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.

Michael Gilfillan

PRESIDENT + CEO

"Lambert Bridge has become my home away from home. When I walk on 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 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.

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!

Katie Boyer

Retail Sales + Hospitality Manager

“I have been looking for a place like Lambert Bridge my entire wine career. The wines are outstanding, the location is absolutely stunning, and every person on the team is so talented at what they do. I finally feel like I’ve found my winery “home!”

Katie grew up in the small town of Ojai, California located just about an hour north of Los Angeles and 45 minutes south of Santa Barbara. After high school, Katie made her way up the California coast to wine country and attended Sonoma State University where she graduated from the Wine Business program. She began her career in Marketing at Kosta Browne Winery, and has also worked at Chateau Montelena Winery in Calistoga, and Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma. Katie refers to herself as a total “Pinot geek”, but is excited to be back working in "Bordeaux Country" at LB!

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 with her soon-to-be winemaking husband, Danny."

Greg Wachalter

Cellar Hand

“Lambert Bridge is stacked with such an amazing team, it makes my dedication run deeper and stronger to help produce amazing wines.”

While born and raised in New York, Greg now lives in peaceful Calistoga with his fiancé, Lindsay. He spends his non-winemaking hours focusing on his health and fitness, and is an avid cross-fit fan. His passion for the winemaking process started in college where he studied plant science and viticulture, and moved to the area to be apart of process with the best wineries in the country.

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.

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.

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 Wine Educator 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.

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!

Kate Nowell-Smith

Assistant Winemaker

"Wine is something that unites people across cultures and through the ages, and I am delighted to be a part of that continuum."

When I was four I tried to follow in my father’s home winemaking footsteps: I filled a Mason jar with crushed table grapes, water, sugar, and my mother’s baking yeast. I closed the lid and hid my concoction in the kitchen cupboard. Luckily for all of us, my mother discovered the fermenting liquid before the jar exploded. I’ve been captivated by fermentation for a while!

Being on the team here at Lambert Bridge checks every box for me: superb wines, a gorgeous setting, inspiring owners, and most importantly a phenomenal group of people to work (and play) with.

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.

Bella Scribner

Guest Services

“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.”

As a key player in our Guest Services ,Bella helps with a multitude of miscellaneous tasks around the winery—from communicating with guests about tastings, to helping maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the winery, to outreach, and more. However, her favorite part of the job is simply talking to and meeting the people that walk through our door.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.