North Bay Woman

S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 NORTH BAY WOMAN 45 rom childhood roots in the soil to found- ing a new wine re- gion to cultivating a wine passion, these three ladies are shining examples of women in charge in the local vineyards and wine making industry. They are a diverse trio proving you can fulfill your dreams, overcome challenges, and rise to the top of your craft. Erica Stancliff , Trombe a Family Wines Erica Stancliff's wine journey began at the ripe old age of 10 when she cor- rectly identified all of the aromas in a glass of wine handed to her by family friend and distinguished winemaker Paul Hobbs. Now, at 33, Stancliff has completely immersed herself in wine, endeavoring to leave her mark and effect positive change in the industry. She serves as the full-time winemak- er for her family's winery, Trombetta Family Wines, and also as the wine- maker at O'Connell Vineyards, Pfend- ler Vineyards and Stressed Vines, as well as the enologist at CIRQ. Stancliff's elegant winemaking tech- niques and extensive understanding of vinification have produced award-win- ning vintages, recognized with top scores year-over-year from "Wine En- thusiast" and "Wine Advocate." As she continues to hone her craft, Stancliff has also taken an active leadership role in Sonoma County's wine industry, with the founding of the Petaluma Gap AVA and serving as the president of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance for the third year in a row. She contin- ues to volunteer substantial time to provide much-needed support to the region's winemakers in the aftermath of the 2020 wildfires and COVID-19 pandemic. Stancliff also prioritizes ed- ucation, offering mentorship opportu- nities for enology students, hoping to make the industry more accessible and inclusive of underrepresented groups. Lisa Howard, Tolenas Winery Lisa Howard is the co-owner and award-winning winemaker of Tole- nas Winery. Growing up as a farmer's daughter, Howard spent her childhood learning the trade of farming in Suisun Boss Ladies of the V I N E Opposite page, clockwise: Erica Stancliff at Trombetta Family Wines, Lisa Howard from Tolenas Winery and Cecilia Enriquez of Enriquez Estate Wines. Above: Stancliff pouring a glass of pinot noir. – Photo of Erica Stancliff by Anna Wick, photo courtesy of Lisa Howard, photo of Cecilia Enriquez by Victoria Webb Photography F THREE NORTH BAY WINE MAKERS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS

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