The Growing Together: Women in Agriculture panel at the recent Cherry Bombe Jubilee Wine Country, brought together five inspiring leaders in California agriculture and viticulture: Erin Raser of Far West Fungi, Gretchen Roddick of Hope Family Wines, Brenae Royal of St. Supéry, Samantha Rudd of Rudd Estate, and Elizabeth Vianna of Chimney Rock. Kerry Diamond, founder of Cherry Bombe, moderated the panel. These influential women shared their unique journeys to success. Each shed light on the distinct challenges they have faced—and overcome—as women in the traditionally male-dominated fields of farming and winemaking.

Their stories resonated with grit, resilience, and a shared commitment to paving the way for future generations of farmers. Each panelist expressed deep gratitude for the strong female mentors who inspired and supported them along the way. They underlined the power of solidarity among women in agriculture. They reflected on the value of these mentorships in building confidence, fostering innovative thinking, and redefining what leadership looks like in agriculture.

Alongside tales of perseverance, the panelists highlighted their ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. Each spoke passionately about preserving the land and ecosystems that fuel their work. For these women in agriculture, sustainability goes beyond farming. It’s a philosophy that drives each decision, and includes how they care for themselves and their teams. Their insights provide a compelling glimpse into the future of California agriculture. A future where women’s leadership and environmental stewardship continue to grow hand-in-hand.

Let’s learn a bit more about these inspiring women in agriculture:

Erin Raser, Far West Fungi

Erin Raser is the spirited director of operations of Far West Fungi. Far West is a family-owned operation that’s been bringing a bit of earthy magic to the California food scene for over three decades. They cultivate an incredible range of organic mushrooms. You’ll find everything from shiitake to lion’s mane grown sustainably on their farm in Monterey Bay.

Erin is a passionate advocate for the industry. She has worked to draft legislation to support domestic exotic mushroom suppliers. Erin has also worked to promote domestic supply and import machinery and automation to bring the US producers up to global standards. She has advocated for seeking out solutions for plastic waste and sustainability options.

At the heart of Erin’s work is a deep respect for nature and family. Alongside the Garrone family who own Far West Fungi, Erin has helped to build Far West Fungi into an iconic brand. Her commitment to community and the environment ensures her family’s passion for mushrooms will keep growing—for health, taste, and the planet.

“We’re really focused on sustainable, local food. We’re also a family business. Four brothers and their parents run this business. And we all have families and our food is really important to us. So we want to be able to be confident in consumers not only buying our mushrooms and feeling good about it, but buying any mushrooms in the country or in the state of California and really knowing where they’re coming from”

Gretchen Roddick, Hope Family Wines

Gretchen Roddick is a dynamic presence at Hope Family Wines. She brings energy and expertise to the family-run operation in Paso Robles. Known for their bold reds and innovative blends, Hope Family Wines celebrates Paso’s unique terroir. Gretchen has played a key role in shaping the brand’s sustainable approach to winemaking. Whether she’s working on strategic projects or new vineyard practices, she’s got her eye on the future of California wine.

Gretchen’s path in wine started young, when she joined Hope Family Wines as a new college grad. Today, she brings fresh ideas to the business, focusing on sustainable agriculture and the potential of Paso Robles’ unique climate. She’s a leader in the movement toward regenerative practices that nurture the soil, sequester carbon, and ensure that the family’s wines have minimal impact on the land.

Her love for Paso’s vibrant wine scene shines through in all she does. As a part of Hope Family Wines, Gretchen embodies the balance of tradition and innovation, infusing the family legacy with forward-thinking initiatives. Her work is not only about creating memorable wines but also stewarding the land for generations of wine lovers to come.

“Our team is family, and as we’re hiring people and looking at who’s coming in for interviews, at the end of the day, we’re looking to see, are they the right fit? Are they family-oriented? Do they have the drive? I don’t look at it as a job. I wake up every day and I have passion and I get to go to work every day. It’s an opportunity. And so the people that we hire and we’re growing our team with, we’re looking to see if they have that same passion. There’s a lot of passion in the wine business.”

Brenae Royal, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards

Brenae Royal is a rising star in Napa Valley’s wine industry. She is the vibrant vineyard manager for St. Supéry Estate Vineyards. With an infectious enthusiasm for viticulture, Brenae has been steering the iconic Rutherford estate vineyards towards sustainable excellence. There, she cultivates some of the region’s most prized Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Her focus is on organic farming practices and soil health, and she’s a passionate advocate for connecting consumers to the land through sustainable wine.

Brenae’s journey to St. Supéry was serendipitous; she entered the world of viticulture through an internship, but her passion quickly bloomed into a full-fledged career. Now, she’s recognized as a vital voice in Napa, not only for her commitment to eco-friendly practices but also for her mentorship and advocacy for young, diverse voices in wine. Her energy and expertise are redefining what it means to be a Napa Valley grower.

