Megan Bravo, a Santa Barbara County native with 20 years of wine industry experience, joined Alma Rosa Winery in August as the director of business development.
In her new role, Bravo will oversee all direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels, including Alma Rosa’s downtown Solvang tasting room and the historic Ranch House on Santa Rosa Road in Buellton, according to Debra Eagle, Alma Rosa’s general manager.
Bravo started her wine career at The Wine Club of Santa Ana and The Wine Country in Long Beach. She later relocated back to Santa Barbara County to become tasting room manager at Brander Vineyard. Following that job, she worked in wholesale sales with Classic Wines before joining Terravant Wine Co. (now Summerland Wine Brands), where she was director of sourcing. Most recently, Bravo was business development manager at Folded Hills Winery.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bravo launched a nonprofit monthly meeting series for DTC managers to incite peer engagement and collaboration, and continues to lead that group today.
Bravo and her husband, Fabian, Brander’s longtime winemaker, also produce their own wines under the label Casita Bravo.
Terri Buzzard New Executive Chef for Gleason Family Vineyards
The Gleason Family Vineyards portfolio of brands (Roblar and Refugio Ranch vineyards, and Roblar Farm) last month announced the appointment of Terri Buzzard as the hospitality group’s new executive chef.
In this new role, Buzzard will oversee all culinary operations for Roblar Vineyard and all tasting room locations, as well as the catering menus for all the events hosted by the properties.
Buzzard first joined the Roblar kitchen team in 2021, under then-executive chef Peter Cham, where she helped craft a culinary experience utilizing Roblar Farm’s own bounty of seasonal, fresh produce, but also ingredients from surrounding Santa Ynez Valley farms and ranches.
Before joining Roblar, Buzzard resided in Los Angeles, where she opened a handful of family restaurants: Mosa in 2019, Jaffa in 2018 and Sausal in 2015. Before those eateries, she was a chef for Bon Appétit Management Co.
In addition, as the executive chef for The Restaurant at the Getty Center, Buzzard created a farm-to-table menu sourced mainly from the Santa Monica Farmers Market — then in its infancy. Her menus earned accolades and, in 2007, an invitation to cook at the James Beard Foundation’s Beard House in New York City as part of a regional chefs’ series.
Roblar Winery and Vineyards is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for wine tasting; reservations are required. Buzzard’s lunch or “bites” menus are offered daily; supper menus are offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; with a brunch menu served on Sunday until 4 p.m.
Refugio Ranch Vineyards’ Los Olivos tasting room is also open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended.
Winemaker Angela Osborne Returns to Folded Hills
Angela Osborne, the founding winemaker at Folded Hills Winery, has returned to the business to lead cellar operations. From 2015 to 2020, Osborne produced the Rhône varieties for which Folded Hills is known.
Additionally, Folded Hills’ co-owner, Kim Busch, will resume an active role in the overall management of the business. Together, the predominantly female-led team will further Folded Hills’ commitment to crafting small-production Rhône-style wines from their estate vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley.
“When Angela initially joined Folded Hills, we were immediately captivated by her intuitive, hands-off approach to winemaking. Her deep connection with the earth, its natural rhythms, and the grapes is truly profound,” Busch said.
At that time, New Zealand-born Osborne had already established her own label, A Tribute to Grace, which focuses on grenache characterized by high acidity and modest alcohol levels.
“I am honored to be returning to the Folded Hills family. I have missed this incredible site and its profound coastal influence,” Osborne said. “The estate remains one of the most beautiful California vineyards I have worked with, and I am beyond grateful to have this opportunity not once but twice.”
State Association Honors Miller Family
The California Association of Winegrape Growers has named Santa Barbara County’s Miller Family/The Thornhill Cos. as its 2025 Grower of the Year.
Also recognized is Paso Robles’ Randy Heinzen, president of Vineyard Professional Services, as the 2025 Leader of the Year.
The Grower of the Year award, the highest honor bestowed by CAWG, recognizes individuals, families or companies for exceptional excellence in viticulture, successful management, innovation and leadership within the industry.
“We applaud the outstanding leadership of the Miller family and Randy Heinzen, whose contributions have helped elevate the wine grape industry while inspiring positive change,” CAWG President Natalie Collins said.
“The Miller family’s enduring commitment to the California wine grape industry is truly remarkable. Their leadership in sustainable farming practices and active engagement in industry advocacy have greatly strengthened the entire wine grape community,” she said.
The Miller family’s farming heritage on the Central Coast encompasses five generations. In 1969, brothers Bob and Stephen Miller set their sights on planting a vineyard that would be recognized among the world’s best. Their effort culminated in the planting of both the Bien Nacido and French Camp vineyards.
