Summer sunset in Napa Valley vineyard

The Visit Napa Valley Blog

Napa Valley Women in Wine

Women’s History Month is always a good time to reflect on trailblazing women who are making a difference in the wine industry and Napa Valley as a whole. The wine industry, historically and traditionally dominated by men, has welcomed women vintners in Napa Valley for over 130 years. In 1886…

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People of St. Helena: Meet Cynthia Ariosta

Name: Cynthia Ariosta Job: Managing Partner, Tra Vigne Pizzeria and Restaurant Hometown: Staten Island, NY Education: Bachelor's of Communications, Syracuse University 1993 Cynthia Ariosta, the managing partner at Tra Vigne Pizzeria and Restaurant, has over 30 years in the restaurant business. She…

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People of St. Helena: Meet Michelle Dondero

Name: Michelle Dondero Job: Brand and Communications Manager at Brasswood Estate Hometown: East Northport, New York Education: BA in Communications and Digital Media at Fordham University Q: Describe your path working in the tourism field. I never thought my path would lead me to the tourism…

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Calistoga's Resilient Workforce

Between the locals who grew up in the area and visitors who fell in love with Calistoga's rustic-yet-refined vibe and wanted to stay, it takes all types to keep Calistoga's tourism industry running and thriving. Derek Flegal, winemaker at Tamber Bey, grew up in Calistoga but took a circuitous path…

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People of Calistoga: Meet Tara Pelter

Name: Tara Pelter Title: Manager and Wine Buyer at the Calistoga Wine Stop Hometown: Calistoga, California Education: B.A. in Social Work, Sacramento State University Tara's father moved to Calistoga in the mid-80s to be surrounded by the wine and tourism industries. He did not have a job lined…

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People of Calistoga: Meet Jacey Ohlinger

Name: Jacey Ohlinger (she/her) Job: Tasting Room Lead, Tank Garage Winery Jacey Ohlinger, tasting room lead at Tank Garage Winery, pours an ever-changing lineup of wines in a retro Calistoga gas station. Learn more about Jacey, her journey and Tank Garage Winery in the spotlight piece below. Jacey…

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People of Calistoga: Meet Charles Buster Davis

Name: Charles "Buster" Davis Job: Owner of Buster's Southern BBQ Hometown: Ventura, California Education: Long Beach State Charles Buster Davis, owner of Buster's Southern BBQ, welcomes visitors to Napa Valley's Calistoga side – the perfect place to beef up on barbecue before setting out on a day of…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Cinthya Cisneros

Name: Cinthya Cisneros Job: Owner of La Cheve Bakery and Brews Hometown: Napa, CA Education: B.S in Chemistry, Secondary Teaching Credential Q: Describe your path working in the tourism field. My path in Napa Valley's tourism industry started shortly after I wrapped up my last year of teaching…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Chef Jammir Gray

Name: Jammir Gray Job: Executive Chef at Compline Hometown: Vallejo, CA Education: University of California, Davis 06’ /Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park 08’ Q: Describe your path to working in the tourism field. I knew I wanted to be a chef ever since I was in elementary school. I read a…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Adriana Regan

Adriana has been around the world once or twice and has worked with some of the most esteemed hospitality businesses around the nation. Yet, after all this time, and travel, she says there’s no place like California's premier wine country. Name: Adriana Regan Job: Managing Inn Keeper at the Poetry…

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