Corey Beck

CEO & Winemaking Chief / The Family Coppola

Topic: Is Cannabis a Good Thing for the Napa Valley? What Might This Mean for Wine Regions Across the Country

CEO & Winemaking Chief Corey Beck has more than 20 years of experience in the wine industry. Corey began his career in viticulture quite by accident, tagging alongside his grandfather who was the vineyard manager for Napa Valley’s renowned Chateau Montelena. Born and raised in Calistoga, Corey spent summer vacations working in the vineyards.

Upon earning his degree in Fermentation Science from the University of California at Davis, Corey returned to Chateau Montelena as their Cabernet Sauvignon Cellar Master, working with grapes his grandfather had planted in the 1970s–from the same vineyards that gained international recognition in the famous Judgment of Paris tasting. Wanting to broaden his repertoire, Corey joined Inglenook (formerly Rubicon Estate, Niebaum-Coppola) in 1998 as their assistant winemaker.

In 2006, the Coppola family purchased the historic Château Souverain property in Sonoma County, providing a home for the ever-popular Diamond Collection wines, and appointed Corey as director of winemaking and general manager. In the four years following what would become Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Corey worked alongside Francis to help revitalize the property and expand the wine operation. In 2010, after extensive renovations, the winery debuted new tasting rooms, two restaurants, a swimming pool and more. Not only did Corey oversee major components of the hospitality renovation, he also made improvements to the bottling line and winemaking facility, growing the wine portfolio to encompass distinct Sonoma County wines. In 2013, he spearheaded the purchase of the former Geyser Peak facility and vineyard acquisition and transformed that property over the next few years into what is now Virginia Dare Winery. In 2014, Corey was promoted to president of The Family Coppola’s winegrowing endeavors in Sonoma County, managing all business operations, while simultaneously continuing his role as director of winemaking.

In addition to managing two compelling destination wineries, Corey and his team have created a strong grower relations program that their growers rely on and admire. From their hands-on techniques in the vineyards to their valuable winemaking goals and analytical feedback, Corey and his team are often regarded as leaders in the wine industry, known for their innovative and engaging approach to their network of 150+ grapegrowers.

A respected member of the Sonoma County community, Corey is a past president of the Sonoma County Vintners and is regularly involved in a variety of wine industry symposiums and advisory councils. In November 2016, Wine Business Monthly named Corey one of the “Top 50 Leaders,” one of the most sought-after wine industry recognitions.

When asked about his true winemaking passion, Corey’s answer is always Petite Sirah. It’s not just Corey’s favorite varietal, it was a passion of his grandfather’s and one of the primary reasons Corey chose winemaking as a career.

“Harvest is not only about turning grapes into wine, but it’s a reflection of Mother Nature’s work throughout the growing season.”– Corey Beck

 George Christie

President & CEO / Wine Industry Network

Symposium Moderator

George Christie, a New Jersey native, settled in Sonoma County after college in 1991 where he quickly realized that the wine industry was where he wanted to concentrate his efforts. Since that time, he has been involved in nearly every aspect of the wine industry, from vineyard operations and grower relations to distributor realignments and national marketing campaigns. Always an active member in the wine community, Christie has also held board positions with the Russian River Wine Road, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley and the Sonoma County Vintners. In 2008, George and his wife Tami, along with the Saini Family, partnered to create Saini Vineyards, a winery specializing on Old Vine Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley.

In 2009, with Elizabeth 'E' Slater, George launched the Wine Industry Network (WIN). What began as an online directory has evolved over the years into one the leading B2B marketing and media companies serving the wine industry. WIN works with over 600 industry product and service providers and produces the Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), the 2nd largest trade show for the wine industry, along with the Wine & Weed Symposium, the Wine Industry Advisor news site and the Afternoon Brief daily news email with over 35,000 industry subscribers.

 Marc D. Hauser

Attorney at Law / Reed Smith

Topic: State of the Beverage Alcohol Industry Investment in Cannabis; What to Expect in 2021

Marc Hauser is Counsel and Vice Chair of the Cannabis Practice Team at Reed Smith LLP, a global law firm with over 1,600 lawyers worldwide. Nationally known as one of the country’s leading Cannabis attorneys, Marc’s entire practice is focused on the Cannabis industry (non-hemp and hemp), providing sophisticated legal services to industry participants nationally, and helping companies build relationships, manage risk, and get business done in constantly-shifting regulatory environments. His deep and broad base of connections throughout the industry gives him access to an extensive knowledge and skill set, benefitting clients and relationships.

Marc has over 22 years of experience as a deal and capital markets lawyer, spending the bulk of his career as personal deal counsel for Sam Zell, a Forbes-listed billionaire and active investor in Chicago. His current Cannabis industry clients include public and private single- and multi-state operators, market-leading ancillary businesses, investment banks and other financial services providers, lenders and real estate investment trusts, private equity funds and other investors, multinational CPG manufacturers, testing labs, cultivators, processors, and entrepreneurs.

