Patti Chambers

Owner

Patti is the owner and, Chair of the Board, of Lambert Bridge Winery. She has shaped Lambert Bridge over the last 25 years to become what it is today - a charming, welcoming and warm place that produces the highest quality wines.

Patti is a very happy and proud mother and grandmother. In addition to the pride she has in her family and Lambert Bridge, Patti has been a leader in some of the most important charitable undertakings in New Jersey, her "second" home state.

Patti spends a great deal of her time guiding the PG Chambers School, an educational setting for children with disabilities. She said that "the PG Chambers School inspires us to provide the best special education and therapy to allow our children to reach their unique potential." In addition, Patti has been a founding member of the Boards of the Women's Association of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Branch Brook Park Conservancy.

"Lambert Bridge Winery is the most enjoyable and most beautiful place my family and I have ever encountered. Our time here is truly transformative."

Jennifer Higgins

Winemaker

"Our wines are uncorked out in the world and brought into important milestones and moments in people’s lives….. To walk around the tasting room and have our guests tell me what our wines mean to them is the ultimate reward. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Once you're at a great place you never want to leave.”

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Jennifer Higgins immersed herself in winemaking while working with the legendary Zelma Long of Simi Winery. After earning a degree from UC Davis in Biochemistry, Jennifer worked in Italy for two years before returning home to take a tasting room job as she studied for her medical school entrance exam. Before long, Jennifer abandoned her aspirations for medicine and dove into the cellar, learning the artistic complexities of the winemaking process from Zelma and her team.

Jennifer took on her first official production role working with Jill Davis at William Hill Winery in Napa Valley. During this time, she worked tirelessly, learning the ropes at a large Napa Valley winery prior to her eleven-year tenure at Lancaster Estate where she collaborated often with the iconic winemaking consultant David Ramey.

In early 2010, Jennifer joined Lambert Bridge and the rest is history. During the past decade, she has crafted the “LB style” - wines that are distinctive, elegant and built for long term cellar aging. Jennifer’s fervor and passion is infectious - her commitment to excellence unwavering; her life’s passion is demonstrated in every bottle of Lambert Bridge.

Michael Gilfillan

President + CEO

"Lambert Bridge has become my home away from home. When I walk on the property, I feel the same sense of family and community that our members experience."

After a successful career on Wall Street and in Sports Management, Mike merged his background in finance with his love of wine. Although an East Coast native, he has found a second home at Lambert Bridge. It is one that perfectly blends the family with the art of winemaking amidst the rustic beauty of the Dry Creek Valley. Mike seeks the perfect combination of local winemaking and collaboration as he hopes to create a positive environment that brings forth innovation and growth.

When not at the winery or rooting for his favorite sports teams, you can often find Mike on the slopes in Steamboat, Colorado. He loves spending time with his wife and four children, as well as his two Bernedoodles.

Bill Smart

Vice President + General Manager

“The Chambers family are incredible people who care deeply about their winery and employees. Being able to work with world class wines and amazing people each day is really a dream come true for me.”

As the Vice President and General Manager, Bill oversees the day-to-day operations of Lambert Bridge. A passionate wine industry leader, Bill’s love for the Dry Creek Valley and the local community makes him ideal to guide our family owned estate.

When not hard at work, Bill is often on the golf course during warmer months or on the ski slopes in the winter. Bill and his wife Danielle live in Healdsburg with their two young daughters, Genevieve Catherine, Evelyn Elizabeth and William Vernor VII. The couple enjoys cooking and sharing a good Cabernet Sauvignon—savoring all the aspects of wine country life.

Shelby Kolpin

Membership Manager

“I can’t believe that I’ve worked at Lambert Bridge for 20 years – there’s never been a dull moment! I’ve become friends with so many amazing Liquid Assets Members that work sometimes feels more like play. Should I feel guilty about that?”

Membership Manager Shelby runs the ever-growing Liquid Assets Membership and is a well-known and loved by our members. In addition to entertaining members in VIP style and coordinating each successful allocation release, she plays a major role in overall team management and strategic planning.

