Appointed Officers

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Karen Cakebread | ZIATA Wines
President of the Board
Karen Cakebread is the founder of ZIATA Wines, a small-production Napa Valley label she established in 2008, guided by her belief that exceptional wines begin in the vineyard. Karen named ZIATA in honor of her mother, the inspiration behind her work. She began her wine career in 1988, marketing Cakebread Cellars wines worldwide and championing the Napa Valley brand on a global stage.
​A steadfast believer in Napa Valley’s agricultural heart, she is deeply connected to the land and its people. Karen serves on industry boards and advocates for the Valley’s land, communities, and agricultural legacy, extending her work well beyond the winery. She remains hands-on with her Sauvignon Blanc vines at her Calistoga home, often accompanied by her Labrador, Luna.

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Justin Leigon | Piña Vineyard Management
Vice President of the Board
Justin Leigon became a partner at Piña Vineyard Management in 2022 after serving as Head Viticulturist, a natural fit for the husband and father of three within the family-founded company. He oversees all facets of high-end winegrape farming and vineyard development, drawing on a career that began in wine production and a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. After time abroad in Australia and cellar work throughout Napa Valley, Justin refined a style centered on minimal inputs and precise grape development. He remains committed to community outreach and advocating for agricultural education.

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Tyler Flowers | American AgCredit
Treasurer of the Board
Raised on a family farm, Tyler Flowers’ passion for agriculture led him to a lifelong dedication to the industry by studying agricultural economics at Mississippi State University and embarking on a career in the Farm Credit System.  Through American AgCredit, Tyler is honored to serve the viticulturists and vintners across Northern California by creating value through long-term partnerships. Tyler lives on a ranch where his family grows Pinot and Chardonnay and keeps a small herd of Belted Galloway cattle. When the chores are finished, Tyler enjoys cooking with his wife and exploring the outdoors with his children.

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Mark Pulido | Pulido~Walker
Secretary of the Board
Mark Pulido, an advisor, investor, and philanthropist, brings deep experience as a CEO and board member of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations to the NVG. Before moving permanently to the Napa Valley and starting Pulido~Walker with his wife Donna Walker, Mark led several of the most prominent healthcare and technology companies in the world. He has a long history in the Napa Valley, building relationships and putting down roots in the community. Pulido~Walker's Mt. Veeder Estate is a testament to the family’s long-term commitment to Napa Valley and the addition of the Policy Estate in Yountville extends their view toward the future. Mark’s ardent determination to craft extraordinary wines authentic to the unique terroir is demonstrated by the wines made by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown from three exceptional Napa Valley estate vineyards.  

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Board of Directors

​Meaghan Becker | In Vino Veritas
Meaghan Qian-Fu Becker is a wine business executive based in Napa, California. Meaghan began her career in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and eventually moved to San Francisco for a Strategy role in Silicon Valley after receiving her MBA at Harvard Business School..

Garrett Buckland | Premiere Viticultural Services
Garrett Buckland grew up raising cattle and tending vineyards in Napa Valley through his family’s business, Buckland Vineyard Management. After earning his B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis, he worked with Steve Matthiasson before launching Premiere Viticulture, a Napa-based vineyard consulting firm. Garrett is a former consulting winemaker overseeing more than 15,000 cases of ultra-premium wines and has served as President of the Napa Viticultural Technical Group and Conference Chair for the Association of Applied IPM Ecologists.

Cathy Corison | Corison Winery
Cathy Corison’s winemaking career began nearly 50 years ago with a serendipitous wine appreciation course at Pomona College. After moving to Napa Valley, she earned her master’s in Enology at UC Davis and gained experience at Freemark Abbey, Yverdon, and Chappellet. She later founded Corison Winery, the small family farm she runs with her husband, William Martin. For more than three decades, they’ve crafted Cabernet Sauvignon celebrated worldwide for its power, elegance, and remarkable consistency.

