I am a first-generation born Mexican-American trying to help pave the way for others like me in this industry. I first developed my love of wine through countless conversations with my dad around the dinner table. He taught me to appreciate all different styles of wine and that the best bottles were the ones shared with loved ones. Born in Modesto but raised in Napa, wine has always seemed to be part of my destined path – with the Gallo Family being in Modesto and Napa being…well Napa. I was on a path to study law, but soon realized that I wasn’t as passionate about it as I used to be. I took some time off from school to reflect on what I was passionate about and while working at Hudson Greens & Goods in the Oxbow Market, I befriended people like Helen Keplinger, Carlo Mondavi, John Kongsgaard, and Meghan Zobeck. In 2019, after seeing the passion evoked in conversations with Helen and the other winemakers that I had come to befriend, I realized that I wanted to pursue something in the wine industry, and asked Helen for an internship. In that moment, we both knew that this internship was meant to be. From vineyard visits to barrel sampling, each and every day taught me something new that would help further my career in the wine industry. Upon completion of the internship, I realized that I wanted to pursue this as a career because I saw how it connected people from all walks of life and I wanted to help be one of those people helping connect others. I accepted a position at ACME Fine Wines in St. Helena where I was able to learn a different side of the wine industry. After 2 years at ACME, I switched over to the winery side of things and am the Estate Liaison at Continuum Estate.