Program Speakers
License to Steal in conjunction with the Eastern Winery Exposition
Terri Beirne - Wine Institute
Eastern Counsel
Terri has been Eastern Counsel for Wine Institute since 2008, representing California wineries on legal and policy issues before Legislatures, ABC Boards, and other alcohol industry groups in seven mid-Atlantic states, where she manages all policy efforts that impact taxation, distribution, and shipment of California wine. Among other things, she helped to open Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to wine shipping. Terri speaks regularly at national trade meetings and conferences.
Before 2008, she practiced Virginia law at McCandlish Holton, representing wine, utility, and health care clients before the General Assembly, Administration, regulatory boards, and the State Corporation Commission. In 2001, when the federal courts struck down in-state winery shipping, delivery, and self-distribution privileges, Terri represented the Virginia Wineries Association in passing the first permit-based wine shipping law using Wine Institute language. In 2007, she lobbied to create the Virginia Winery Distribution Company (VWDC) to counter the loss of self-distribution. The Attorney General named her Special Counsel to establish and license VWDC. Terri received the 2009 Virginia Wine Industry “Person of the Year” award for her efforts. In 2007, she was named a “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business Magazine in the Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative Law category.
Terri has been an occasional adjunct professor from 2006 to 2024 at the University of Virginia, University of Richmond, and Piedmont Virginia Community College, teaching wine law to consumers and industry members. She summarized Virginia land use law for UC Berkley Law Professor Richard Mendelson’s 2023 legal text “Wine in America: Law and Public Policy.” In 2013, she secured the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level 2 Certification for trade professionals.
With an appointment from the Governor in 2007, Terri served on the George Mason University Board of Visitors. From 2011 to 2022, she served as Trustee and Chair of the George Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees. She was named 2019 Alumna of the Year by the Mason Alumni Association. In 2006, Terri was selected by the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors to represent the Midlothian District on an interim basis. Currently the Chair, she has served on the Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority since 2008. She was a Richmond City Council appointee to the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority from 1997 to 2005.
A 1988 undergraduate from George Mason University, Terri was a 1986 Governor’s intern and legislative aide in the 1987 and 1988 General Assemblies. She earned a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2000, clerking for the Virginia State Corporation Commission. From 1997 to 2004, she was a founding Board Member and Chair of Virginia Public Access Project, the non-partisan website tracking money in Virginia politics, and was a 1997 Fellow in Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. Prior to law school, she worked as Public Affairs Director at Richmond Regional Planning District Commission and Coordinator of the Virginia Conservation Network. Terri is currently the proud mom of a Virginia Tech Hokie.
Beth Costa - Wine Road Northern Sonoma County
Executive Director
Beth Costa is the Executive Director for Wine Road Northern Sonoma County, an association of 200 wineries and 50 lodgings.. In that roll she is responsible for creating the budget, managing staff and working with a committee to create and implement a yearly marketing plan. Beth oversees social media with a team that also creates the blog, newsletter and podcast to give visitors an insider’s view of Wine Road. In addition she facilitates the production of the Wine Road map and organizes educational seminars for members.
Beth is currently the chair for the Hospitality Advisory Board for Santa Rosa Junior College. She regularly partners with the tourism bureau in both Sonoma County and San Francisco on various press events. She also sits on the WIN Expo Advisory Board.
Prior to working for Wine Road, Beth spent nine years managing the tasting rooms at Kendall-Jackson. While there she hired and trained staff, developed a training manual and managed the tasting room budgets. In addition Beth worked with the club manager to develop sales techniques and was in charge of purchasing and merchandising for the various tasting rooms.
Before learning the ropes in the wine business she was a department manager and clothing buyer for a department store in Northern California.
Holly Fusco - Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Hospitality Manager
Before entering the wine world, Holly Fusco was a professional ballet dancer for over 15 years, most notably with The Pennsylvania Ballet. While performing in Philadelphia, she met her husband, Brandon, who was then the Beverage Director for Iron Chef Jose Garces’ restaurant group. Their shared love of food and wine opened Holly’s eyes to the power of hospitality in shaping lasting memories, sparking her interest in pursuing a second career.
