Tasting Panel
Taking place in the rustic outdoor winemaking space at Orsi Family Vineyards, Festa Italia kicks off with an exclusive VIP tasting panel. Hear from California’s top Italian wine experts, including sommeliers, wine judges, journalists, winemakers, and vintners, as they share their insights on growing, making, and selling Italian varietals in California. This unique, educational experience offers a rare opportunity to learn from experts in the industry. Access is limited and included with VIP ticket purchase. Don't miss out on this exciting event!
Panelist
Managing Editor, Wine Enthusiast
Stacy Briscoe is the Managing Editor of Wine Enthusiast magazine. She joined in 2022 after years of freelance writing for the publication. Previously, she was the managing editor for Wine Industry Network, assistant editor of Wine Business Monthly, and staff writer for Wines & Vines. Briscoe has written for SevenFifty Daily, Sonoma Magazine, and the SF Chronicle. She holds a WSET Diploma and teaches WSET courses. As a Master of Wine Stage 1 student, she will share her media and educational perspective on the emergence of more Italian grapes being farmed in California.
Moderator
Owner, Maison Healdsburg
Healdsburg native Ryan Knowles, a certified sommelier, began his career at Michelin-starred Madrona Manor at 16, studying wine and cheese. He later consulted for El Destilado in Oaxaca and helped open SingleThread, managing wine pairings and the cellar. His luxury restaurant experience and expertise in wine have earned him a strong reputation. Now, Ryan owns Maison Wine Bar in Healdsburg, a cult favorite among wine industry professionals. Passionate about pairing Italian wine and food, he will share his unique insights about California-grown Italian varieties in the dining scene.
Panelist
Owner, A16 & Tansy
Shelley Lindgren is the wine director and owner of San Francisco’s Italian restaurant A16. She has received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program, the 2023 Slow Wine Fair Award for Best Selection of Good, Clean, and Fair Italian Wine, and was knighted by the Italian government. Her third book, "Italian Wine: The History, Regions, and Grapes of an Iconic Wine Country," will be available in August 2023. Shelley’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, Punch, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She founded Tansy in 2021, inspired by Italian varietals. She has served on several boards and is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier.
Panelist
Founder & Winemaker, Massican
Dan Petroski, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, attended Columbia University, where he played football, and later earned his MBA from NYU. He began his career at Time, Inc., managing advertising clients and learning wine through Manhattan’s top restaurants. After nearly joining the Wall Street Journal, he interned in Sicily at Valle dell’Acate. In 2006, Dan moved to California for a harvest and was hired as a cellar master, becoming Larkmead's winemaker in 2012. In 2009, he launched Massican, a white wine brand inspired by his time in Italy. Dan was named San Francisco Chronicle’s Winemaker of the Year in 2017.
Panelist
Founder, Orsi Family Vineyards
Bernie Orsi has been a distinguished Sonoma County grape grower for nearly 35 years. In 1990, he purchased a cattle ranch near Healdsburg, now stewarding over 300 acres. While he sells most of his grapes to other vintners, a small quantity is dedicated to Orsi Family Vineyards, specializing in Italian varieties. His career includes executive roles at Western states breweries, including vice president of Pabst. Orsi’s journey in viticulture represents the culmination of his passion, leading to the creation of his family’s esteemed wine brand.
Moderator
Certified Sommelier
Christopher Sawyer is an internationally-renowned sommelier, wine educator, journalist, consultant, critic, and public speaker. He travels the world tracking wine trends and judging top competitions, and has been featured in USAToday, MSN, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Esquire. Known for his encyclopedic wine knowledge and global industry relationships, Sawyer has been a personal sommelier for luminaries like the Getty Family and John Lasseter. Celebrated for pairing wines with movies and music, he hosts exclusive tasting sessions in his Sonoma County farmhouse. Sawyer has received numerous awards, including Best Sommelier in Sonoma County from 2014-2023.
Panelist
Founder & Winemaker, Mora Estate
Fabiano Ramaci, winemaker and chef, has been surrounded by wine his entire life. His passion for wine and food began at his family’s iconic San Francisco restaurant, La Traviata. Fabiano's dream is to create wines that balance old world and new world styles while maintaining sophistication and elegance. He is proud to be the only winemaker in California producing wine in the Amarone tradition. Fabiano’s unique approach reflects his commitment to quality and his deep appreciation for the art of winemaking, blending heritage with innovation to create exceptional wines.
Panelist
Founder, UNTI Vineyards
Mick Unti co-founded Unti Vineyards Winery with his dad, George, in 1997, where he manages winemaking, sales, and marketing. Mick has worked in nearly all facets of the wine business, including retail, wholesale, and winery production since the mid-1980s. Passionate about Italian, French, Spanish, and German wines, Mick and his dad embrace growing less common grape varieties in California. Since 1998, they have been producing Italian varietal wines from their vineyards, including Sangiovese Grosso, Barbera, Vermentino, Montepulciano, Fiano, Aglianico, Falanghina, and Biancolella, continually learning to create authentic examples of these wines.
Address
2306 Magnolia Drive
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Phone
(707) 732-4660