was also selected by the founders of Women in Wine Day as one of the women shaping the wine industry. Check out their site -- https://www.womeninwineday.com
Lauren Bright
Marisa Hatfield
Fine Wine Sales Consultant, PG Fine Wines
(Florida)
Lauren Bright is a Fine Wine Sales Consultant representing our South Florida distributor partners, PG Fine Wines. As a dedicated female wine professional, she champions the role of women in the wine industry, showcasing their impact and influence.
A native of Fort Myers, Fla., Lauren is one of three siblings, with her parents still residing in the area. As a hardworking single mom to two beautiful kids, she balances her family life with a deeply rooted commitment to the wine business.
Her passion for wine ignited 17 years ago when she became a Marketing Brand Ambassador on the SWFL coast with Envision Marketing, a division of Southern Wine and Spirits. At that time, she was working as an Assistant Banquet Manager and venturing into an eight-year journey in the food and beverage industry while pursuing her college education. Taking a leap of faith, she embraced her passion, marking the beginning of her inspiring journey in the world of wine.
As a young woman entering the industry, Lauren was bright-eyed and eager to explore various facets of the business. She consistently said "yes" to opportunities that advanced her wine career. Over the years, she has excelled in diverse roles, including Marketing/Sales Rep Brand Ambassador, Wine Retail Sales Consultant, wine events business owner, and Wine Distribution Sales. With a relentless thirst for knowledge, she has been fortunate to receive specialized training from some of the industry's best, including earning her CSW certification through San Francisco Wine Academy, contributing to her status as a notable figure among women in wine.
Currently, Lauren takes pride in being part of a growing team at PG Fine Wines of Florida, where she serves as a Fine Wine Sales Consultant for Lee and Charlotte County. For the past three and a half years, she has relished the opportunity to expand PG Fine Wines' presence in the SWFL area, forging invaluable connections and creating lasting relationships.
Cheers to a good life and good wine!
Marisa Hatfield
Marisa Hatfield
Marisa Hatfield
Former Sales Manager, PG Fine Wines (Florida) Marisa began her journey in the wine industry by waiting tables to fund her college education. During a staff training session, she caught the attention of a distributor, who, after testing her palate, hired her immediately on her 21st birthday. With over 12 years of experience as a female wine professional, Marisa has formed many invaluable connections in the wine and beverage industry, helping to bridge suppliers and distributors through her strong personal relationships. Now a proud single mom of two, she fiercely competes in her field as part of the growing community of women in the wine industry. In her downtime from PG Fine Wines, Marisa loves spending time at the beach, enjoying family activities, rock climbing, paddle boarding, and focusing on personal fitness. Her favorite meal pairing is oysters with champagne, a testament to her refined palate.
Molly Fisher
Marisa Hatfield
Marisa Hatfield
Administrator for Miro Cellars
(California)
Molly Fisher is affectionately known as “Mrs. Miro” at Miro Cellars, which she lovingly refers to as their "little mom & pop winery." As a prominent figure among female wine professionals, Molly’s journey showcases the vital role women in the wine industry play.
With a background in graphic design and illustration, she maintains a small side-gig design business. Her first project for Miro Cellars involved designing the wine labels and website. However, she credits much of the creative vision to her collaborative partnership with her husband and co-owner, Miro Tcholakov.
Molly takes charge of all retail and wholesale orders for the winery, engages in conversations with customers and vendors, manages bookkeeping, coordinates logistics, and handles any necessary graphic design work. She often pours at wine tastings both alongside Miro and independently when he is otherwise occupied.
While Miro Cellars serves as a side project for Miro, it is Molly's primary job. As an advocate for women in wine, she aspires to open their own tasting room in the future, as her favorite part of the job is meeting her customers face-to-face.