What are your top two concerns about your winery or industry?
My top two concerns are the rising operational costs for small wineries and the shifting consumer landscape. Each year it becomes more challenging to run a small winery— between increased utilities, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, the margins get tighter. At the same time, we’re seeing a shrinking pool of traditional wine consumers. Younger generations are leaning into a broader variety of alcoholic beverages or moving toward non-alcoholic options altogether. It’s more important than ever to keep wine relevant, and I deeply appreciate the work the Napa Valley Vintners is doing to promote wine and fresh ways of engaging with wine culture that can resonate with new audiences.
What one thing would you like to change at RD Winery?
If I could change one thing about RD Winery, it would be increasing our visibility. We have a beautiful space, a talented team, and wines that tell a meaningful story, but like many small wineries, breaking through the noise in a saturated market can be tough. I wish more people could experience what we’re building: a place where culture, community, and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do.
How does climate change impact your decisions?
Everyone in wine knows that great wine starts in the vineyard, and climate change is directly impacting how grapes are grown. The farmers we work with are facing increasingly unpredictable conditions: warmer seasons, irregular rainfall – sometimes too much, sometimes not enough – and that’s making it harder to farm consistently. These changes are shifting harvest dates, increasing costs, and even affecting what kinds of grapes can be grown successfully. While we’re not farming the land ourselves, the challenges the growers we work with face directly impact the wines we are able to make. Climate change isn’t a distant issue – it’s something our winemaking team and the farmers are navigating with every vintage.
Why or why isn’t diversity, equity and inclusion still relevant?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion will always be relevant, regardless of shifting narratives or trends. It’s essential that we continue to examine our intrinsic biases and reflect on how societal norms have shaped our views and behaviors. DEI isn’t just about who we hire, it’s about how we lead, how we make decisions, and how we respond to the world around us. Time and again, the business case for DEI has shown that diverse teams lead to stronger outcomes, more creativity, and better collaboration. Ignoring that means ignoring a key part of what drives innovation and connection.
We all benefit when we create workplaces where more people feel seen, valued, and heard. DEI also shows up in the products we create and the stories we tell. Representation matters – internally and externally – and when it’s done thoughtfully, it builds deeper trust and stronger relationships with the communities we aim to serve. It’s hard to imagine building a thoughtful, sustainable business without centering these values.
What was the hardest business decision you had to make?
It’s hard to point to a single business decision as the hardest because in a small winery, hard decisions are the norm. We’re constantly balancing limited cash flow, shifting consumer behaviors, and unpredictable external forces. We opened our tasting room during COVID and that was incredibly difficult, but so was just surviving COVID as a whole. The fires of 2020 were also devastating. We’ve had to pivot time and again – whether it’s adjusting to changing client needs or trying to operate a small-production brand in a large facility. The hardest part isn’t one decision, it’s the ongoing reality of needing to adapt quickly, make tough calls with imperfect information, and stay resilient in the face of uncertainty.
How is your job different from what you dreamed about as a kid?
I grew up on Long Island, and while there is a wine scene there, the idea of working in wine was never on my radar. Like a lot of kids, I went through the usual phases – thinking I might become a teacher, a lawyer, maybe a doctor – but the wine industry wasn’t even in the realm of possibilities. Even now, I’m regularly surprised that this is what I get to do. It’s not what I imagined, but it’s turned out to be an incredibly meaningful and unexpected path.
If you were to retire next month, what would you be doing?
If I were to retire next month, I’d be spending my days nurturing my creative soul – drawing, painting, crafting and just making things for the joy of it. I like finding hobbies. I’d also be spending more time with my family and my dog, and we’d probably be off on a lot more adventures together.