Team

Robert Smith, Director of Winemaking

Growing up in Modesto, California, Robert constantly sets himself apart from expectations. His first job as a research intern at Gallo piqued his interest in fermentation, inspiring him to begin brewing craft IPAs and consider a career as a brew master. Luckily, it wasn’t long before the wine bug bit him and he jumped in with both feet. After securing his Baccalaureate in Enology from Fresno State University, Robert embarked on a wine journey with his first harvest internship at Quintessa in 2006.

Philippe Melka, Consulting Winemaker

On a whim, Philippe took a wine course in his final year of study at the University of Bordeaux while completing a geology degree – a moment that changed the trajectory of his life. He began his journey at Château Haut Brion where his passion for Cabernet-based blends and Sauvignon Blanc began and completed a Masters program in Agronomy and Enology. He was intrigued by the relationship between soil and wine quality, a fascination which continues today.

Ryan Shenk, Estate Manager

Email: ryan@quixotewinery.com

Born and raised in Napa, Ryan grew up in the heralded Napa Valley wine country. After growing up amongst the vineyards, he moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly. It was there that he developed a true love for wine and food while managing restaurants and he would stay on the Central Coast for 8 years pursuing that passion.

Lynn Kopper, Estate Host

Email: lynn@quixotewinery.com

Lynn joined the Quixote team in 2018 after making a life-changing decision to leave her career in advertising and relocate from the beaches of Long Island, New York to Napa Valley. Having always appreciated the beauty, tastes, and delights of wine country, the move allowed her to turn her love and knowledge of wines into her “day job.”

Patty Marshall, Estate Host

Email: patty@quixotewinery.com

Patty was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to California with her family at a young age. She worked in “corporate America” for 30+ years, but when her team moved to Houston, she decided to pursue other interests which lead her to Napa.

Emily Gude, Estate Ambassador

Email: emily@quixotewinery.com

Emily’s interest in wine was first sparked while working in the bustling Oakland restaurant scene and simultaneously studying Art History at the University of California, Berkeley, which allowed her love of art and appreciation of fine wines to develop alongside each other. After an opportunistic move to Napa in 2016, she jumped right into the wine industry, working at several notable wineries while broadening her knowledge of Napa Valley from a local perspective. Her first visit to Quixote, in 2018, for a tasting with colleagues, made a lasting impression because it combined her love of art and architecture with her appreciation for beautifully crafted wines.

Robby Temple, Cellar Master

Email: temple@quixotewinery.com

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Robby started his wine career in the Willamette Valley (OR). After two years of going back and forth from hospitality to production in the cellar, he left Oregon for a harvest internship in Chile.

Bryden Marshall, Hospitality / Harvest Intern

Bryden is our youngest team member and has been working at Quixote, supporting the hospitality team, since 2019 during the summer months. Daughter of Estate Host, Patty Marshall, she has learned the ins and outs of wine hospitality under her mom’s watchful gaze. Although working with family can be difficult, somehow, they make it work. Bryden is most often found working in the back of the house making cheese plates, buffing glasses or learning from the production team.

Horacio Sanchez, Landscape Manager

Horacio is the longest tenured employee here at Quixote Winery, having joined the team in 2008. In addition to meticulously taking care of all the landscaping on the property, he is an integral part of the production team during harvest. A man of many skills, he is the man we go to when we need something installed, fixed, or built.