Serendipity is back at it again and taking our portfolio on a tour of Texas! Next week we’ll be hosting our Fall Playlist trade shows in San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas. At this year’s highly anticipated events, we are thrilled to showcase a distinguished lineup of MVPs in the wine industry. Among the key participants are celebrated winemakers, vineyard owners, and overall beverage titans. These tastings promise to not just be an unparalleled opportunity to discover some of the finest wines in the world, but meet the people behind the magic. Let’s take a moment to get to know some of our all-stars.
Molly Sheppard
Global Sales and Environmental Manager, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery
Spottswoode Winery is a cornerstone of Napa Valley winemaking, known for its historic legacy dating back to 1882 and its reputation for producing one of the region’s most elegant and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons. Its pioneering commitment to sustainability, including early adoption of organic farming and environmental initiatives, has set a standard for responsible viticulture. Led by a team of women, Spottswoode’s combination of innovation and environmental stewardship makes it one of the most respected and influential wineries in the region. And Molly Sheppard, formerly their assistant winemaker and now Spottswoode’s Global Sales and Environmental Manager, continues the tradition.
Born and raised in Victoria, Australia, Molly has been immersed in the world of wine for most of her life. She earned a degree in Agribusiness, Viticulture, and Enology and gained experience working in wineries across Victoria, Margaret River, and the Yarra Valley. Molly first visited Napa as an intern for the 2017 vintage and fell in love with its beauty and vibrant wine culture. After returning in 2018, she joined the Spottswoode winemaking team as a harvest intern, becoming a full-time member in 2019.
In addition to her passion for winemaking, Molly is deeply committed to environmental sustainability. She holds a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School Online and manages Spottswoode’s B Corp certification— a true rarity in the wine industry, only 100 wineries worldwide hold this rigorous, equity-focused certificate. Molly also spearheads Spottswoode’s other environmental initiatives, including tracking the winery’s greenhouse gas emissions through its IWCA membership. Be sure to try the 2021 Spottswoode Estate Cab with Molly, now celebrating its 40th vintage!
José Lovaglio Balbo
Overseeing Winemaker, Susana Balbo Collection
Fresh off of the shipping container, Serendipity was elated to add Susana Balbo Wines to our growing portfolio this month! Susana Balbo is Argentina’s first female winemaker, and a trailblazer in the industry with a career that spans over 40 years. She has been instrumental in elevating Argentine wines on the global stage and is not only credited with creating Argentina’s first premium versions of Torrontés, but elevating Malbec to its juicy, full potential. What’s more, the entire Balbo collection takes sustainability very seriously. Integrated pest management, water conservation in the vineyard, community development, and fair labor practices are just some of the applications that led them to international acclaim.
José Lovaglio Balbo is Susana’s son and a third-generation winemaker deeply rooted in the winemaking and grape-growing traditions of Mendoza. At 18, he ventured to the United States to study viticulture and enology at UC Davis in California. Returning to Mendoza in 2008, José joined the winemaking team at Susana Balbo Wines in 2011, working alongside his mother. Today, he leads the winery’s Research and Development Department and oversees winemaking, leading groundbreaking projects that continue to push the boundaries of Argentine wine. Make it a point to taste both the Susana Balbo Signature series and BenMarco wines with José, himself!
Nicole Carter
President of Roederer USA,
a division of Maison Marques and Domaines
With more than 20 years of global marketing, winemaking and viticulture, sales, public relations, and export experience, few can boast a story as dynamic or as deeply entrenched in the wine industry as Nicole Carter. Her career can only be described as tenacious, leaving virtually no part of wine business untouched. Early on, Nicole spent 10 years in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA working in the public affairs sector practicing lobbying and public relations on behalf of several beverage alcohol companies. From there she helmed luxury brands across Napa, Sonoma and Australia while becoming a leading expert on California appellation regions. In 2019 she was appointed President of Merry Edwards Winery, and in 2021 she broke ground when she became the first President of Roederer, USA. Today the umbrella company is comprised of five California wineries, each distinct in their oenological footprint, with a shared passion for crafting world-class wines.
Nicole will be bringing with her three powerhouse producers: Merry Edwards (women-led, award-winning gems from the Russian River Valley), Domaine Anderson (known for first-rate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley AVA), and Scharffenberger Cellars (singular sparkling wines that perfectly express Mendocino County). Taste the history with these iconic California wineries.
Clay Mauritson
Founder & Owner, Mauritson Family Winery
Clay Mauritson is the winemaker and owner of Mauritson Family Winery, located in Sonoma County, California. A sixth-generation member of the Mauritson family, which has been farming in the Dry Creek Valley since the 1860s, Clay initially pursued a career in college football before following his passion for winemaking. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he returned to the family business, where he worked to establish Mauritson Family Winery in 1998. Known for his deep connection to the land and a commitment to crafting exceptional wines, particularly from the unique Rockpile AVA, Clay has earned a reputation for producing bold, terroir-driven wines that reflect the family’s rich agricultural heritage.
Mauritson is another partner newer to the Serendipity book and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase wines that drink like a direct translation of where they’re grown. For those who have been curious about the Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile AVA’s, it doesn’t get any more succinct than Mauritson. Expect unparalleled expressions of Rockpile (they farm 85 of the 200 acres in the entire valley) and adjacent, equally intentionally crafted wines representing Dry Creek Valley. This producer is for true Cab, Zin, and Sauvignon Blanc lovers.
Chris Dearden
Owner & Winemaker, Dearden Wines
Serendipity’s relationship with Chris Dearden is ten-plus years strong and a testament to the dream of every grower turned winemaker. Not only is he the expert behind Napa’s Dearden wines, but he is also CEO of Sonoma’s Robert Biale Vineyards (which, not coincidentally, will be poured at our Fall Playlist shows).
Chris Dearden’s journey into wine began like it does for many—around the dinner table with family and friends. Growing up in an agricultural town in California’s Central Valley, he developed an early appreciation for the connection between sustainable land stewardship and the quality of what it produces. This deep-rooted value has guided him throughout his career.
Chris pursued his passion academically at UC Davis, where he crafted his own major in Viticulture, Enology, and Winery Operations. Over the years, he has worn many hats in the wine industry, progressing from winemaker to winemaker and general manager, then to consulting winemaker, and finally achieving his lifelong dream of owning his own vineyard and winery. His goal is to collaborate with vineyards and growers who share his vision: to care for the land in a way that maximizes quality and expresses the unique terroir, while fostering long-term, meaningful relationships between grower and winemaker. He is, through unmatched experience and overall know-how, redefining what it means to be a California classic in the world of wine. Don’t sleep on the Sleeping Giant portion of his wines— they are some of our staff favorites.
It’s clear that we’re in uncommonly good company with these upcoming trade shows. As we prepare our palates to taste nearly 100 exceptional wines, all that’s left to do is RSVP! We can’t wait to connect you with this incredible lineup of wine MVP’s…