With a winemaking degree from University of California-Davis, Phil Hurst began his career in the wine industry in 1985 at Fetzer Vineyards. Fetzer Vineyards was sold to the Brown-Forman Corporation in 1992, and Phil left in 1998 to run International Sales and Marketing for Golden State Vintners, Inc. which needed to bolster the senior management team for the launch of its initial public offering. During his time at Golden State Vintners, Inc. (1998-1999), Phil met his future partners in what was to become one of the world’s largest private label beer, wine and spirits companies, Winery Exchange Inc. As co-founder and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1999 to 2007, Phil helped grow the company to over $100 million in sales in less than 10 years. Phil sold his stake in company in 2007 to follow his dream of buying and building his own winery in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma CA. Phil launched Truett Hurst in 2008 and then VML Winery in 2010. Phil served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Member of the company from 2007-2013. In 2013 Phil took Truett Hurst public and acted as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board up and until the sale of the Private Label brands to Washington state based Precept Wine Company in 2018. Under a 5 year contract Phil became Precept’s Chief Innovation Officer focusing primary on large chain private label wine sales. In 2024 Phil launched PLH Wine and Spirits based on the foundation of his experience with country’s largest beverage alcohol retailers and distributors and repurchased his wineries Truett Hurst and VML from the public company.
Ken & Diane Wilson
Winery Partners
Ken Wilson, originally from Ontario, Canada, began his wine journey in the 1980s with his wife Diane by planting vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. Their winemaking dream took off in 1993 when they purchased the historic Fredson Winery, restoring it into what became Wilson Winery by 1998. Diane, whose background in biochemistry complements her winemaking talent, has earned widespread acclaim, including being named Best Woman Winemaker five times. Today, they farm over 600 acres and own twelve wineries and three inns, all recognized for their exceptional wines, scenic beauty, and welcoming hospitality. Known for his hands-on work ethic and dynamic personality, Ken is a beloved figure among wine club members and plays a central role in the continued growth of Wilson Artisan Wineries.
Ross Reedy
Winemaker
Ross Reedy absolutely loves what he does. “I get to work with inspiring people, my job is dynamic and challenging, and I really love the wines we make,” says Reedy. He became fascinated with the craft as a teenager while making wine at home with his father from their vineyard in Alexander Valley. By the time he was 18, he had made up his mind to pursue his passion full time. Reedy studied Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, while simultaneously gaining real-world experience at a boutique winery in Paso Robles. After graduation in 2005, he traveled the world- chasing the perfect grape harvest. Stints in cellars, vineyards, and winemaking labs across Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Napa Valley eventually led him back to Sonoma County, where he accepted a permanent position with Truett Hurst and VML. When Ross is not immersed in the creative exploration and the technical challenges of making ultra-premium wines, he can be found spending time with his family, playing guitar, and fishing.
Sylvia Hurst
Event Coordinator
Sylvia was raised in South Lake Tahoe and later attended UC Davis, where she earned her teaching credentials. During her senior year, she met her future husband, and after graduation, the couple moved to Ukiah, California. There, Sylvia began her career teaching Kindergarten through Eighth grade.
During summer breaks, she worked as a VIP tour guide and in the catering kitchen at Fetzer Vineyards, where her husband was employed full-time. It was during this time that she discovered a deep passion for the wine industry. That passion eventually led the couple to found Truett Hurst Winery in 2007, located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley.
At Truett Hurst, Sylvia wears many hats—serving as property manager, event director, and an essential presence in the tasting room. She takes great pride in creating memorable experiences for guests and is often found at the tasting barn, personally serving food and wine.
In her free time, Sylvia enjoys cooking for family and friends and hiking in the High Sierra, where she reconnects with her roots and the natural beauty that first inspired her journey.
Clay Hurst
Tasting Room Manager
Clay was born and raised in Healdsburg, an agricultural community. He feels very fortunate to have grown up in the wine country, and appreciates the local farmers and produce including the grapes used for making wines in the area and for Truett Hurst Winery.
He attended local schools in Healdsburg and Sonoma County and worked at VML winery (our sister winery) during the summers as a “cellar rat.” Clay graduated from the University of San Francisco in 2017 with a major in psychology.
Upon graduating from USF, Clay commenced his career at the Truett Hurst tasting room. To enhance his expertise, he subsequently gained experience at various other tasting rooms, including Thomas George Estates, DeLoach, and Rockpile, before returning to manage Truett Hurst.
Clay enjoys riding his motorcycle down Dry Creek Road, appreciating the sunshine and vineyard views. He has a lifelong passion for animals and cherishes time spent with his dog, Maya, and cat, Archie. Truett Hurst has been his home for many years, and he looks forward to working there every day.
Natalie Hurst
Wine Club Manager
Natalie wears just about every hat at Truett Hurst - managing the wine club, customer service, marketing, sales, reporting, and about seven email accounts (and that's before noon).
Natalie was born and raised in Marin County. She met Clay in high school. Natalie had transferred schools two years earlier but returned to watch her former class graduate at Sonoma Academy. Neither could have guessed they'd one day build a life - and a business - together…10 years later.
After earning her degree in Film and Television at the Savannah College of Art and Design, she headed to Hollywood, working as a film editor and certified stunt driver. (Favorite gig: jumping a car over a Prius for Vin Diesel’s stunt team.)
Eventually, the pull of home, family, and a different kind of adventure brought Natalie back to Sonoma County. Now married, and working alongside Clay and her brother, Rex, she’s helping carry on the Hurst family legacy, building something worth losing sleep over (sometimes until 4 AM).
When she’s not at the winery, you’ll usually find Natalie at the barn with her horse (the honorary Truett Hurst mascot), hanging out with Clay and their cat, Archie, and dog, Maya, or soaking up a rare slow afternoon under the Sonoma County sun.
Karina Lochner
Assistant Wine Club Manager
Karina assists in all things wine club at Truett Hurst—helping manage club operations, inventory, customer service, creative projects, marketing support, and the occasional hosting shift when things get busy. Born and raised in Sonoma County, Karina studied Computer Animation and Visual Effects for Film at The Los Angeles Film School. After a few months abroad, she first learned to appreciate wine while in Bulgaria—where it was often poured straight from the barrel, into 2-liter bottles, labels optional. When she returned home, she was determined to find wines that captured the same magic. She found them in the VML Pinots, and later fell for the full Truett Hurst portfolio, especially the Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs. Today, she loves being part of a winery that feels more like family than work. When she’s not at the winery, Karina spends her time riding horses, oil painting, creating 3D animations, reading, and gaming.
Alex Giovannoli
Tasting Room Associate
Alex was born and raised in Marin County and in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco California.
After going Sir Francis Drake High School in Marin County, Alex attended Santa Barbara City College to study Film Production and Media. Upon completion, he was accepted into Sonoma State University’s Hutchins Program of Liberal Arts and Humanities.
Alex has worked in the wine industry for over 7 years, and has held positions in almost every facet of the business.
Favorite hobbies include: mountain biking, playing guitar, and travelling to new places.
Favorite aspect of working at Truett Hurst, is that the team is not just a team, but a family.
Rex Collenette
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
After graduating from high school in his hometown in California, Rex studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Following his time in Manhattan working in public relations, he returned to Northern California, where he fell in love with the wine industry and the region’s remarkable wines. Since moving back to California, he has experienced nearly every facet of the wine business—from social media and marketing to working harvests and hosting—and he has enjoyed it all. His time working at Truett Hurst is made even better by their incredible Zinfandels and getting to work alongside his family and fantastic coworkers. An avid mountain biker and kayaker, Rex loves spending his spare time outdoors and writing books.