Brenae brings a fresh perspective to St. Supéry. Her dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures each bottle carries a sense of place. Whether she’s in the field, on panels, or engaging with fans, she’s bringing Napa Valley closer to the community with every vine she nurtures.

“I lead with protecting our vineyard and agriculture workers. They all got raises this year, but people don’t understand that we are really ground zero with increasing costs. So as I try and protect my people, now it’s like, okay, do you increase the cost on the value of the fruit? So how do I balance the desires and needs of our consumers who want safer farmed wines? And how do I balance that with the cost of protecting the environment and protecting the people? But also keeping the value of our product elevated and justifying that cost to the consumer.”

Samantha Rudd, Rudd Estate

Samantha Rudd is carrying forward her family’s legacy at Rudd Estate, the esteemed Napa Valley winery known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines. As the next-generation leader, Samantha brings a fresh, innovative perspective to her family’s winery. She also upholds the values of quality and sustainability instilled by her late father, Leslie Rudd. With a passion for precision winemaking, she’s committed to creating wines that express the unique terroir of the Oakville estate.

Her leadership goes beyond winemaking; Samantha is a strong advocate for organic and biodynamic practices, recognizing that the health of the land is inseparable from the quality of the wines. She’s focused on long-term sustainability, making Rudd Estate a model for thoughtful vineyard management and low-impact production in Napa Valley. Her work ensures Rudd wines continue to reflect the richness of the soil and the spirit of Napa’s unique landscape.

Samantha’s dedication to honoring and expanding her father’s vision is also evident in her involvement with PRESS, the acclaimed Napa restaurant founded by Leslie Rudd to celebrate classic California cuisine with a wine list featuring exclusively Napa Valley producers. Samantha’s influence has helped PRESS flourish as a local dining landmark.

She’s also preparing to open Under-Study, a new culinary venture that will further explore Napa’s regional flavors and connect more closely with local agriculture. Her commitment to preserving her family’s legacy while championing innovation speaks to her vision of creating wines and experiences that are timeless yet forward-looking—a true Napa Valley classic.

“It’s an incredibly, incredibly personal business for me. I’m an only child. My dad passed away six years ago. I came home from working at Chateau Margaux to take over my family business. We have an in-house vineyard crew. We farm organically and biodynamically. They really, really feel like my family. So, of course, I have their interests on my mind all the time. But then also the viability of the business.”

Elizabeth Vianna, Chimney Rock Winery

Elizabeth Vianna is the celebrated winemaker at Chimney Rock Winery. There, she crafts wines that showcase the beauty and diversity of Napa’s Stags Leap District. As one of the few Latina winemakers in Napa Valley and the leader of an all-Latino team, Elizabeth brings a unique perspective to the industry. She blends science, artistry, and cultural pride into every bottle. With a background in microbiology and her naturally infectious energy, she produces some of the most expressive Cabernets in the region, capturing the spirit of each vintage and the nuances of the Stags Leap terroir.

Originally from Brazil, Elizabeth’s journey to Napa Valley was inspired by a love for the sensory world of wine. She joined the team at Chimney Rock in 2002, eventually becoming head winemaker and general manager. Here, her signature style—elegant, balanced, and terroir-driven wines—have earned her acclaim and a loyal following. 

It is Elizabeth’s passion for mentorship and dedication to excellence that make her a beloved figure in the Napa Valley wine community. At Chimney Rock, she’s not only producing top-tier wines but also inspiring a new generation of winemakers to embrace both tradition and innovation, making Napa Valley’s future as bright as its storied past.

“I want our employees to be as happy to be there as the consumers that come see us, and that really drives me. On a broader sense, I’m really thinking about the long-term resiliency of the wine business, and being a veteran of almost 30 years now in the business, I’m giving back.”

These Amazing Women in Agriculture Inspired Attendees

The Growing Together: Women in Agriculture panel at Cherry Bombe Jubilee Wine Country ended on an inspiring note. The audience was left with a sense of optimism and admiration for these leaders shaping California’s agricultural future. Erin Raser, Gretchen Roddick, Brenae Royal, Samantha Rudd, and Elizabeth Vianna demonstrate that their paths, though varied, converge in a shared commitment to resilience, mentorship, and sustainable innovation. Through their stories, they illustrate how women’s contributions are redefining agriculture and winemaking, crafting a legacy rooted in stewardship and inclusivity. As these pioneering women continue to cultivate change, they invite others—especially the next generation of female leaders—to join them in growing a more equitable and environmentally conscious industry.

Article written by Alison Needham @agirl_defloured. Photography by James Collier @jamescollier and Hilary Rance.