Summer sunset in Napa Valley vineyard

The Visit Napa Valley Blog

Women in Napa Valley Wine & Culinary

Trailblazers, trendsetters, mavericks, and masters – the women who have forged the rich tapestry of Napa Valley have brought bravado, grit, integrity, and tenacity to the wine and culinary industries. And, they have paved the way for the future generations of women, artfully leaving their notions…

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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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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 Restaurant 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…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Joshua Mendoza Widaman

Joshua's passion for wine brought him to the Napa Valley and cemented his career choice as estate winemaker at Pine Ridge Vineyards. Learn more about his journey and why he chose to live and work in the Napa Valley below. Name: Joshua David Mendoza Widaman Job: Estate Winemaker at Pine Ridge…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Nicol Turner

Visit Napa Valley is proud to celebrate the diversity of our tourism business community. In this installment of our Pride series, meet Nicol Turner, Founder and Owner of Little Blue Box Weddings. We sat down with Nicol to find out what inspired her to live and work in Napa Valley, her favorite…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Kelly Carter

Visit Napa Valley is proud to celebrate the diversity of our tourism business community. In this installment of our Pride series, meet Kelly E. Carter, Director of Communications at Alpha Omega Winery and Alpha Omega Collective. We sat down with Kelly to find out what inspired her to live and work…

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People of Napa Valley: Meet Dan Johnson of Okapi Wines

Visit Napa Valley is proud to celebrate the diversity of our business community. In this installment of our Pride series, meet Dan Johnson, founder and owner of Napa Valley's Okapi Wines, a micro-boutique winery that produces just a few barrels of wine each year. We sat down with Dan to find out how…

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