In addition, Marc provides perspectives on the cannabis industry through speaking engagements, being frequently quoted in trade and business publications, and his periodic newsletter, Cannabis Musings, which has delivered his unique take on industry activities since 2018.

 Stephanie Honig

Director of Sales & Communications / Honig Vineyard & Winery

Topic: Is Cannabis a Good Thing for the Napa Valley? What Might This Mean for Wine Regions Across the Country

Stephanie Honig was born in Havertown, Pennsylvania. When she was six years old, she moved with her family to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Stephanie moved to Florida in 1994, where she attended Florida International University, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. While attending FIU she also spent time in Europe, studying at Oxford Brookes University in England. She then moved to Philadelphia and worked as a Sales Manager for Marriott Corporation.

In 2000, she moved to New York to pursue a career in the wine industry. While in New York, Stephanie worked as a Sales Manager for Clicquot, Inc., and in National sales for Rudd Winery. In 2005, she earned the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Higher Certificate and the WSET Diploma. Stephanie left Rudd Winery in 2006 to import her own wine brand from Argentina. She also taught wine classes at the French Culinary Institute in New York and at Florida International University.

In 2006, she moved to Napa Valley and married Michael Honig. Stephanie travels the globe developing Honig’s international and national presence and handles the public relations for the business. She has chaired the Public Relations Committee and serves on the Marketing Committee and the International Ambassadors Committees at the Napa Valley Vintner Association. She is active in raising funds for Type 1 diabetes research (her oldest daughter has the disease) and for gun violence. She is certified as a Feng Shui consultant and is a founding board member of the Napa Valley Cannabis Association. She lives on the Honig property in Rutherford with her husband Michael, their daughters Sophia and Lola, sons Sebastian and Santiago, and their dogs Raisin, Hunter and Dulce.

 Jessica Lukas

SVP of Commercial Development / BDS Analytics, Inc.

Topic: The COVID-19 impact on the Cannabis Industry Consumers and What it Means for Wine

Jessica Lukas is the SVP of Commercial Development at BDSA, the premiere market research firm serving the global cannabinoid industry. Jessica is one of the most sought-after market research experts serving the cannabis market, priding herself in making data come to life with storytelling and actionable insights. Together with her team, she works with manufacturers, retailers, and investors to deliver unmatched insights and analytics to drive their businesses forward. Prior to joining BDSA and the wild world of cannabis data, Jessica Lukas spent over 10 years working with and for top global CPG and beverage alcohol companies in insights, analytics, and marketing leadership roles.

 Kyndra Miller

Attorney at Law / CannaBusiness Law, Inc.

Topic: Is Cannabis a Good Thing for the Napa Valley? What Might This Mean for Wine Regions Across the Country

In 2009, Ms. Miller opened CannaBusiness Law, Inc. to serve the growing corporate needs of the medical cannabis industry in California. With over a decade of experience serving the cannabis industry, she has developed a loyal client base, a nuanced understanding of the complexities and needs of the industry, and deep relationships with key regulators in the State of California.

Kyndra Miller has approximately seventeen (17) years of corporate transactional, financing and litigation experience. Ms. Miller provides legal counsel to entities in the cannabis industry, including without limitation, cultivators, manufacturers, transporters, distributors and retailers. The Firm represents clients throughout the state – from Humboldt to Los Angeles county.

Kyndra Miller is a member of national NORML’s (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) Board of Directors. In February 2018, Ms. Miller was elected as the First Vice-Chair of NORML’s board. In addition, she was one of the founding board members of the NORML Women’s Alliance. Ms. Miller is also the current Co-Chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Section. Ms. Miller’s work as a Cannabis reform activist helps keep her and her team at CannaBusiness Law on the cutting edge of state and federal laws governing the new Cannabis Industry.

Kyndra Miller, Esq. received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC San Diego in June 1994. After graduating from Lincoln School of Law in San Jose in 2002, Ms. Miller opened an entertainment law firm in Los Angeles, CA and represented independent producers of television and film.

 Rebecca Stamey-White

Partner / Hinman & Carmichael LLP

Topic: State of the Beverage Alcohol Industry Investment in Cannabis; What to Expect in 2021

Rebecca Stamey-White is a partner with Hinman & Carmichael LLP in San Francisco, representing the alcoholic beverage, hospitality and cannabis industries and their service providers. Rebecca helps her clients with licensing and route-to-market strategy, regulated industry compliance and agreements, and defends them before regulatory bodies when their licenses are at risk. She is the firm’s cannabis practice leader but splits her time between alcohol and cannabis and is a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association's cannabis appellations committee, sits on the US Board of the International Wine Lawyers Association (AIDV) and is active in many wine and cannabis industry organizations. She started her law practice in big law with Kirkland & Ellis and holds BA and JD degrees from Northwestern University.