Our Team
CHRIS KAJANI
PRESIDENT AND WINEMAKER
Chris is a proud Napa native who grew up raiding her parents’ wine cellar and riding the neighbors’ horses (though not necessarily in that order). She started her career in biotech, but wine drew her inevitably home. A few too many trips to European wine regions led to wistful dinner party comments, which led to working harvests — and she was back at UC Davis for a Masters in Viticulture and Enology before she knew it.
Like the Copelands, Chris fell hard for Burgundian wines, and she built her winemaking career around crafting worthy California cousins. After almost a decade working with Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as Saintsbury’s winemaker, she joined the Bouchaine family as head winemaker and general manager in 2015. Today, her passion and authenticity set the tone for her team. Pick for flavor. Get serious about the details. Don’t take shortcuts. And above all, enjoy the wine.
ERIK GOODMANSON
director of operations
How does a kid from southern Minnesota, with intentions of going to dental school, end up among the vineyards of the Napa Valley? Winemaking wasn’t on Erik’s radar until someone told him at a dinner party about enology classes at a local community college. Once it registered that people actually could get paid to make wine, he was all in.
After many years as Associate Winemaker at Bouchaine Vineyards, Erik now skillfully serves as its Director of Operations. Still an ever-present fixture in the winery and vineyards, Erik also enjoys a good brainstorming session, scheming up ways to create the “wow factor” from winemaking to a visitor’s experience. “Bouchaine has always been a place that encourages and demands creativity, and that fits nicely with my personality and desire to be a part of something special. All of us are able to make changes happen here, and as Director of Operations, I get to be a part of so many of those projects and processes.”
GABRIEL IDE-GARCIA
DTC MANAGER
Growing up in the Napa Valley, Gabriel developed an affinity for viticulture, people and place. Today, he takes pride in sharing his love of this extraordinary wine growing region where he has worked as an industry professional in local wine, sales, management, and hospitality for over 17 years.
LUIS CORRO
Wine Club MANAGER
Luis has nearly 20 years of experience working with the incredible wines of Napa Valley and currently holds a WSET Level 2 certification. He is fascinated with the agricultural roots of wine and thrives on bringing world class hospitality to our guests both virtually and in person.
ROSE STANTON, CMP
Event Sales & Marketing Manager
With a passion for travel, design, and creative expression, Rose’s winding path ultimately led her to producing events for a variety of clients. Rose loves to find the WOW Factor and unique offerings that only wine country can offer. “Having lived in this beautiful area for many years, I have that inside knowledge of what guests are looking for, which allows me to create a new and vibrant experience.”
Along the way, a detour into Carneros brought Rose to Bouchaine. At the winery, she has shaped the Events Department, with a focus on excellence and commitment.
An avid foodie and wine geek, Rose loves spending time with friends and family, discovering the hidden gems that wine country has to offer.
SCOTT STOWE
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER
What does citrus, cattle and surfing have in common? That is how Scott Stowe spent his childhood in Southern California, splitting time between a ranch and the sea. Throw in a lot of time on the baseball diamond, a love of science, and a mother who believed “you should always cook with a glass of wine in your hand,” resulted in Scott’s distinguished career in the wine industry. He has held positions on both coasts, working with Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, St. Supery Vineyards, Mendocino Wine Company, Truett-Hurst, Luna Vineyards and Pacific Highway Wines before joining the Bouchaine family.
Social by nature, Scott enjoys his career as it allows him to meet new people, drink delicious wines and then sell even more. When he’s away from the winery, Scott spends as much time as possible cooking with his family, walking with his dog and, if possible, playing a round of golf.
