The People Behind the Vine

Sarah Munson // CO-OWNER AND HEAD WINE DRINKER

Ms. Munson is a seasoned leader in retail brand development, consumer marketing and business operations. She most recently served both as general manager of Beauty.com and senior director of merchandising at Drugstore.com, where she was responsible for approximately $50 million in revenue. Previously, Ms. Munson was executive director of product development and marketing for Bumble and Bumble, where she created more than 30 consumer products for the Estee Lauder Company, managing everything from concept through manufacture and launch.

Prior to business school she worked as management consultant at Bain and Company and as a core member of the team at several early-stage companies. Ms. Munson's professional career has spanned the globe, including positions in San Francisco, Johannesburg, London and New York City. She is a member of the Board of Advisors of Fashion to Figure, a retail clothing chain based in New York City and volunteers as a member of the BRAVO board for the Seattle Opera. She has spent years participating in wine and food education programs, and is working toward an Advanced Diploma from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. Ms. Munson holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Pomona College. Although Ms. Munson has a difficult time choosing one favorite wine, her true love is Champagne.

Allison Nelson // CO-OWNER AND EXPERT WINO

Ms. Nelson is a proven business leader in both the private and public sectors. She has successfully launched and managed a number of companies and also has expertise in strategic management and finance. Ms. Nelson spent the past several years as co-founder and president of Bookmarks Publishing, a successful company that is growing on an international level. She continues to participate as both shareholder and board member.

Prior to Bookmarks, Ms. Nelson held several executive positions, including senior vice president of business development, corporate strategy and global services, as well as general manager of QRS Corporation, a publicly traded company with over $200 million in revenues and 10,000 customers. She has significant experience with business operations, strategy and finance as a Management Consultant with Bain & Co., as well as a retail industry investment banker for Kidder, Peabody & Co. and a sell-side equity analyst following retail for Credit Suisse First Boston. She also successfully opened the Dubai office and managed manufacturing, importing and retail operations for Far East Exports.

On the community front, Ms. Nelson has served in a leadership capacity for a number of local and national organizations. Ms. Nelson holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Wellesley College. While she lived and worked in California, Ms. Nelson developed a love for Carneros pinot noirs, Alexander Valley cabernets and Napa Valley chardonnays.