New Officers and Board Directors Named as California Wine Enters a Pivotal Year
Gretchen Roddick, Hope Family Wines
June 16, 2026 (Sacramento, CA) — Gretchen Roddick, executive vice president of Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, was elected Wine Institute board chair for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the organization’s Annual Membership and Board of Directors Meeting in Napa, June 7-9, 2026.
Roddick assumes the role at an important time of transition for both Wine Institute and the broader California wine community. As wineries face significant market pressures, shifting consumer behavior, international trade challenges and an increasingly complex policy environment, Wine Institute is sharpening its focus on advocacy, member engagement and a stronger, more unified narrative for California wine.
Other officers elected were Ben Dollard of Treasury Wine Estates, first vice chair; Ed Matovcik of Constellation Brands, second vice chair; Christine Wente of Wente Vineyards, treasurer; and Jennifer Evans of The Wine Group, secretary. Steve J. Gross is president and CEO of Wine Institute.
Robin Baggett, managing partner of Alpha Omega Winery in St. Helena and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, is the outgoing chair and becomes an ex-officio board member.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Wine Institute chair and grateful for the leaders who have helped build, guide and strengthen this organization over many decades,” said Roddick. “This is a challenging moment for wine, but it is also a moment that calls for clarity, optimism and action. Wine Institute has an extraordinary role to play in bringing our industry together, strengthening our voice and helping shape what comes next for California wine.”
Roddick said a key focus of her chairmanship will be increasing member engagement, supporting member recruitment and helping modernize Wine Institute governance so the organization can remain nimble and effective in a rapidly changing environment.
“The year ahead will require engagement from our members at every level,” Roddick said. “We want more wineries at the table, more voices in the conversation and more opportunities for members to help shape the future of this organization. When members engage, they strengthen not only Wine Institute but the entire California wine community.”
Roddick brings deep operational experience, regional leadership and a long-standing commitment to California wine to the role. She joined Hope Family Wines in 1997 and today oversees company operations, including production, winemaking, finance, hospitality, sales and marketing. Over nearly three decades, she has worked side by side with owner-winemaker Austin Hope as the company grew from 1,000 cases annually to nearly 1 million cases, becoming one of Paso Robles’ most-recognized success stories. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Roddick majored in fruit science with a minor in agricultural business before beginning her wine career on the Central Coast.
“We are fortunate to have Gretchen stepping into this role at such an important time,” said Steve Gross, president and CEO of Wine Institute. “She brings energy, optimism and a clear understanding of the challenges facing our industry. Her focus on engagement, governance and member connection aligns directly with the work Wine Institute is doing to strengthen the organization and support California wineries through a period of significant change.”
Wine Institute 2026–2027 Board of Directors
Wine Institute’s membership also elected new district and at-large directors and their alternates.
2026-2027 At-Large Directors
AT-LARGE DIRECTORALTERNATERyan Bogle, Bogle Family Wine CollectionWarren Bogle, Bogle Family Wine CollectionCaroline Coleman Bailey, GALLOMaribel Delgado, GALLOAdam Copley, The Duckhorn PortfolioCatherine Sullivan Kelly, The Duckhorn PortfolioBen Dollard, Treasury Wine EstatesBen Duemler, Treasury Wine EstatesDebra Dommen, Treasury Wine EstatesJane Froyd, Treasury Wine EstatesMike Donich, The Wine GroupJeannie Bremer, The Wine GroupDom Engles, Bronco Wine CompanyDebbie Juergenson, Bronco Wine CompanyJennifer Evans, The Wine GroupKeith Bauman, The Wine GroupStephanie Gallo, GALLOEmmanuel Garibay, Bonterra Organic EstatesCourtney Taylor, Bonterra Organic EstatesRobert Hanson, The Duckhorn PortfolioCheryl Indelicato, Delicato Family WinesMark Merrion, Delicato Family WinesPeter Larson, Trinchero Family EstatesMario Trinchero, Trinchero Family EstatesMatt Locklin, JUSTIN Vineyards & WineryMolly Scott, JUSTIN Vineyards & WineryLawrence T. Lohr, J. Lohr Vineyards & WinesJeff Humphreys, J. Lohr Vineyards & WinesEd Matovcik, Constellation BrandsTiffanie De Liberty, Constellation BrandsGretchen McDade, Constellation BrandsSam Glaetzer, Constellation BrandsRobert Torkelson, Trinchero Family EstatesAnthony Torres, Trinchero Family EstatesMatthew Towers, O’Neill Vintners & DistillersBreck O’Neill, O’Neill Vintners & DistillersJolene Yee, Delicato Family WinesKen Minami, Delicato Family Wines
2026-2027 District Directors
DistrictDirectorAlternateNorthern:Kaj Ahlmann, Six Sigma WinerySonoma:Julie Pedroncelli St. John, Pedroncelli WineryKatie Wetzel Murphy, Alexander Valley VineyardsAlan Ramey, Ramey Wine CellarsTobin Ginter, Rodney Strong VineyardsNapa:Emma Swain, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & WineryHugh Davies, Schramsberg VineyardsMike Reynolds, HALL WinesKellie Duckhorn, Baldacci Family VineyardsKaren Fontanella, Fontanella Family WineryAnthony Truchard, Truchard VineyardsDarioush Khaledi, DarioushPam Starr, Crocker & StarrAlan Viader, VIADER Vineyards and WineryChristina Turley, Turley Wine CellarsSan Francisco Bay:Christine Wente, Wente Family VineyardsWilliam Cooper, Cooper-Garrod Estate VineyardsMonterey Bay:Scott Scheid, Scheid VineyardsCentral Coast:Gretchen Roddick, Hope Family WinesJustin Perino, Castoro CellarsMaeve Pesquera, O’Neill Vintners & DistillersBarry White, Ancient Peaks WinerySouthern:Stephen Kahle, Woof’n Rose WineryLinda McWilliams, San Pasqual WinerySierra:Joan Kautz, Ironstone VineyardsNorthern Interior:Marissa Lange, LangeTwins Family Vineyards and WinerySouthern Interior:Kyle Ray, ASV Wines
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. Its California Wine Export Program extends that mission globally, driving international market development on behalf of participating members.
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