Shelby is always in motion. Whether braving boot camp workouts in the wee hours, paddling on the river, cooking wood-fired pizza with her chef-husband in their Healdsburg backyard, or chairing fundraising events for her daughter’s school – Shelby is a true force of nature!

Katie Fay

Director of Marketing + Hospitality

"We are so fortunate we are able to connect with our community of members + guests in such an intimate and beautiful setting here at Lambert Bridge - it truly feels like home!"

Originally from the small town of Ojai, California, Katie headed up the coast to attend Sonoma State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Wine Business Strategies and dove head first into her wine career. Wine is the perfect outlet to feed her love of life, people, and learning. She is inspired by the connection to the land in which we farm, the artistic craft of winemaking from Jen, and telling that story in every bottle shared.

When not strategizing new ways to roll out the red carpet for our members and guests, Katie loves to sing and play guitar, do anything that involves being outdoors, experiment with new recipes in the kitchen, and explore the newest wineries and restaurants throughout Sonoma County.

JP Lonergan

Estate Sommelier

“Whenever I taste an incredible wine there is an instant of discovery that I call the OMG moment. As Estate Sommelier, I try to make those moments possible for the people I serve.”

JP Lonergan spent six years as the owner-operator of a trendy wine bar in Lake Tahoe. He is a CMS Certified Sommelier and earned a Certificate in the Sequential Program in Vintage at UCLA Extension. His wine knowledge is vast but he is the first to say that means very little without a passion for all things wine. “Knowledge is great but it’s just a tool. It’s your passion that gets people’s attention.”

When JP wants to "get away from it all", he plans wine tasting excursions for groups as their Somm for the day!

Nicole Penney

Hospitality Manager

A native of Sonoma County born and raised in Windsor, Nicole has watched the wine and hospitality industry grow around her. It is no surprise she found her career in hospitality at a young age! With over 15 years of direct experience in high-end, luxury brand representation, Nicole has flourished in multiple hospitality and management roles in both the wine industry and private club world. Nicole's genuine passion for anything wine related, as well as her desire to create memorable guest experiences has led her to Lambert Bridge. She couldn't be more excited to be a part of the team!

When not at work, you can find her at a sporting event cheering on her two daughters, Desea and Nadiya, planning the next family adventure, or sharing a meal (glass of wine in hand, of course!) with her husband, Mike.

Katie Nydell

Assistant Winemaker

"I feel truly inspired to be working on such an extraordinary project with a talented team of people. Being able to do what I love and learn something new everyday is the ultimate dream."

Katie completed a multitude of harvest internships, including a stay at Duckhorn, and Hardy’s Tintara in Australia. After her return to the states, she settled down at Knights Bridge Winery as their Enologist + Wine Production Manager for 2 ½ years before her Assistant Winemaker debut at Lambert Bridge.

A California native, Katie grew up in Santa Cruz, and now lives in Marin with her husband, Jon. Outside of wine, Katie loves to ski. She skied on the Freestyle Team while earning her undergraduate degree, and still loves to hit the slopes – in Tahoe and beyond – as much as possible. But of course, nothing can compare to cooking and sharing a good bottle of wine with friends and family.

Eric Laybourn

Cellar Hand

“I am so happy to be part of a close-knit team that loves everything about their work - the camaraderie, the location, and of course, the wine! I really believe you can taste the passion and feel the unique Lambert Bridge energy in every glass. As a newcomer to the area, I love that I feel like part of this family even outside of work. Ooh - and there’s not much I wouldn’t do for a glass of Rosé or Cuvée Blanc!”

Eric came to Lambert Bridge from his native hometown of San Diego as a 2019 Harvest Intern and never left! He is now an integral part of our production team as our Cellar Hand. We feel so fortunate to have him on the team!

Eric loves to travel with his girlfriend, Sarah, who also moved up from San Diego. Both foodies, they plan their trips around their meals. He loves to read and play video games in his quiet times, but Eric is no couch potato - he loves working out and snowboarding, too!

Lila Brown

Events Coordinator

“What I love most about wine is that it represents a time and a place. Each bottle can take you on a unique journey whether it’s somewhere you have been or maybe a place not yet ventured.”