Today, Bien Nacido is recognized as one of California’s finest vineyards and ranks among the top 25 vineyards in the world.
The Miller family remains devoted to leadership at the local and state levels industry-wide and Stephen Miller’s two sons, Nicholas and Marshall, are active CAWG members. Nicholas Miller is vice president of sales and marketing and Marshall Miller the chief operations officer.
“Part of what makes the wine grape business so special is the fraternity of those who are in it,” Marshall Miller said. “To be recognized by our peers feels like the highest form of compliment, and we take this award with the greatest sense of appreciation.”
Heinzen is a first-generation wine grape grower in Paso Robles, and was honored for his unwavering commitment to sustainability and excellence across the board in the Central Coast wine industry.
CAWG will host an awards reception at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 during the 2025 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento.
Earlier this month, the Millers announced the hiring of Gregory Gonzales, who will be director of agriculture operations for Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills vineyards, and Carlyle Farming Co.
Gonzalez replaces longtime manager of the vineyards, Chris Hammell, who will work alongside the former during the current harvest.
Gonzalez brings 15 years of experience across the Central Coast and Central Valley, according to the Miller family.
Raised on his family’s hazelnut farm in Oregon, Gonzalez first joined the wine industry as a harvest intern at Scheid Vineyards in Monterey. After 12 years with Scheid, where he rose to director of vineyard operations, managing more than 4,200 vineyard acres across Monterey County, Gonzalez was hired by Foley Family Farms.
Following Foley, he joined Coastal Vineyard Care Associates to help scale and transition the Buellton company’s rapidly growing operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Greg to our team,” Marshall Miller said. “His hands-on approach and deep understanding of the land align perfectly with Bien Nacido’s philosophy of growing high-quality grapes that reflect the unique terroir of the land.”
Gonzalez will lead the Miller family’s efforts to gradually replant and redesign Bien Nacido Vineyard, planted in 1973, and its sister vineyard, Solomon Hills, planted in the late 1990s, during the next several years.
As part of the Miller’s long-term vision, a portion of the land will be leased to local vegetable farmers to foster a deeper connection with the community.
“These local farmers help us by cleaning up the blocks, tilling the soil and removing any remaining old vine roots. Their crop rotation throughout the year also rejuvenates the soil, replenishing vital nutrients,” said Anthony Avila, winemaker for Bien Nacido’s estate label.
SBV Foundation Wine Auction Returns in November
The Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation has announced the return of the biennial wine auction, this year Nov. 8-9 at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation is founded on “Grounded in Giving,” and the auction is the nonprofit organization’s marquee fundraising event.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the auction’s longtime charity partner, Direct Relief, and Presqu’ile Winery will be recognized as the 2024 Honorary Winery. Local artist Pedro De La Cruz will be the featured artist for the event.
The opening reception will Friday, Nov. 8, and the black-tie gala will be Saturday, Nov. 9. The event traditionally unites leaders of the Santa Barbara wine community, philanthropists and wine lovers for a weekend of exceptional wine and food in the hotel’s ballroom.
Friday evening will include a wine tasting and performance by the Tepusquet Tornadoes, and on Saturday, guests will be treated to a four-course dinner featuring award-winning chefs Neal Fraser (Redbird, Los Angeles), Jason Paluska (The Lark, Santa Barbara) and renowned pastry chef Lincoln Carson, followed by an auction offering rare and unique wine and travel experiences.
Direct Relief is a Santa Barbara-based international humanitarian organization that provides essential medical resources to doctors and community health workers worldwide, regardless of politics, religion or ability to pay. A paddle raise will follow to support Community Health Centers, a key provider of medical services to Santa Barbara’s farmworker community.
Presqu’ile is a family-owned winery in Santa Maria that has exemplified the foundation’s mission “Grounded in Giving” through its significant contributions to improve access to health care and education for the local community.
“Our Honorary Winery Award isn’t just an acknowledgement of a leading wine brand,” said Jessica Gasca, president of the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation and owner/winemaker of Story of Soil.
“It’s for the leaders of our community who go above and beyond expectation. The Murphy family exemplifies our mission, understanding that giving back to our community is the ultimate way to respect our land, the people who work it and to help create a sustainable world.”
De La Cruz will be the 2024 featured artist, and his painting “‘”El Amor a La Vida” was inspired by gratitude for the people who love and nurture the county’s vineyards. His piece will be available for purchase during Saturday’s live auction.
The 2024 Wine Auction will mark the foundation’s 13th year of gathering together to support, strengthen and give back to its community.