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 and Evelyn Elizabeth. The couple enjoys cooking and sharing a good Cabernet Sauvignon—savoring all the aspects of wine country life.

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.

It was veteran winemaker Jill Davis who gave Jennifer her first official production role at William Hill Winery in Napa Valley. Jennifer worked as Jill’s apprentice for three years prior to her eleven-year tenure at Lancaster Estate where she collaborated often with the iconic David Ramey.

In 2010, while directing the production at Lambert Bridge, Jill recruited her protégé to take the lead winemaking role –a synergistic reunion that further elevated Lambert Bridge’s wine program. The two winemakers worked closely until the end of 2014 and, even now, Jill continues to serve as a valuable consulting resource in our ongoing effort to produce exceptional wines. Jennifer’s fervor is infectious and her commitment to excellence unwavering; her life’s passion is demonstrated in every bottle of Lambert Bridge.

Shelby Kolpin

Membership Manager

“I can’t believe that I’ve worked at Lambert Bridge for over 16 years – there’s never been a dull moment! I’ve become friends with so many amazing Liquid Assets Club 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 wine club 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!

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!

Erika Dawkins

Marketing + Events Manager

"I enjoy working with an idea and turning it into something special. As part of a team that continually strives for quality in everything, I see how I can make a direct contribution."

A Healdsburg native, Erika spent six years working Down Under in the Australian wine industry before returning home to Dry Creek Valley. As Marketing and Events Manager, Erika is well versed in wine, public relations, marketing and events. Her go-to attitude and unmatched enthusiasm are invaluable assets to our team.

When not thinking up a new hashtag or organizing our next big event, Erika spends an unhealthy amount of time feeding her Google addiction, reading industry blogs, watching DIY videos, and viewing Instagram feeds. She also enjoys wine tasting with her winemaking husband, traveling and cooking.

Aaron Hitt

Estate Ambassador

"I love coming into Lambert every morning! It does not feel like a job but more like a family and everyday we are able to showcase all of our families hard work. Working with such a talented team I am constantly increasing my knowledge of wines and everything around it.

Aaron spent over 30 years of his life throughout Kentucky and Tennessee until finally arriving in Sonoma County in 2012. "I grew up around a lot of Southern Hospitality and I believe there is such a thing as Sonoma Hospitality, which is quite similar." He very quickly fell in love with the area which led to learning more and more about wine. Meeting people who loved working in the industry gave him the desire to finally make the move.

Aaron spends his evenings taking in all the amazing dining options in Healdsburg and then doing his best to replicate at home. During his time off he loves to play tourist. From wine tasting, day trips to the city, to skiing in Tahoe, and days at the beach, he loves the area and wants to explore as much as possible.

Susie Mangus

Controller

"A dream come true – beautiful, peaceful setting at an awesome winery with a team that feels like family; all sharing the same desire for excellence and integrity. It’s truly more of a blessing than it is work!"

Having spent the past decade working in the wine industry, Susie spent a big part of her career in the food industry.

A resident of Windsor, Susie is an avid gardener and dog lover. She feels most at home in nature - hiking, camping, canoeing and soaking in all the good things Sonoma County has to offer.

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.

Sara Carli

Wine Educator

“Wine and art are my two passions in life. At Lambert Bridge, I am lucky enough to be immersed in both since wine of this caliber truly is art!”

Sara moved to Sonoma County after working in the world of fashion in Florida and New York. She began her career in the wine industry with a focus on Pinot Noir at MacRostie and found her calling here at Lambert Bridge after tasting through our Bordeaux varietal wines. Her eye for detail and quality combined with her love of fine wine translates well into her role as a Wine Educator. Add her outgoing personality and contagious laugh and you’ll know why members and customers so often become her friends!

When not at Lambert Bridge, Sara is most often found in her art studio with her oil paints. Her style is Contemporary Realism and can be seen at www.saracarli.com

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.

Stefanie Nourse

Assistant Retail Sales Manager

"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!

Brianna Walton

Retail Sales Manager

“Born and raised here in Sonoma County, I like to refer to myself as a ‘lucky local’ recognizing that people travel from all over the world to come visit my ‘backyard’ to take in the beautiful scenery that we are fortunate enough to enjoy each day.”

As the Retail Sales Manager, Brianna manages the guest experience side of our winery, the perfect role for her sunny disposition. With over five years in wine hospitality, she found the perfect fit here at Lambert Bridge as she loves both the quality of wine and the beautiful location she gets to call her office.

Graduating from Sonoma State University in 2010 with a degree in General Management, Brianna began her career at a small family-owned winery before joining Lambert Bridge. Her passion for wine and people, matched with her vibrant personality, make her a tremendous asset to our team. When she’s not working, she enjoys staying active snowboarding, hiking and completing tough mudder runs with family and 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.

Kim Wise

Wine Educator

"I'm doing what I love to do: working with great people, great wine, in a beautiful setting and in an area that I am proud to call home."

Born and raised in Indiana, Kim spent her working life in sales and marketing in the medical device industry. In 2014, Kim left her corporate life behind to pursue her dream of working with her passion- wine. She immersed herself in the Culinary Institute Wine Program at Greystone in Napa and pursued several wine certifications including WSET Advanced, Society of Wine Educators Certified Specialist of Wine, Court of Master Sommeliers Level One and the French Wine Society. She is a member of the Guild of Sommeliers and is a Certified Tourism Ambassador for Sonoma County. And this is what she does for fun!

Kim, along with her dogs Rhone and Margaux, loves to explore Sonoma County for all it has to offer. "Sometimes I even pinch myself that I am living my dream!"

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.