Having grown up amongst the farms and vineyards of Sonoma County, Lila set out to travel the world in search of new tastes and experiences. Five years living along the shores of the Mediterranean nurtured her passion for all things food and wine and brought her full-circle back to Healdsburg — and Lambert Bridge!

When Lila is not planning our next big event, you can find her popping up at weddings with her vintage Shasta trailer, Vino A Go Go or teaching at The Daily Method.

Michele Ferretti

Wine Educator

“I love the beautiful people, wine, and atmosphere that Sonoma County creates. This experience fills my heart and soul with love and hope as the family I create and community I expand connect with me through food and wine. In short, I love working at Lambert Bridge!”

Monday through Friday, Michele works as a wonderful Transitional Kindergarten Teacher at Sonoma Country Day. On the weekend she can be found right here in our beautiful tasting room pursuing her passion of wine and connection with guests that are her own age! Michele has been with Lambert Bridge for many years, assisting with special events, and recently shifted to a more permanent position in our Tasting Room as a Wine Educator. As such, her bright personality, love of wine, food, and everything Sonoma County shine — if you weren’t already sold on the area, Michele will have you moving here within the span of a conversation.

When not with little ones or at the winery, Michele loves to sit on her porch with a glass of wine, and chat with her two daughters, both of whom are in school up in Oregon. She also relishes spending time with family and friends in the area.

Natalie Tremblay

Concierge + Wine Educator

"Growing up my Dad always made sure we had a great bottle of wine at the table. He taught me to love the way wine connects people through a special time, place, and story. Here at Lambert Bridge we get to make those connections every day."

Born and raised in Southern California, Natalie has worked in restaurants + customer service for over ten years. When Natalie moved up to Sonoma County in 2018 she instantly fell in love with the stunning landscapes, passionate community, and world-class wine.

Natalie is thrilled to join the Lambert Bridge team and loves diving into the sensory experience of wine with our guests. When not at the winery, Natalie spends her time practicing yoga, painting, baking, and exploring Sonoma County with her Husband, Julien.

Harrison Rose

Wine Educator

“I love working with the enthusiastic and passionate people here at Lambert Bridge. The people, wines, events, and members here are truly amazing. I wake up excited to go to work every day!”

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Harrison never thought he’d end up working in the wine industry, but once he got a taste, he never looked back! Starting out his wine career at Schug Winery in Sonoma, he quickly discovered his passion for sharing genuine experiences with guests, and developed a deep appreciation for the quality that comes from small scale wine productions. It was that same appreciation for a quality focused winery that led him straight to Lambert Bridge after 6 years at Schug – we are so thrilled to have him as part of our team!

When not providing our guests with a fun and authentic experience in our Tasting Room, Harrison loves to play music and go to live shows with his friends.

LEXI MORABITO

Wine Educator

“It is a true blessing to be able to work alongside such a fantastic team like Lambert Bridge – a place where you instantly feel like part of the family as soon as you walk in!”

Born and raised in Southern California, Lexi never thought her career would involve wine. After moving to Sonoma County in 2011, she fell in love with the industry and pursued her degree in Wine Business. After her graduation from Sonoma State, Lexi started her career at Kuleto Estate Winery and then Foley Family Wines. Her time there solidified her desire to share personal experiences over excellent wines!

When not working, Lexi is always on the move. Since playing Water Polo competitively in her college days, her passion for athletics, and awe of our beautiful region have yet to wane. When she's not hosting or organizing itineraries for members, you can find Lexi hiking, eating + sipping her way through Northern California.

LINDA RICHARDSON

Wine Educator

"I love that Lambert Bridge is a top-notch winery with a relaxed, family feel. I enjoy treating the guests to a unique experience while tasting our exquisite wines. The day I drove up to the winery, I knew this was the place for me!"

Linda is a true Sonoma County native, born and raised on her parents dairy farm in Two Rock, she learned from a young age the importance of sustainable farming and protecting our precious Sonoma County land. With experience working with members of Cline Cellars and Mumm Napa, she is thrilled to be part of the Lambert Bridge family, meeting both new and veteran guests that come through our doors.