After retiring from ballet in 2018, Holly and Brandon relocated to the Finger Lakes, a region they had fallen in love with during earlier visits. Eager to carve her own path, Holly began at Hermann J. Wiemer, first polishing glasses and packing shipments before moving into guest-facing tastings at Wiemer and its sister property, Standing Stone Vineyards. In these roles, she gained experience in wine club programming, event support, and tasting room development.
Seeking a more hands-on role, Holly became the Tasting Room Manager at Domaine Le Seurre. There, she broadened her expertise across all facets of winery life, from leading tastings and managing staff to assisting with production tasks such as bottling and bâtonnage. During COVID-19, she was the only on-site employee, running direct-to-consumer sales and later reopening the tasting room under new protocols. That chapter honed her ability to balance creativity, resilience, and leadership under pressure.
In 2021, Holly joined Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery as Hospitality Manager. This role allows her to combine her guest-focused mindset with a collaborative team and environment. She oversees tastings, winery events, direct-to-consumer strategy, shipping and fulfillment, and the Vinifera Wine Club. Her philosophy is simple: every guest is an opportunity. Whether welcoming a first-time visitor, a loyal club member, or someone celebrating a milestone, Holly trains her staff to connect personally, share the winery’s story, and create meaningful experiences.
Her impact has been substantial. At Dr. Frank, she helped evolve the tasting format into a more personal, seated experience that emphasizes education and storytelling, fostering deeper connections with guests while driving growth in sales and memberships. She also launched Eugenia’s Garden, an open-air, flexible space offering wines by the glass, bottle, or flight alongside a seasonal garden-driven food program. Despite operating only half the year, it has already become a million-dollar revenue stream. Holly also introduced the Holiday Market, now the winery’s largest
annual sales event, showcasing more than 30 local artisans. In addition, she has strengthened community ties through collaborations on unique products such as Rkatsiteli wine jam, rosé salt, and custom chocolates—offerings that enrich the tasting experience and extend the winery’s story.
Outside of work, Holly is focused on her family life and is the founder of Nouveau Flower Farm, where she grows and arranges flowers for local partners. She also holds an associate’s degree in Fine Art Photography from the Academy of Art University, a background that continues to inform her eye for detail and aesthetics.
Brittany Gibson - Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Executive Director
Brittany Gibson has served as the Executive Director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail since 2018, where she leads one of the most recognized and successful regional wine organizations in the country. With a career rooted in tourism and wine marketing, Brittany brings both strategic insight and genuine enthusiasm to the business of building brands and destinations that inspire connection.
A passionate advocate for research-based marketing, Brittany believes the strongest strategies are those grounded in data and designed for collaboration. Her leadership extends well beyond Seneca Lake: she is Vice Chair of WineAmerica’s State and Regional Association Advisory Council, where she recently launched a marketing-focused subgroup to foster knowledge sharing and innovation across the U.S. wine industry.
Deeply engaged in her community, Brittany serves on multiple regional boards, is Vice President of her local school board, and President Elect of her Rotary Club. She also played a leading role in writing her village’s comprehensive plan and reestablishing its long-dormant Merchants Association.
When she’s not championing Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes wine region or mentoring emerging leaders, Brittany is a proud mom of three young children—balancing board meetings, marketing strategy, and bedtime stories with equal passion and purpose.
Michael Kaiser - WineAmerica
Vice President
WineAmerica Vice President Michael is the main point of contact for the organization, Congress, and the Executive Branch. Working with WineAmerica's government affairs team, Michael works to make sure the interests of WineAmerica's members and the American wine industry are well served in our Nation's Capitol. This includes working with the various state and regional winery associations and WineAmerica's grassroots network, as well as our other alcohol commodity partners in Washington, D.C.Michael also manages all external communications for WineAmerica. This includes press outreach and membership communication. Michael also actively recruits new members for WineAmerica while getting the association’s message out to the masses. Michael is a regular fixture at industry trade shows and conferences throughout the country. He has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, Wines and Vines, and Wine Spectator. He is a board member of the Free the Grapes. Before joining WineAmerica in 2006, Michael provided research and logistical support to two DC-based lobbying firms. He also handled compliance issues with a major political party. Michael earned his BA in American Studies and Political Science from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, and an MA in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.
