Where are they now?

The Texas wine industry is chock full of opportunities for wine professionals across the board. This, as with any career, means folks will be moving around within the industry to find themselves, and to follow new job paths and opportunities. At Texas Wine Lover, we recognized the need to keep a page for our readers to keep up with the action, so to speak. This is a page in which you can click once to have access to a list of wine professionals who recently have changed job functions, or who have moved to a different winery or venue. This list will not include everyone in the Texas wine industry, of course, but we will include some known names and faces for the sake of keeping up with some people as they pursue different avenues of success

Updated: September 8, 2019

(Listed alphabetically)

Joseph Bagnasco: Was working for Solaro Estate in Houston and Pedernales Cellars. He is now with Valley Mills Vineyards including being the winemaker.

Chris Black (Tasting room manager): Was the tasting room manager at Hye Meadow Winery; he is now giving tours for Cellar Rat Wine Tours.

Bill Burns (Sommelier): Was a sommelier at Pedernales Cellars, then Inwood Estates Vineyards – Fredericksburg and Barons Creek Vineyards; he is now working for Total Wine & More.

Mike Igo (GM/Tasting room manager/Winery): Was the tasting room manager at Pedernales Cellars, then worked at Messina Hof Hill Country; was at Barons Creek Vineyards, left, and is now back with Barons Creek.

Jeff Ivy (Winemaker): Was the winemaker at Hye Meadow Winery, then Compass Rose Cellars, assistant winemaker at Pedernales Cellars, and is now in California.

Matt Jaksik (Vineyard/Winery): Was with William Chris Vineyards and Wedding Oak Winery; he is now working out of state.

Donna Rene Johnston (Tasting Guide): Was with Bending Branch Winery, then Hye Meadow Winery, and is now leading the Fredericksburg Wine Walk, the Comfort Wine Walk, and is working Sundays at Lost Draw Cellars.

Vinny Lupo (GM/Tasting room manager): Was the tasting room manager at Hilmy Cellars, and GM at Inwood Estates Vineyareds – Fredericksburg and then with Longhorn Cellars.

Robert Nida (Winemaker): Was the winemaker for Compass Rose Cellars, assistant winemaker at Kuhlman Cellars,  Vintner’s Vault, Andreucci Wines; he is now the winery owner and winemaker at Pebble Rock Cellars.

Jordan Osborne: Was a tasting guide at 4.0 Cellars and worked at Hilmy Cellars. He is now at Lost Draw Cellars.

Rob Reynolds: Was the wine club manager at Lewis Wines; he was at 4.0 Cellars and is now at Adega Vinho.

Nathan Stevens (Tasting Guide/Chef): Was working for Pedernales Cellars and is now at Kuhlman Cellars.

Karen (KK) Taylor: Was the tasting room manager for Fiesta Winery Main Street and Fiesta Winery 290. She owned and managed her B&B, The Lazy T, but has now retired.

Jeremy Wilson: Was with Texas Wine Lover and Kuhlman Cellars. He was with Perissos Vineyard and Winery, Westcave Cellars Winery & Brewery, and now is at Adega Vinho.