When not at Lambert Bridge, Linda can be found hosting family and friends in her home – enjoying a homecooked meal and a glass of wine. She also loves the outdoors, enjoying the sunshine through gardening, hiking, and biking as often as she can.

Erin Hanahoe

Wine Educator

"Lambert Bridge combines everything I love about wine - science, enthusiasm, passion and bringing people together to enjoy the moment on this amazing property. I am excited about my future with such an amazing company!"

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Erin grew up sailing with her family and developed a deep love for the ocean which led her to a career in Biology working with marine mammals in rescue, rehabilitation, training, and research in California and Hawaii. After moving back to California from Hawaii, Erin started working in events and hospitality for Lambert Bridge Winery. A wine enthusiast, she decided to make the transition from "whales to wine" and has been assisting Lambert Bridge events since 2016!

Erin helps out all over the winery - from hosting groups, packing shipping orders, aiding in events and, most recently, as a harvest intern grape sampler for our latest vintage. We look forward to you experiencing Erin's infections laugh + smile during your next tasting!

Beth Plumley

Assistant Membership Manager

“It’s hard to imagine a more perfect place to come to work every day. For me, Lambert Bridge offers a trifecta: top-caliber wines that I’m proud to represent, a gorgeous setting that inspires creativity, and a group of teammates I am proud to call friends.”

Our Assistant Membership Manager, Beth Plumley ignited her passion for wine while studying economics at UC Davis—taking classes in Viticulture and Enology and hanging out with her aspiring-winemaker friends. After a decade (or two) working in finance, Beth traded the beaches and boats of her hometown, Newport Beach, for the vines and wines of Sonoma County, turning her long-lived passion into her livelihood.

When not busy entertaining members at Lambert Bridge, Beth likes to frolic in vineyards with her two dogs and travel to exotic locations with her husband, exploring the world through wine and food.

Julien Tremblay

Assistant Hospitality Manager

"Wine has an incredible way of bringing people together from all walks of life. If you enjoy science, travel, food, language, geography, you name it - it exists in every bottle. I feel so fortunate to have found Lambert Bridge where we get to bring people together over a glass of wine every day."

Originially from Burlington, Vermont, Julien has found himself working in wine from coast to coast. While working in a boutique California wine bar in Los Angeles, he quickly realized that he was hooked! He has worked in all aspects of wine, from the vineyard and cellar to hospitality and sales. He and his wife (who also works for Lambert Bridge!) made the move to Sonoma County to from L.A. to make wine country their backyard.

Julien is inspired by the unique story each bottle tells and enjoys sharing those stories with the individuals that come to Lambert Bridge. When not at the winery, Julien spends his time playing guitar, rock climbing, hiking, traveling with his Wife, Natalie, and most definitely exploring new wineries. We feel so fortunate to have him on our team helping manage our hospitality program!

LAURIE PAUL

Controller

“Lambert Bridge is such a special place, and for me, it’s like coming home. The beautiful setting, warm welcome, great friends and exquisite wine inspire me to be my best every day.”

With 23 years of accounting experience, Laurie is a fabulous, self-acclaimed “numbers gal.” After working in manufacturing, she started in the wine business – “which is ever so much more fun” – in 2013 and never looked back.

Outside her whizzing world of numbers, Laurie’s passions include travel, food, and killer wine! Having been to Europe six times and wanting to visit more, her travels have taught her how to be absolutely fearless. Her first trip was to Ireland where she learned to drive on the wrong side of the road, on the wrong side of the car, without a GPS, alone.

Richard Butori

Handyman Extraordinaire

“I love coming to work at Lambert Bridge because I have such a wide variety of jobs to do here. Even after 20 years, every day is new and different!”

“Handyman” doesn’t begin to describe Richard’s role at Lambert Bridge. Whether he is repairing, cleaning, shipping, driving, advising, or even reporting on the Giants’ scores, Richard is involved in just about everything that goes on at the winery.

Self-described as a “professional tourist,” Richard loves to travel. A weekend never passes without Richard returning to work with his tales of adventure. When he is staying put, he grows and makes zinfandel on his Geyserville property.