Rachel Martin - Oceano Wines
Co-Founder, CEO, and Winemaker
Rachel Martin is Founder & CEO of Oceano Wines and creator of Oceano Zero, a pioneering luxury non-alcoholic wine collection. She is also Co-Founder, Author, and Lead Instructor of AFNA Wine Certified™, the world’s first professional certification dedicated to non-alcoholic wine. Martin’s role as Executive Vice President at Boxwood Winery led her to author the successful 2012 petition establishing the Middleburg, Virginia AVA. She studied Enology and Viticulture at Napa Valley College and Wine Sensory Science at the University of Bordeaux, France. With more than two decades in the wine industry, Martin builds award-winning brands and is recognized as a leader in premium winemaking and the mindful drinking movement.
Title: Turning Moderation into Margin: The Non-Alcoholic Advantage
Non-alcoholic wine is no longer a niche—it’s a fast-growing category reshaping the way people drink. Valued at $1.12 billion in the U.S. in 2023 and projected to reach $1.72 billion by 2030, the market is driven by consumers who want to moderate their consumption without giving up the wine experience. For wineries, this creates new revenue streams, attracts fresh audiences, and keeps loyal customers engaged even as they drink less.
This session breaks down the essentials: where the demand is coming from, how to engage and market to these new consumers, how production choices shape quality, what compliance and labeling rules you need to know, and where the strongest opportunities lie in direct-to-consumer sales.
Brian Matson - Digital Marketing
Brian V. Matson has been at the forefront of the digital marketing industry since 2003, constantly pioneering new promotional programs that leverage emerging technologies and trends. His innovative work has earned him both the Explore Minnesota Marketing Excellence Award and the North Dakota Governor’s Award for Marketing.
A sought-after speaker, Brian is known for his engaging presentation style that makes complex topics accessible and memorable for attendees at state, regional, and national conferences. He’s a valuable asset for any business or organization looking to stay ahead of the curve, drawing on his extensive experience to develop cutting-edge marketing initiatives for a diverse range of clients, from major destinations and sports organizations to a wide variety of small businesses.
Davide Schiavetti, Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, PC
Attorney
Davide Schiavetti, an attorney at Rothwell Figg in Washington, D.C., assists clients in the wine, food, fashion, and automotive industries in building, protecting, and enforcing their brands. He advises on trademark and copyright matters, handling U.S. trademark prosecution before the USPTO and litigation in federal courts and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Davide works closely with clients to craft tailored strategies that strengthen brand identity and safeguard intellectual property, ensuring their creative and commercial efforts are fully protected. Originally from Milan, Italy, Davide is fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Stephanie Siegel - Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau
Executive Director
Stephanie has been in the marketing industry for 29 years, spending the last 11 as the Executive Director for the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau, where she has established the Ohio Wine Country brand. Her role has varied: Innkeeper for the Grapevine Bed & Breakfast at Debonné Vineyards, Marketing Manager for Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Marketing Director for the Cuyahoga County Public Library System, and Community Relations Director for Emeritus Senior Living. She is an active volunteer for Camp Sue Osborn for Special Needs, the Malone Scholarship Program, and is a foster for Lake Erie Labrador Rescue. Stephanie and her husband, PJ, have two boys, Patrick and Joey. On her list of favorites: hunting for Lake Erie beach glass, a turkey reuben at Briquette’s Smokehouse, and the sweet September smell of grapes in the Grand River Valley
Donniella Winchell - Ohio Wine Producers Association
Executive Director
Winchell coordinates the annual Vintage Ohio Wine Festival and the License to Steal marketing conference. She is past chair of the WineAmerica State Advisory Committee and is active in Winegrape Growers of America, the Ohio Travel Association, and serves on several other state and national committees. She is a member of the Ohio Agriculture and Ohio Wines Halls of Fame, a Rotary Harris Fellow, a member of the Knights of the Vine, and the recipient of the Monteith Wine Award.
In 2020, she was named an industry influential by Wine Business Magazine and in 2021 was awarded the Rich Smith Award of Excellence in American Wine. In 2022 the Wine Industry Network named her one of the industry’s ten most inspiring people. She has contributed to several national wine publications, writes weekly wine columns for a dozen Ohio print and online publications, authors a marketing e-letter called Tuesday Tidbits, and speaks at numerous wine and tourism conferences.