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  • Tristan Stevenson – Business Manager

    Tristan has a fascinating background growing up abroad in a number of African and Asian countries with parents who worked for NGOs. Add his intelligence, business aptitude, and friendly personality and we think we’ve struck gold having him on our team. A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, he studied economics and played on the soccer team, a passion he continues to pursue in local rec-leagues. Aside from soccer, Tristan’s hobbies include travel, eating (“love me some food!” are his exact words), and music…Indie Rap and Neo Soul top his playlists.

     

    Ryan Lamb – Warehouse Manager

    Ryan is a man of few words, so his job as Warehouse Manager suits him just fine. He loves his current role as Warehouse Manager, and says that the other employees have taken to calling him the “Tetris Guy.” “I need to get everything to fit in exactly the right place, especially during harvest, when there is less space to work with. “Harvest is the craziest time of year, Ryan admits, but it’s also one of the more exciting times of the year for him. “I like the energy here during harvest. It’s a busy time.”

    Kaileen Ryan – Wine Club Manager

    Kaileen is an avid wine lover and Melville fan, coming to us with experience in event planning, technology and hospitality. Not only has she been a Melville club member for many years, she also got engaged at our estateShe recently moved to the area from Orange County and lives with her husband Chris and two beautiful Golden Retrievers, Braxton (named after an Ohio State QB) and Beca (named after the main character in the Pitch Perfect movies), a perfect segue into some of her hobbiesOhio State Football and musicals. We love the verve, hospitality, and passion Kaileen brings to her role here and couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on the team.

    Nicole Nellis, Tasting Room & Events Manager, Estate Winery

    Nicole’s love of wine began at a young age with her grandad pouring glasses of wine for her to smell, leading to deep conversations about the notes and varietals. Years later, he would share a sip or two and the conversations would grow. Flash forward and Nicole would delve into hospitality and restaurant management, working in 5-star resorts such as the Ojai Valley Inn and Four Season’s Lana’i, becoming exposed to many high-end wines from around the world. She fell in love with Melville wines on her first visit to the Sta. Rita Hills in 2019 and quickly joined the wine club. That fall she spent two full days assisting with harvest and hasn’t looked back since! In her free time, she likes to hang with her family, garden, snuggle with her dogs, and enjoy music shows.

     

    Julie Engstrom – Creative Marketing Manager

    Julie comes to Melville with experience in writing, marketing, sales and a love for wine and “farmy” environments. A graduate from the same alma mater as Chad (USC) and an equally enthusiastic fan of the Grateful Dead, Julie is the behind-the-scenes maven of our email marketing, social media and promotional fun. She has a daughter currently in college, two beautiful huskies Stella and Jed (could those be from songs we know?) and lives part time by the beach and part time in wine-country. She loves sharing the story of Melville and capturing the beauty of our land…

    Becky Rudar – Tasting Room Lead, Santa Barbara Tasting Lounge

    Becky grew up in a small town in the Midwest. At age 20, she decided to travel the country for several years, experiencing different states and lifestyles. Her passion for wine first sparked when she was managing a fine dining restaurant in Arizona. “The restaurant had two incredible wine cellars filled with an assortment of vino from all over the world. It not only helped my palate evolve, but also triggered a passion to learn.” She moved to California and submerged herself in the wine world. It was just a twist of fate that she fell into the Melville brand and the best thing that could have happened. She now lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and runs Melville’s tasting room on State Street.

    Valerie Wood – Tasting Room Lead, Estate Winery

    Valerie has been at Melville for over a decade. “Basically, I was asked to fill in for someone who was going on an extended holiday for 3 months. Three months turned into 12 years.” “I can vividly remember my first day: I was asked to listen and observe, but it was a Saturday and we got really busy, so I just kind of jumped in, and that was it, I loved it.” “Melville is a special place – good wine, good energy, good people.” In her spare time, Valerie enjoys camping, volunteering at a local animal shelter and eventually hopes to visit all of our national parks.