Born in Melbourne, Australia, Shaun entered early into a life of wine. Studying at the renowned Roseworthy Agricultural College in Australia developed his passion, leading to graduation as Dux of the Oenology class. A harvest in California in 1997 led to over a decade leading the winemaking, vineyard and facility departments at Clos Pegase Winery in the Napa Valley. He then completed the Sonoma State University MBA in Wine Business while also dividing his time between consulting projects for winemaking and winery equipment before joining Laffort USA full time in 2014.

Cell: (707) 364-8944
shaun.richardson@laffort.com

Jillian has a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and has been actively working as a winemaker since 2000 in South Africa, Australia and in California’s Central Coast. Jillian joined the team in 2010 and has her own wine brand; both keep her well connected to all the issues of each vintage. She loves to hear from winemakers and thrives off of brainstorming sessions for new and unique protocols.

Cell: (707) 364-0894
Jillian.johnson@laffort.com

A current MW candidate with over ten years of winemaking experience, Jon also holds a WSET Diploma and a B.S. in Accounting.  After pursuing a career in music, Jon entered the wine industry and the “school of broom pushing” in 2009 to learn under UC Davis Alumni in the Livermore Valley.  In 2015, he moved to Napa Valley for a winemaking position that introduced him to a community that opened him to opportunities to work with consultants, writers, WSET instructors, and the ability to trial new wine technology.  Jon joined LAFFORT® in 2020 and brings his experience of inventive solutions for both large and small wineries and a focus on increasing quality at price points of all levels.

Cell: (707) 494 0512
jon.frost@nobile-oenologie.com

With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Geology from Adams State College in Colorado, Matt’s first job in the wine industry was in 1998 working for United Distillers and Vintners in the Sonoma laboratory, which encompassed all aspects of the natural sciences. Matt discovered his passion after moving to Manteca in the Central Valley and embarked on a career in production winemaking. Matt then spent seven years making wine on the North Coast and returned to the Lodi region in 2010 where he has set down his own roots. Matt consults for two small premium wine brands in Lodi, and brings to his LAFFORT® territory perspectives of large and small scale winemaking at all quality levels.

Cell: (209) 681-1299
matt.ridge@laffort.com

Marcy has a Degree in Chemistry and Medical Technology and worked in Immunology Research for 12 years before discovering wine while working for the UC Davis School of Medicine. She took some classes in Enology and discovered the science of wine and was captivated enough to change careers. Marcy joined Laffort in 2015 after working in wine production for 10 vintages in Sonoma and Napa with a range of small wineries including Paul Hobbs, Pellegrini and Provenance. Moving to California’s Central Valley, she managed the Cabernet Sauvignon program at E&J Gallo Winery in Livingston. She has also traveled extensively in other wine regions in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand. Marcy brings with her experience in large and small winemaking at different price points and quality tiers. She thrives off helping people solve their immediate wine quality issues and loves to help with trials and tastings to help steer your wine in the direction you envision.

Cell: (805) 234-8446
marcy.mallette@laffort.com

A Southern California native, Garett grew up exploring the world with his parents and experiencing the unique cuisines of different continents.  Eventually, this included wines that his dad had been collecting since the 1970s, including some very memorable 1978 BV Georges De Latour.  In college, a chance volunteer stint at an event at Armida Winery in Dry Creek is when the wine bug really sunk its velvety, complex, and alluring teeth into Garett.  After graduating with a Wine Business degree from Sonoma State University and working the business side of wine for 10 years, he realized his true passion lay in creating wines.  In 2012, he moved to Napa, earned a Winemaking degree at Napa Valley College, worked harvests at Hall Wines, Fantesca Estate, and was the Lab Manager at Jamieson Ranch Vineyards for three vintages.  Joining Laffort in 2017, he enjoys collaborating with winemakers all over Napa Valley, Lake County, and now the East Coast to produce world-class wines. In his spare time, Garett enjoys working on his own wine brand, cidermaking, hiking, birding, and raising his amazing cat Asher.

Cell: (707) 782 3909
garett.savage@laffort.com

Kelly is a graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Viticulture & Enology, and worked vintages in Napa, Sonoma, Clarksburg, and in the winemaking department at Michael Mondavi Family Estate before coming to Laffort. She has traveled around the world, ever in search of great wines, to France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and closer to home in California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada. As a self-confessed Oenophile and wine geek, she will happily chat with you about all aspects of wine from grape to bottle. Kelly is currently working on her own wine brand and loves to share ideas with fellow winemakers. “Each new vintage has its own set of challenges and every wine is different. That is the beauty of this industry, it takes a lot of creativity and planning to get the job done. I always look forward to a gathering of minds and get excited helping clients with their winemaking needs.”

Cell: (509) 240 7956
kelly.gifford@laffort.com