The Lamorinda Appellation is a young and growing AVA that many visitors are discovering for the first time.
While our awards speak for themselves, we want every guest’s experience with Lamorinda wines to reflect the quality and potential of our region. Every bottle we pour has been thoughtfully curated and evaluated for its ability to enhance the reputation of the AVA.
To guide that process, we’ve brought together a team of seasoned industry professionals—our board of experts—who help shape the selection you’ll enjoy at Local Vines.
Our wine board is chaired by Vlatka Štampar Bathgate, a Certified Sommelier, who brings deep expertise and a life long passion for the wine industry. Her roots in wine stretch back to Croatia where she worked in her family’s winery, Štampar, before she earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Enology (Wine Science), Viticulture and Horticulture.
Vlatka’s career as a research enologist has taken her around the globe to positions at wineries in New Zealand, Sonoma and Napa, including the renowned Grgich Hills. Her work across these diverse wine regions has refined her skills in wine production and research, and sensory evaluation, establishing her as a respected voice in the industry.
A long-term resident in the Lamorinda resident, Vlatka is a founding member of the Lamorinda AVA and an active member of the Lamorinda Wine Growers’ Association. She is a frequent wine judge.
Susan Winchester is a Certified Specialist of Wine who has transformed her passion for food, wine, and bringing people together into a life-long career. She currently serves as Director of National Accounts for Winebow Imports, working with national hotels, restaurants chains, and airlines to represent more than 100 domestic and international family owned wineries. Susan is also a guest lecturer at several prominent university graduate wine programs, including UC Davis OIV (Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin) and Sonoma State University’s MBA Program.
After earning an economics degree from Northwestern University, Susan sought a role that connected her to France and joined the marketing and public relations team at Kobrand Corporation in New York City. She later moved into sales, relocating to San Francisco to represent both a large California winery and a boutique Napa producer, before joining Winebow in 2019. Her broad experience and dedication to education continue to shape her work and contributions to the wine community.
Jenny Fry graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and soon discovered that her passion lay more in wine than in the kitchen. She built her career in the wine industry instead through sales positions with distributors serving restaurants and wine stores throughout San Francisco and the East Bay.
In addition to her work in distribution, Jenny has contributed to several well-regarded Bay Area restaurants including Pausa in San Mateo, and Pasta Moon in Half Moon Bay. At Pasta Moon, she serves as both restaurant manager and wine director, bringing her culinary training and industry experience together to create thoughtful, guest-centered wine programs.
