OUR TEAM
Our team is made up of the true scribes of the Handwritten narrative; each brings a rich and unmistakable character to our human terroir. We believe our production team at Handwritten is the best in the Napa Valley. Led by Rob Lloyd, these are the artisans who craft our story and give it life everyday: Winemaker Bernardo Munoz-Alvarez, Cellar Master Zack Scott, and Cellar Crew Victor Barboza, Jim Nichols and Holiday Rider.
Tasting Room Manager Bill Miller, along with our knowledgeable and welcoming educators are here to provide exceptional experiences. At every level, from guiding you through accessing our allocated wines, to intimate tastings, to acting as your personal concierge when visiting the Napa Valley, we’re at your service.
JAY ARANDA
Dedicated Wine Liaison
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Vallejo, California
About: Jay cherishes the love of his large extended family and appreciates the priceless blessing of a tight-knit circle of friends. Having sailed the West Indies, traveled across Europe – ending with a two-year residence in Valencia Spain – he now enjoys the simple pleasures of basking in the warm California sun, sipping wine and being fully engrossed in a good book. Jay strives to live a life of “Service, Purpose, Meaning and Impact.” His motto: “Collect Moments Not Things.”
FREDERICK BOELEN
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Honfleur, France
About: Frederick grew up in France, studied in the UK and Spain (where he met his Georgia Peach). After working several years in his own family businesses in hospitality & wine, he decided to move to the US and continue his family’s long tradition in the wine industry with Jessup Cellars and Handwritten Wines! He’s passionate about wine, fly fishing, food and kitesurfing.
BAILEY DOWNING
VP of Member & Guest Services
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Napa, California
About: Bailey is a graduate of Southern Oregon University where she played softball and is now happily “retired” from the sport. Her best vacation was a cruise to Mexico with three of her best friends. The “Burger from Hell” at the Coyote Bluff Café in Amarillo, TX is her most memorable culinary experience.
Mary kate fitzpatrick
Wine Ambassador
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey
At heart an adventurer, Mary Kate has lived abroad for much of her adult life. Having moved to Spain at just 16, she fell in love with the way that travel can open both your mind and your world. While she considers Spain the home of her heart, she has also had fantastic experiences living in Thailand, France, Portugal, and Greece.
Her love of culture naturally led her to the world of wine, as she witnessed in her travels how beautifully people commune over a bottle, and how sharing a glass of wine is truly always an opportunity for connection.
Mary Kate has her Bachelor’s in International Relations, and her Master’s in Wine Tourism. In her free time, she is a huge literature nerd and loves to read and write. She also enjoys solo backpacking, playing her guitar, sewing, and exploring craft breweries.
mike Lutz
Dedicated Wine Liaison
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Colusa, California
About: Mike has spent his entire career in hospitality. For 7 years he worked for some of the top private country clubs in both Scottsdale Arizona and Couer de’ Alene Idaho. It was those clubs where he discovered his passion for wine. For the past 8 years he has worked for a couple of wineries, but truly believes he has found his forever home. “The people here, from the members to the staff, are just amazing! I feel truly blessed to be a part of such an outstanding culture.” He and his wife reside in Sacramento where they both enjoy Sunday football days, and trying out new recipes together in the kitchen.
virenda mattson
Personal Wine Curator
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Napa, CA
Vi grew up in Napa and is proud to be 4th generation. Her grandfather worked for Beringer Brothers for 30 years before purchasing his own vineyard in Redwood Valley, which is where Vi grew up. Vi attended Cal State studying Cultural Anthropology and then made her way back to Napa Valley.
Her love for the wine and hospitality industry really took flight while working for a local business in Yountville.
Vi spends her time with her three lovely daughters, her Handwritten team members and enjoying wine (especially bubbles!).
Bernardo Munoz
Assistant Winemaker
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Campeche, Mexico
About: Bernardo began his career the vineyards, learning the intricacies of grape growing and how to adjust to the whims of Mother Nature. He then moved into the cellars at Jessup Cellars, bringing us his complete grape to bottle knowledge to the team. He has a keen understanding of what it takes to make a great bottle.
Amy oden
Master of First Impressions
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA
About: Amy grew up in a large family. Nightly dinners and holiday gatherings were always centered around a grand array of great food and wine. It was these moments that first sparked her life’s ambition to become the ultimate party host.
After chasing a degree in both business administration and culinary arts, Amy realized that both of these fields come together in the restaurant industry. Soon she was travelling and working around the globe. It was with through these experiences that Amy found herself in the Napa Valley working at a popular locals spot. After meeting many of the valley’s winery workers it became very clear to her that there was only one winery that she wanted to work with – The Good Life Wine Collective.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking, yoga, tennis and snowboarding along with the joy of supporting her son’s baseball and basketball dreams.
Adrienne Pares
Traveling Wine Educator
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Gulfport, Mississippi
Adrienne is a Southern Belle through and through, born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
She exudes hospitality in everything she does and has a vast background and broad knowledge in wine, sales, spirits, distribution and Southern charm.
Adrienne never meets a stranger and takes pride in building meaningful connections with all she meets in the tasting room and on the road.
Kimberly Skog
Dedicated Wine Liaison
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Santa Rosa, California
About: Kimberly brings over 20 years of dedicated wine experience & passion to the Good Life Wine Collective family. She loves anything to do with being outdoors – biking and hiking, boating and camping with her husband. Time with family is also incredibly important to Kimberly! She adores being a mother of two beautiful daughters and now she gets to enjoy her grandchildren.
Emily Wilkens
Member Liaison
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: Napa, California
About: Born and raised in Napa, Emily naturally made her way into the wine business and joined the Jessup Cellars and Handwritten family in January of 2017. She is passionate about raising her three kids and volunteering for their baseball, football and cheer teams – and cheering them on! She loves the outdoors and spending time on home projects here in beautiful Northern California.
EXECUTIVE WINEMAKER ROB LLOYD
Rob’s foray into wine started directly after graduating college when he came to Napa to work in a tasting room for the summer – before getting a ‘real job’. He became fascinated with wine and the science of winemaking, and began to learn everything he could about the process.
While interviewing for that “real job”, the interviewer asked him what he had been doing with his time since graduation. After speaking passionately and at length about wine, the interviewer said, “You seem to love that so much. Why do you want this job?” Rob realized he didn’t want it, actually. He thanked the man, and thus began a career in the wine industry.
“Rob’s goal is to craft rich, velvety wines that are accessible in their youth, yet have the structure to age for a very long time.” – Founders
Rob has since earned his MS in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California Davis and worked for many prestigious wineries including Cakebread, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and La Crema. Rob began crafting Handwritten Wines in the 2009 season and took the position of Director of Winemaking at Jessup Cellars in 2010. He now heads up our winemaking for the Good Life Wine Collective, which also includes Jessup Cellars.
Tastings
Handwritten tasting experiences are available 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm by appointment only.
Member Circle
Become a member of the Handwritten Member Circle for access to limited bottling and exclusive events.
Our Wines
It’s not just great fruit that makes great wine, it’s also the care and attention of every hand that touches it.