Jake Lachowitzer

Laboratory Technician

"Spending each day helping to create and produce incredible wines with such a wonderful group of people has been a dream from my first day working in the wine industry. It sounds cliché to say, but we truly have one of the best jobs in the world! I couldn’t be more fortunate to have landed at Lambert Bridge Winery with such a great team.”

Jake joined the Lambert Bridge production team in July of 2020, coming all the way from Fargo, North Dakota. He moved to Healdsburg in the summer of 2019 to take a harvest enologist position at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. Before that, he completed several harvests with Bear Creek Winery in Fargo, working with hybrid grape varieties. Meanwhile, he also worked as a Research Assistant for North Dakota State University in their grape breeding program while working to complete his graduate degree.

Outside of Lambert Bridge, Jake likes to spend his free time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, camping or snowboarding - he is up for it all. Coming from the Midwest, he loves to explore Northern California and see all that our beautiful state has to offer. Most often though you will find him around Healdsburg or at one of the many wineries in the area with his girlfriend, Sarah and their English Setter, Ivy.

Stefanie Nourse

Retail Curator

"Lambert Bridge is a wonderful place to work. The location and setting are awe-inspiring. I work with a great team and we collaborate beautifully. It’s truly a pleasure to work for a winery that is so focused on producing a high quality product. I find joy in sharing my knowledge while being a part of our clients’ memories"

Stefanie Nourse has been serving the Sonoma County wine industry for 20 years. Prior to joining Lambert Bridge, her experience in hospitality included J Vineyards & Winery and Lasseter Family Winery, among others.

Born and raised in Santa Rosa, she credits her Italian heritage for spearheading her career. It was the delightful aroma of simple meals, lovingly prepared by her Italian grandmother in a kitchen filled with conversation, laughter, family and friends, all around a farmhouse table where wine was always an essential component of the meal.

Her passion and enthusiasm for wine is contagious. Spend time with her at the winery tasting the distinctive Lambert Bridge wines and it’s impossible not to have her bubbly personality rub off on you.

When not at the winery, you’ll find Stefanie tending to her garden, cooking for friends and family, or teaching Italian to students ranging in age from 5 to 95!

Bella Scribner

Client Relations + Logistics Coordinator

“Every day I wake up I feel grateful to live in such a beautiful area of the world, to be close to my loving family, and work at a place that feels like a second home.”

A Sonoma County Native, Bella has a deep loyalty and love for all things local! After coming back to the area once her studies ended in Southern California, she found Lambert Bridge and fell in love. A project enthusiast, Bella works hard behind the scenes to make sure all your packages of wine are delivered safely - you can always find her running around the winery on a mission! Whether it is talking with customers, coordinating with a shipping company, packing boxes, working on spreadsheets, or organizing, you will always find a smile on her face!

Coming from a large family, Bella loves spending time with her siblings that live in the area, and is an ardent board-game-player. She also enjoys drawing, working out, and wine tasting with friends!

Mat Draper

Cellar Master

“As a native of Sonoma County, I feel most at home in the cellar and among the vines. I feel so fortunate to be a part of one of the best winemaking teams around!”

Mat has been our winemaker’s right-hand man for almost nine years, ensuring that day to day operations are in line with our intense focus on quality.

In his spare time, he is a dedicated trail runner (with a few marathon-finishes to his credit), a father of two energetic boys, and a hardcore NY Mets fan.

Mariko Morikawa

Administrative Coordinator

“I sometimes get teased that I drink so little wine even though I work for such a wonderful winery. Lambert Bridge is a perfect place for me, not only because I am proud of our product, but because I work for a family that I admire and respect, the Chambers family.”

Mariko is the stealthy superhero of Lambert Bridge. She may appear to be quiet and unassuming but looks deceive: Mariko keeps the business running as our Administrative Coordinator and saves the day as our resident I.T. expert should office equipment or computer systems fail.

When not rescuing us, Mariko spends time with her grandson Giovanni, cruises the backroads of Sonoma County in her convertible Miata, and enjoys the bounty of fresh Sonoma County cuisine with likeminded foodies.