For generations in California, families made their own wines,
sometimes tending small vineyards behind their homes or just checking on
a ceramic crock of fermenting juice hiding in a closet. It was a
tradition for everyone, from mom and dad, to the smallest children, to
be involved in everything from growing the grapes, to crushing and
bottling (or jug-ing, perhaps) these rustic wines. Today, many
small-production, boutique wineries continue that tradition in Napa.
Though technology has made the process easier, and many hire some of
the valley's most prestigious winemakers to help craft exceptional,
rather than rustic wines, the homegrown feeling is much the same.
Walking into tiny tasting rooms, often run by the family themselves, the
air is less of a corporate machine, and more of an extended living room
where visitors can casually sip a glass of wine while chatting with the
folks who know the wine from the inside, out.
Joy Kagele is responsible for advising on product development, sales
and marketing activities for domestic as well as international sales.
She has the experience of building the national sales and marketing
positions of some of the most high profile wineries in Napa Valley,
Stag's Leap Wine Cellar, Grgich Hills, Bouchaine Vineyards, Quail Ridge,
Liparita Cellars and Staglin Family Vineyards.
Joy is now enjoying the pleasure of assisting these high quality, small family owned vineyards with their brand building.