I have always felt part of the Pali family, long before I formally joined in 2023. My connection to Pali began more than a decade ago when Nick and I first met in college. At the time, I knew nothing about wine. It was not something I actively pursued; it found me through Nick and his family.

From the start, their generous passion for wine welcomed me in. There was no snobbery or pretense, just an honest love for wine and a willingness to answer my most basic questions. I still remember Tim advising me that tasting wine was not about using the right words; it was about asking yourself if you liked it and why. That sincere approach made a lasting impression and continues to inspire my vision for Pali.

Over the years, I have watched Pali grow in size, reach, and meaning. What has always drawn me in is that Pali never chases trends or flash. Instead, it remains true to making honest wines with care for the land, a respect for the craft, and an open door for anyone who wants to join. As someone who came to wine from the outside, that lack of pretense meant everything to me. I want every guest who visits our tasting rooms to experience the same sense of welcome and discovery that I enjoyed from the very beginning.

Stepping into my role felt like a full-circle moment. My goal has been simple: create spaces that feel like an extension of home, champion sustainability and local partnerships not because they are trendy but because they build something genuine and enduring, and always put people first—our team, our growers, and every guest who shares a moment with us.

Helping to create Cellar Hand, our restaurant in San Diego, stands out as one of my proudest achievements. We built a place that reflects how we live and gather, rooted in local ingredients, casual yet thoughtful, with wine as an integral part of everyday life. Now, with the upcoming remodel of our Funk Zone tasting room, we are taking that same approach even further, creating a space for tasting, learning, connecting, and building community.

As we celebrate Pali’s 20th anniversary, I am most excited about deepening our roots, pursuing mindful growth, and continuing to open our doors wider. No matter how far we go, we will always keep the spirit that brought us together.

To me, Pali represents craft, community, and care, and I am grateful every day to help shape what comes next.