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Meet the Family
Melissa Jeltema (Mom)-
Wine Artisan
Melissa is the winemaker at Woodland Vineyard. She has a Ph.D. in Food Science,
and has been working in the fields of Sensory and Consumer Research for the
past 20 years. Melissa also recently earned an enology certificate from U.C.
Davis. What began as a hobby (an interest in wine and in wine chemistry) quickly
became an obsession and a business opportunity for Melissa and family. Melissa
plans to continue to make wine until she can no longer taste it. She loves
questions, so just ask (it makes her feel smart).
Eric Gretenhart (Step-Dad)- Vine
Artisan
Eric is the full-time vineyard manager, weekday sales-person, general handy-man
and resident smart aleck at Woodland Vineyard. Eric shares Melissa's love
for wine and for the great outdoors, so when he retired from practicing law
he took on much of the responsibility for the daily operation of Woodland
Vineyard. He spends many hours working on his tan in the vineyard, and also
answers the phone (give him a call!) and manages winery sales during the week
(by appointment).
John Witherspoon (Son-in-Law) is Woodland Vineyard's financial,
business and marketing manager. He has a degree in Small Business Management
and a genuine obsession with smelling, tasting, discussing, and purchasing
wine (a perfect addition to the family). He is the most outgoing and genuinely
friendly member of the WV family, and he also loves to answer any questions
related to wine (particularly ours). He can be found in the tasting room many
weekends, so you'll likely meet him. You can also check out his wine blog
at anythingwine.wordpress.com.
Megan Witherspoon
(Daughter) is Woodland Vineyard's graphic designer, event planner, gallery
director and marketing assistant. Megan has a Master of Fine Arts degree in
photography and sculpture, and uses those skills for label design, web design,
and for designing merchandise, marketing and sales materials. Megan also acts
as the gallery director for the WV Gallery,
located in our tasting room.
Georgia
(Pooch) is Woodland Vineyard's happy mascot. Georgia loves to hang out in
the vineyard (when she's allowed) chasing birds and helping to remove vine
clippings and sticks. She spends most of her time indoors so that she won't
bother vineyard guests, but if you ask for her by name, she would love to
come out and play a game of frisbee (though she's better at catching than
returning).
