Board of Commissioners

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.

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!

[Bio to come!]

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.

Courtney Elbe is the PNW Region Vice President of Sales for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.  Before joining Southern Glazer’s in 2021, she most recently worked with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Jackson Family Wines holding multiple National and Regional strategic leadership roles.  Courtney is a Certified Specialist of Wine and member of the WSWA Women’s Leadership Council.

• Favorite Drink other than Wine: The Perfect Coffee.
• Hometown: Cedarburg, WI
• Favorite #WAWine Variety: Bordeaux-style blends, red and white Rhône varietals.
• Favorite Thing to Pair With #WAwine: PNW fresh seafood.
• Where Do You Find Your Inspiration? My Kids, Nature, Music, Cooking.

Lynda Eller is the Senior Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of the largest premium wine companies in the U.S.  As a 20+ year veteran of the Washington wine industry, she has spent two decades passionately telling the Washington wine story to regional and national trade and consumer audiences for Chateau Ste. Michelle, the state’s founding winery.  Prior to joining Ste. Michelle, she worked for Public Relations agencies with clients in the hospitality, beverage, and entertainment industries. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and kayaking.

• Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: I worked at Nordstrom all through high school. It instilled a strong work ethic at an early age and the value of customer service.
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: A mocha and a hazy IPA
• Where Do You Find Your Inspiration? Spending time outdoors in the Northwest, especially kayaking in the South Puget Sound.
• Additional Fun Fact We Might Not Have Asked About: I spent my early childhood living abroad.  I was born in Malaysia, and lived in Thailand for four years, and Afghanistan for three years before my family moved to Oregon where I continued to live through my college years and am a proud Oregon Duck.

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, sons, 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!

Kade is the Manager and Viticulturist for storied Ciel Du Cheval.  He has a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology and an M.S. in Agriculture from WSU.  Kade also has a background in general contracting and has worked on commercial and custom home projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Kade also serves on the Washington Wine Industry Foundation Scholarship Committee.

• Previous Profession That You Are Proud of: Superintendent for a Custom Home Builder
• Home Town: Star Valley, WY & La Grande, OR
• Share an Additional Fun Fact We Might not have Asked About: I spend my free time traveling, fishing, camping, and enjoying the great outdoors with my wife and my son.

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!

[Bio to come!]

Devyani Isabel Gupta is the lead Winemaker & Viticulturist for Valdemar Estates, in Walla Walla. Devyani oversees grape growing and winemaking for the Valdemar Family’s Pacific Northwest portfolio focused on premium Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Devyani is deeply committed to her wine community; she also serves as Mentor in the Bâtonnage Forum and as Chair of the Walla Walla Community College Enology & Viticulture program’s advisory committee.

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Research Project Lead – UW READi Lab which conducts research related to early identification and intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: n/a 😃
• Favorite Party Trick? Pit-master of the house – I love to grill and host friends
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: Mechanizing canopy management in boutique farming. Alternative yeast strains and co-inoculations for combating climate change in the winery.

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

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.