David Beckstoffer is President of Beckstoffer Vineyards, the largest independent grape grower on the North Coast. Beckstoffer Vineyards grows winegrapes in the Napa Valley as well as Mendocino and Lake Counties. David has served as a Director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers since 2003.

Jon Ruel is the Director of Viticulture and Enology at Trefethen Family Vineyards in the Oak Knoll District. He guides the crafting of superlative wines from their estate vineyards. Jon's years of experience in ecological research provide him with a unique perspective on sustainable viticulture. Jon chairs the NVG Industry Issues Committee.

Sam Turner earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly in 1979 and received his Masters Degree in Viticulture from U.C. Davis in 1983. Sam entered the wine industry by working at Christian Brothers in 1985 and began his own vineyard management company in 1994. Sam farms for more than 25 clients and manages over 900 acres.

Bruce Phillips is a fifteen year veteran of the food and consumer product industry, and has been involved in a variety of ventures, from Odwalla, Inc. to Constellation Brands Inc.. Bruce also serves as General Manager of Phillips Farming Company, a premium Oakville cabernet grower in the Napa Valley.

Stan purchased his property on Big Ranch Road in the Oak Knoll Appellation of the Napa Valley in 1998. From the beginning, they held a vision that very special wines and memories could be created in this location. Since then, over 20,000 vines of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon have been planted, tended, nurtured, harvested, crushed and coaxed into fine wine. Stan serves on the NVG Marketing & Communications Committee.

John joined PlumpJack as the General Manager in 1999 to oversee the daily operations of the estate winery and vineyard. Conover is also a partner in the newest PlumpJack project, CADE, a new estate winery on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. CADE produces estate wine grown on 21 organically farmed acres planted on steep slopes and boasts a new LEED-certified winery and extensive barrel-aging caves. John serves on the NVG Marketing & Communications Committee.

Mike is a wine business advisor and founding Partner of Global Wine Partners LLC (GWP) an investment banking firm providing investment advisory, merger and acquisition, financing and valuation services exclusively to the wine industry. Prior to joining MKF (GWP’s predecessor) in 1985, Mike was with Joseph Phelps Vineyards and has lived in the Napa Valley since 1978. He is part owner of Hidden Knoll Vineyard in Rutherford. Mike chairs the NVG Finance Committee.

Bill is a 5th generation California grapegrower and great-grandson of naturalist John Muir. He grew up in Napa and with his father, the late John Muir Hanna, expanded the family vineyards to the current 40 acres. Muir-Hanna Vineyards produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. Bill has been on the board of directors since 2007 and serves on the Industry Issues Committee.

Hal Huffsmith serves as the Senior Vice President of Vineyard Operations with Trinchero Family Estates managing all aspects of farming and vineyard development for the Trinchero properties. Working closely with the winemaking team, Mr. Huffsmith is constantly fine-tuning each vineyard to grow fruit that is intensely flavored and expressive of variety and site. Hal currently serves on the Industry Issues Committee, where he helps ensure the perpetuity of Napa Valley viticulture through handling the myriad of important issues that Napa vineyard owners face.

In 1979, Larry Hyde founded Hyde Vineyards. Hyde Vineyards is a family venture, with Larry as general manager. Larry has previously worked at Ridge Winery, Cuvaison, Robert Mondavi and Joseph Phelps. Growing grapes is Larry’s biggest passion and he is highly respected for his viticultural knowledge. Larry serves on the Industry Issues Committee.

Ryan MacDonnell, in partnership with her brother Miles, operates Round Pond Estate Winery and Olive Mill. Founded in the early 1980s, Round Pond produces estate wines and artisan food products from its Rutherford property in the Napa Valley. MacDonnell holds an undergraduate degree from University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from Stanford Law School. She has worked for the family business since 2003. Ryan serves on the Marketing & Communications Committee.

Steve did not pursue the conventional wisdom prevailing in 1999 when determining which varieties to plant at their Oak Knoll vineyard. They have capitalized on the extended hang time afforded by the cooler climate of the Oak Knoll District in growing premium Cabernet for 4 boutique wineries. Steve serves on the NVG Member Services Committee and is Chair of the Vineyard Owners Seminar.

Julie Nord is one of the few female vineyard managers in California. Julie was raised in the Napa Valley and joined Nord Coast Vineyard Service in 1994. While working her way through various aspects of the vineyard and winery industry, Julie received her B.A. in Chemistry and Music from U.C. Davis and went on to Texas A&M University for a Masters in Soil Science. Julie serves on the NVG Member Services Committee.

Arnulfo Solorio is a Partner at Silverado Farming Company. Before joining SFC, his 20-year career included vineyard management positions at Franciscan Estates and Domaine Chandon. Arnulfo chairs the very successful Farmworker Education Workshop annually, where over 250 vineyard workers receive free information and resources that help advance their careers.

Prior to her current position, Monica worked with Dr. Kent Daane at U.C. Berkeley and Kearny Field Station for 6 years, and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctor of Plant Medicine from the University of Florida. Cooper has conducted extensive research in California vineyards on Vine Mealybug, and brings a great deal of plant and pest control expertise to the Napa Valley grapegrowing community.

Dave Whitmer is the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. A Napa County native, Dave has worked with the County of Napa since 1981 and was first appointed Agricultural Commissioner by the Napa County Board of Supervisors in 1994 and Sealer of Weights and Measures in 1995. Dave served as President of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA) in 2000/2001 and currently serves on the CDFA Pierce’s Disease Advisory Task Force, CACASA Board of Directors, Chairs the CACASA Pesticide Regulatory Affairs Committee and is Vice Chair of the CACASA Legislation Committee.