Masterclass

Idea Spinner | Marketing Maven | Community Builder

Starting in Oregon's vineyards and leading through Virginia's bustling restaurant scene, my journey in wine has always been about bringing people together. As a former wine director in Richmond and Charlottesville, I've honed my skills in creating welcoming spaces. At Blenheim Vineyards since 2013, I've overseen everything from harvest to launching Oenoverse, blending my passion for wine with a commitment to community and education. Recently, I've been instrumental in marketing for the Monticello AVA, celebrated as the top wine region globally by Wine Enthusiast in 2023.

Matthieu was born in Crozes Hermitage in the Rhone Valley of France and comes from a family of viticulturists and wine lovers. He first studied viticulture and oenology at Beaune. After graduating in 1995, Matthieu worked in many wine regions around France and then worked in Italy and South Africa before settling in Virginia. Arriving in 2003, Matthieu has worked with wineries throughout Virginia and is a founding member of the Winemakers’ Research Exchange and Board Member of the Monticello Wine Trail. He enjoys being active the local winemaking community and challenging his skills through experimental design at King Family, working with different terroir at Turk Mountain Vineyards, which he currently manages, and partnering with his brother to establish and expand Domaine Finot in two regions in France.

Having spent a decade in the Virginia wine industry, AJ worked with and learned from many great Virginia winemakers and viticulturalists. She's excited to have found her home here at Hark, where she looks forward to using that knowledge to make excellent wines for a wide variety of palates. AJ is the current president of the Virginia Vineyards Association.

Ben Jordan began his career in Sonoma County and has worked in Virginia as winemaker at Early Mountain Vineyards, as well as GM and winemaker at Michael Shaps Wineworks. Alongside his brother, Tim, he oversees his family’s wine project, Midland, and associated vineyards planted on their Shenandoah Valley farm, Mount Airy. He recently co-founded the grape breeding program, ViRV, which works with the USDA and Virginia industry to develop resistant varieties that produce high quality wines in the state’s shifting climate. Been is also a co-founder and winemaker at Common Wealth Crush Co., where he also produces Lightwell Survey wines. Ben is a graduate of Duke University and received his MFA in playwriting from Carnegie Mellon University.

Françoise, a Belgian mathematician, and Julian, an Irish dentist, first met in bustling London just as Françoise was about to move to California. Julian followed her over, and together in the Bay Area they fell in love with the world of fine wine. Meeting scientists who had started their own vineyards led them to realize that they could one day turn their shared passion into a labor of love. Time marched on, and numerous wine tastings and viticulture classes helped to support their passion with a deeper breadth of knowledge.

Together, they moved to Washington D.C. and came to discover the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the hidden bounty of Virginia wines. In 2006, after a four-year search, they bought a horse farm and began the work of turning it into a vineyard during their weekends. In 2012, Françoise transitioned from her academic career to become a full-time vineyard manager.

Aubrey Rose grew up in Nokesville, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce in 2004. After several years in marketing roles in the D.C. area, she reconnected with UVA friend—and future husband—Justin Rose, whose family winery would eventually shape her career.

Aubrey’s interest in wine began with a Virginia Wine Festival visit on her 21st birthday, but it was a trip to Napa and her involvement in Rosemont Winery that deepened her passion. She joined the team officially as Sales & Marketing Manager and now plays a key role in day-to-day operations, brand development, and distribution.

Aubrey and Justin live in South Hill with their children, Jake and Taylor, and their senior dog, Madison. When they’re not managing life at the winery, they enjoy traveling—often with Rosemont club members on their annual river cruises.