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Team J 2025

MEET OUR TEAM

There’s a lot to look forward to this year, including new pairing menus, exciting wine releases and
special events — and this is the immensely talented, industrious team that makes it happen.



WINEMAKING

Our winemaking team brings decades of experience and dedication to the art and science of crafting dynamic, award-winning wines. Click through to see more of the team.

NICOLE HITCHCOCK

ESTATE DIRECTOR

Growing up in the Central Coast, wine was ever-present for Nicole Hitchcock, both at work and at home. After gaining experience at several wineries, Nicole became head winemaker at J in 2015. Drawn to the winery because of its focus on food and wine as well as the importance it places on terroir, Nicole was made Estate Director in 2024.

In 2022, Nicole was named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. Her love of learning and forward-thinking approach to leadership, winemaking and supporting community is at the heart of everything we do at J.

LAURA FONTAINE

SENIOR WINEMAKER

Born near the picturesque Malbec vineyards of Cahors in southwestern France, Laura Fontaine grew up surrounded by wine. Initially nonchalant toward the industry, she eventually found herself charmed by wine’s unique blend of creativity, dedication, science, personality and environment.

After earning degrees in both winemaking and agronomy at the University of Bordeaux, she moved to California to complete her dual master’s degrees at the University of California at Davis. She went on to make sparkling and varietal wine in Napa, Australia and Argentina. Laura joined J in June 2024 as Senior Winemaker, overseeing all aspects of winemaking while working closely with Estate Director Nicole Hitchcock.

J Vineyards & Winery Senior Winemaker

BECCA DEL SOLAR

ASSOCIATE WINEMAKER

Born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Becca’s passion for culinary sciences was ignited after earning a B.S. and M.S. that focused on Food Science. Although Becca started her career in the dairy industry, producing cheese in Utah and Wisconsin, her zeal for winemaking led her to Sonoma County in 2019, where she worked as a winery Quality Manager in Dry Creek Valley before transitioning to J in the Russian River Valley in 2021.

Outside of the winery, Becca is an avid traveler who loves to explore new places and cultures, seeking out the best wines and cuisines from around the globe. She loves how a delicious meal and a great bottle of wine has the power to bring people together.

J Vineyards & Winery Associate Winemaker

CULINARY

From fresh pairings at the Bubble Room to special event hors d’oeuvres and inspired collaborations, our culinary team are masters of creating the perfect bite. Click through to see more of the team.

AARON MENEGHELLI

EXECUTIVE CHEF

A Napa Valley native, Chef Aaron brings an inherent understanding of California seasonality, local ingredients and a wealth of wine county knowledge and expertise to the Bubble Room. Using J wines as the basis for each menu, Chef Aaron builds textures and flavors within dishes that showcase the nuances and structure of each wine pairing.

Before joining the J team, he was also Executive Chef at Carneros Resort and Spa. There, he rose to Director of Food & Beverage for the estate’s three restaurants, FARM at Carneros, Boon Fly Café and the Hilltop Dining Room, and oversaw the resort’s culinary gardens.

J Vineyards & Winery Executive Chef

Forest Kellog

ESTATE CHEF

Chef Forest is an expert in the unique biodiversity of Sonoma County’s agriculture and wine regions. Born and raised in western Sonoma County, Chef Forest spent much of his childhood living and working on his family’s sustainable farm.

Throughout his career, Chef Forest has worked at acclaimed restaurants across the country, most recently at Chalkboard in Healdsburg, California. Chef Forest has experience at the Timber Cove Resort, the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens in Sonoma County, and Cooks & Soldiers and Miller Union in Atlanta, Georgia.

J Vineyards & Winery Estate Chef Forest Kellog

Ramiro Leon Ramirez

SOUS Chef CHEF

With more than two decades of culinary experience across a wide variety of cuisines and kitchens, Ramiro brings a unique culinary perspective to his role as Sous Chef at J. A native of Acambaro in the state of Guanajuato in Central Mexico, Ramiro moved to Healdsburg, California, at the age of 11. In addition to culinary coursework in Guanajuato and Santa Rosa Junior College, his culinary expertise was formed through working in several of Sonoma County’s top restaurants and winery pairing programs.

He was excited to join J in 2021 and, even decades into his career, continue advancing his knowledge. “Our food and wine pairing program at J is, I believe, one of the most exciting and fun menus to work with in wine country.”

J Vineyards & Winery Sous Chef Ramiro Leon Ramirez

TASTING ROOM

A warm welcome is guaranteed with every visit to the J Tasting Room, driven by our team of knowledgeable hospitality experts. Click through to see more of the team.

ALEXANDRA SHEEDY

MANAGER

Alex started her journey in the wine industry 12 years ago when she moved from her hometown in Arizona to California. Having worked in almost all positions on the business side of wine — including sales, sales training, trade hospitality, and winery corporate events — she brings intrinsic industry knowledge and elevated hospitality to the J Tasting Room.

Outside of the winery, Alex is kept on her toes by her rambunctious 15-month-old daughter, Lucy. In her downtime, she can be found with a good book and a glass of her favorite J wine.

J Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room Manager

Samantha Simpson

Asst. Manager

A 6th generation Sonoma County native, Samantha has long-held ties to J. In fact, her parents were married on the J Winery property when it was known as Piper Sonoma. She’s been working in the wine industry for over a decade and has previously held roles at Louis M. Martini and Orin Swift.

Samantha holds an International Business Degree from the American Business School of Paris, and when she’s not in the Tasting Room, she spends her time hiking, traveling, or enjoying a good book with her cat, Emmy, by her side.

J Vineyards & Winery Assistant Tasting Room Manager Samantha Simpson

CLUB J

Every quarterly shipment, exclusive Club J event, and membership benefit are thoughtfully curated and supported by this attentive team. Click through to see more of the team.

ALEXANDRA KIRKER

Assoc. Manager Consumer Experience

Born and raised in Castro Valley, California, Alex moved to Sonoma County in 2011 to attend Sonoma State University where she majored in Business Management . After completing the Pastry Program at Santa Rosa Junior College, her love of food and hospitality led her to several positions in the restaurant and catering industries.

She began her journey at J Vineyards & Winery in 2017 in the Tasting Room and has since been promoted to Club J manager in 2024. She’s excited to continue to build a longer table and continue to invite more people to join the J family.

J Vineyards & Winery Asoc. Manager Consumer Experience Alexandra Kirker

MONICA TORRES

Representative
Consumer Experience

A Stockton California native, Monica moved to Sonoma County in 2022 and joined the J Tasting Room shortly thereafter as a Hospitality Assistant. In 2024, she was promoted to Consumer Experience Representative for Club J, where she has thrived on building connections with Club J members.

When she’s not busy recommending her favorite wines (Brut Rosé and any Late Disgorged Brut) and assisting Club J members at the winery, you can find her spending time with her very sassy German Shepherd, Bella.

J Vineyards & Winery Representative
Consumer Experience Monica Torres

Jorge TORRES

Representative
Consumer Experience

Born and raised in Windsor, California,
Jorge graduated with a BS from Sonoma State University. He joined the J Tasting Room in 2025, where he has quickly excelled at creating
a welcoming space for all guests and Club J members.

As a lifelong local, Jorge loves to explore all that Sonoma County has to offer, seeking out new restaurants, wineries, bookstores, and coffee shops. When he’s not discovering new locales, he spends his down time reading, playing video games, and hitting the gym.

J Vineyards & Winery Representative
Consumer Experience Jorge Torres
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