Board

Sadie Drury is a cowgirl and plant enthusiast turned winegrower. She oversees a management company farming six vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA. Sadie is passionately committed to growing the best possible wine grapes in a sustainable way taking care of the land and people who farm it.

• Hometown: Walla Walla, WA.
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Bartender! I met a lot of my favorite people in the wine industry working at a bar in Walla Walla.
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: Native plants. They’re so important to the land and many people aren’t aware of them.
• Favorite Party Trick: I like to crochet hats at parties and give them away to inquiring people. This is an introvert party trick.

Lacey Lybecker, along with husband Charlie, own and operate Cairdeas Winery on the north shore of beautiful Lake Chelan just outside of Manson, WA. Specializing in Rhône Inspired Wines, the couple produces 5,000 cases of wine annually. They also have two sons (ages 9 and 7), two rescue dogs, two aquatic turtles and seven chickens to tend to. Previously, Lacey held marketing management roles in the fields of nonprofit, events and hospitality.

• Hometown: Red Lake Falls, MN.
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Event Marketing for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It’s also how I met my husband, he was working for a radio station that hosted a fundraiser for St. Jude.
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: Coffee! 16oz Americano with Oat Milk; hot but sometimes iced.
• Favorite Thing to Pair With #WAwine: Spaghetti & Clams or Risotto.

Ryan Pennington is Senior Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, where his responsibilities include corporate communications, government affairs, community relations, and charitable giving. Ryan also serves on the boards of the Washington Wine Institute, the public policy arm of the Washington wine industry, as well as WineAmerica, the national association of American wineries. Ryan also serves on the board of trustees for the Washington State Historical Society.

• Hometown: Lake Stevens, WA
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: Good coffee, good beer, or good bourbon
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: I’ve recently rekindled a long-simmering golf addiction
• Favorite #WAWine Variety: The one in my glass

Tom Dugan is CEO of DeLille Cellars, the third oldest winery in Woodinville and pioneer of Bordeaux-style blends. Tom joined DeLille in 2014 as GM after consulting in the wine space in California and Oregon. Originally from Ohio, Tom started his career in finance in London and New York. Tom also serves on the Washington Wine Institute and Washington National Park Fund boards. He loves the outdoors and lives in Seattle with his wife, son, and dog.

• Previous Profession that You Are Proud of: Founder of Harlem Lacrosse, a national non-profit supporting youth from underserved communities through lacrosse instruction and academic intervention.
• How Your Pet/Kids/Friends Would Describe You: Serious until you get to know me.
• Favorite Party Trick: Always bringing good wine and bad dad jokes.
• Share an Additional Fun Fact we Might not have Asked About: I’m a triplet!

Shylah Alfonso is the co-owner of Pomum Cellars and Idilico Wines.  She is also a partner at Perkins Coie, LLP specializing in competition law.

• Hometown: Portland, OR.
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Reality TV.
• Favorite Party Trick: Not sure this qualifies, but I LOVE karaoke.
• Share an Additional Fun Fact we Might not have Asked About: I did not drink any alcohol until a backpacking trip through Europe after graduating from college. With a shoestring budget, a Spanish boyfriend, and wine being less expensive than water, my introduction to wine began!

Originally from the Bay Area, John came to the PNW to attend the University of Washington where he received his BA in Political Science. While attending UW, he participated in his first “crush” in 1986. From 2000 to present, John has experienced all aspect of winery operations. He began his career in the cellar, moved into the front office and compliance, managed DTC sales, oversaw domestic and international distribution, as well as the over-all business and financial management of winery and vineyard operations.  He is an avid golfer and food and travel enthusiast.

• Favorite Drink other than Wine: Manhattan made with Bulleit Rye (60%) and Carpano Antica Vermouth (40%) and Angostura bitters. Lightly drizzle ½ teaspoon of Tillen Farm Bada Bing cherry juice along the side of the chilled glass and pour from shaker.
• Hometown: Oakland, CA
• Share An Additional Fun Fact We Might not have Asked About: During college, I took a bus after school to downtown Seattle to “cold-call” from the white pages for a stockbroker at Smith Barney, was a driving instructor for Kirshner Driving School in the summer months, and made photocopies for students at the UW copy center on weekends.

[Bio to come!]

Dick Boushey been farming wine grapes in the Yakima Valley for over 40 years. He and his wife Luanne own Boushey Vineyards, they grow wine grapes and juice grapes in the Grandview area, and manage vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA. Dick has been the recipient of several distinguished industry awards; the “Walter Clore Award” from the Washington State Grape Society, “Grower of the Year” Eric Hanson memorial award from the Washington Assoc. of Wine Grape Growers, “Honorary Grower Chair” for Children’s Hospital Auction of Washington Wines, “Industry Service Award” from the wine grape growers.

• Hometown: Deadwood, SD
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Zombie and Vampire movies.
• How Your Pet/Kids/Friends Would Describe You: A food and wine provider; my life is pretty much paired with #WAwine.
• Share an Additional Fun Fact We Might not have Asked About: I never met a wine I didn’t drink.

[Bio to come!]

Todd is a father of five and fourth generation Yakima Valley farmer whose diverse family farm grows not only wine grapes and concords, but many different varieties of tree fruit as well. After receiving a BA at Whitman College in 1995, he immediately started working full time on the farm. He’s served on numerous wine industry boards and committees, chaired the Winegrowers Association and the Winegrape Growers of America, and co-authored (with Joan Davenport) the Snipes Mountain AVA petition. He also lobbied in Washington DC on behalf of the industry for six years.

• Hometown: Grandview and Sunnyside, WA
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: A cold and hoppy IPA
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: Rock and roll. I’m an old soul.  As with vines, it’s all about the roots!
• Favorite #WAWine Variety: Grenache. Fun and challenging to grow, pairs well with a plethora of foods and is great in red form or as a Rosé!

Ryan is the Vice President and General Manager of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of WA. He and his team of 400 employees are responsible for the sales execution and programming of their vast portfolio of wine of spirits across Washington. Ryan has been in the wine and spirits industry for 25 years and has worked on both the supplier and distributor sides of the business.

• Hometown: Hillsboro, OR.
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: This is the only profession I have ever had!  Started with the Gallo Winery right out of college.
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Snacking on Jelly Bellies…..all day!
• Share an Additional Fun Fact we Might not have Asked About: I’m a college football junky and will watch any game, anytime, regardless of who’s playing.

Serena Roberge-Gordon is the winemaker for Perennial Vintners on Bainbridge Island, and additionally owns two small vineyards in Western Washington.

• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: I am in constant pursuit of refining and expanding my cooking and baking skills. Photography is also a practice that I am dedicated to as well.
• How Your Pet/Kids/Friends Would Describe You: My horses, who are all rescues, would say that I am very dedicated to their welfare, recovery, and comfort; and that I find every excuse I can to play with them and show them how much I love them.

Rianne grew up in rural Lewis County and is a graduate of Western Washington University and the Washington Agriculture & Forestry Leadership Program. She currently manages the International Marketing Program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture. In addition to serving on the Washington State Wine Commission board, she also serves on the boards of the National Association of Agricultural Marketing Officials and the Washington Small Business Development Center, along with various agriculture and trade-related committees.

• Hometown: Toledo, WA
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Museum Assistant Director
• Favorite Thing to Pair With #WAwine: WA Seafood
• Where Do You Find Your Inspiration? Travel