Annette’s comprehensive knowledge of wine and the wine industry is a result of her all-encompassing, first hand experience in every aspect of wine production from viticulture through bottle sales.  After completing her Certificate in Enology and Viticulture from Oregon’s Northwest Viticulture Center in 2004, she was selected to work as an understudy to Mark Vlossak of the world-renowned St. Innocent’s Winery.  Subsequently, she worked as a lab technician for one of the Willamette Valley’s largest production wineries, worked harvest for several smaller, boutique wineries and even produced her own wine.  She further developed her global wine knowledge and gustatory skills through course work and subsequent Certification as a Sommelier by the International Sommelier Guild, WSET Diploma certification (candidate 2023) and UC Davis Advanced Tasting Seminar Credentialing.

In 2006, when the Statesman Journal, a Gannett Corporation publication, introduced “The Vinofiles,” a wine blog, they asked Annette to be one of their original writers; later inviting her to publish her own thrice-a-week wine column, in addition to a monthly winery profile and numerous ad-hoc articles for their holiday supplements.  Her contributions were a fixture in the paper for 6 years.  She is continuing to publish by contributing to The International Food and Wine Writers Association (IFWTWA) and her own wine blog.  Annette gained direct sales experience at several wine retail establishments, including service as a Sales Representative for Young’s Market and working as a BevMo! Wine Specialist.  She leverages her Masters of Business Administration from Westminster College and experience as a Senior Pricing Analyst for United Health Care in her current role as Sales Analyst for Riboli Family Wines where she monitors and projects sales for the National Sales team. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of both the wine and business arena with consumers as well as wine makers.