Maya Dalla Valle | Dalle Valle Vineyards
Maya Dalla Valle is the Winemaker at her family's acclaimed Oakville estate, Dalla Valle Vineyards. Born and raised on the property, Maya represents the next generation of Napa Valley winegrowing, carrying forward her family's legacy of crafting world-class Cabernet Sauvignon while championing innovation and sustainability in the vineyard.

Tom Davies | V. Sattui
Tom Davies’ love for wine began in college, where he regularly hosted wine dinners with friends. After earning his Business Management degree from Chico State in 1979, he moved to Napa Valley with such determination that he lived in a tent while searching for work. His enthusiasm caught the attention of Dario Sattui, who hired him in 1980 at $5 an hour, making Tom one of V. Sattui Winery’s first ten employees. His business acumen and deep industry knowledge led him to his current role as President and Managing Partner. Tom also served as co-chair of NVG’s Harvest STOMP fundraiser in 2015.

Suzanne Groth | Groth Vineyards & Winery
Suzanne Groth earned her Bachelor of Arts in art history from Lewis & Clark College, but her connection to the wine world began much earlier through summers spent helping at her family’s winery in St. Helena. After four years selling fine wine with the Henry Wine Group, she returned to Groth Vineyards in 1998, working across sales, marketing, and public relations. Suzanne became President and CEO in 2017, guiding the family estate forward. Outside of work, she pursues her passion for painting, often drawing inspiration from the vineyards and landscapes of Oakville.

Dan Petroski | Massican Wines
After studying at Columbia University, Dan began his career at Time, Inc., earning his MBA from NYU and rising quickly in magazine publishing. His interest in wine grew over business dinners in Manhattan, and when the Wall Street Journal attempted to recruit him, he chose instead to reset his life with a winemaking internship in Sicily. Planning to return to New York to sell wine, he was instead drawn west by a 2006 harvest invitation from Andy Smith at DuMOL. Dan joined Larkmead soon after, becoming Cellar Master, then Assistant Winemaker, and ultimately Winemaker in 2012. Known for his instinctual approach and old-world palate, Dan has built a winemaking style grounded in balance and tradition.

Heather Phillips | Vine Hill Ranch
Heather Phillips serves as Partner at Vine Hill Ranch, the distinguished Oakville AVA estate that has been in the Phillips family for three generations. Rooted in a lineage of viticulture that dates to the late 19th century, Vine Hill Ranch sits on 600 acres (70 planted to Cabernet Sauvignon) and has long been revered as a grower's vineyard supplying Napa's elite producers.

Oscar Renteria | Renteria Vineyard Management
Oscar joined Renteria in 1989 after graduating from St. Mary’s College. In 1993 Oscar assumed proprietorship of Renteria and began to work closely with the distinguished group of clients his father Salvador had cultivated for so many years. In 1995 Oscar was named President, and in the ensuing years he progressively grew Renteria into one of the largest vineyard management companies in the North Bay area. 

Alan Viader | Viader Vineyards & Winery
Alan Viader serves as Owner, Winemaker & Director of Vineyard Operations at Viader Vineyards & Winery, perched on the steep, rocky slopes of the newly christened Crystal Springs Appellation in Napa Valley. A third-generation viticulturalist, Alan has devoted his life to preserving his family's legacy, elevating site-specific winemaking, and championing sustainable vineyard practices.

Nate Weis | Beaulieu Vineyard
Nate Weis serves as General Manager and Senior Winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, where he oversees estate operations and winemaking for one of Napa Valley's most historic and influential winegrowing institutions. A Napa Valley native and son of a winemaker, Nate was raised in the vineyards and cellar, developing an early respect for the craft and discipline of winegrowing.

Dave Whitmer 
Napa native, Dave Whitmer retired from the County of Napa in 2013 after 33 years of service - the last 20 years as the Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. Dave attended Napa schools including Napa High School and Napa Valley College where he received his Associate of Arts degree before transferring to CSU Long Beach and eventually CSU Chico, graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences. In retirement, Dave is spending quality time with Loie, his wife of 42 years and doing some traveling, both domestic and international. He is passionate about working to make a difference in our community and in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation.

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