Small Team, Big Dreams

One evening back in 2011, our founders were searching for the perfect plot of land to open their new winery. Sitting with a bottle of wine, watching the sunset over the vineyards of a lush site in Dry Creek Valley, the group found themselves spellbound by the scenery – and the name “CAST” was born. Twelve years and thousands of bottles later (produced; not consumed), the sight still stops us in our tracks. And when you visit, we know it’ll do the same to you.

John Miller, a native of Las Vegas, NV and his wife Jacki co-founded CAST Wines in 2012. They met at Notre Dame and are life long fans of the Irish. John, a partner with Jack Seifrick in prior entrepreneurial ventures, is a member of CAST’s Management Board directing our long-term vision for the winery. The Millers and their family live in Henderson, NV.

Jim Demuth, college roommate at The Ohio State University with Jack Seifrick and lifelong friends, co-founded CAST Wines in 2012. Jim is a member of CAST’s Management Board, directing our long-term vision for the winery. Jim lives in northeastern Ohio where he oversees a major construction company. Additionally, Jim has interests in a North Bay vineyard management company.

Doug Williams chairs CAST Wines’ advisory board, assisting the winery with insights on everything from business issues to wine opportunities. A celebrated executive in the Medical Technology arena with a keen palate for wine, Doug and his wife Kathy, who reside in Dallas TX, are long-time friends, champions, cheerleaders, advisors and investors in CAST Wines.

Ashley Herzberg, believes that creative explorations in traditional, as well as novel, wines promote connections between classic and emerging wine enthusiasts. Leveraging her chemical engineering background and more than 15 years of winemaking experience, she encourages new techniques that explore the variety of world-class fruit available here in Sonoma County.

Ashley graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Chemical Engineering and the intention to go to medical school. After discovering that her passion was not in medicine, she decided to come to Sonoma County and work a harvest in a winery lab. One harvest quickly turned into an all-encompassing passion and love of winemaking with all the science, art, chemistry, engineering and fun behind it!

She started as a Lab Technician at Owl Ridge and then moved to Lab Manager, benefiting from valuable mentoring by some of the top Pinot Noir vintners in California such as Merry Edwards, Greg Lafollette, Anthony Austin and Scot Covington. Because it was a custom-crush facility with over 40 clients at the time, Owl Ridge provided her with the opportunity to gain the perspective and knowledge that would prove invaluable in her career.

In 2007 she became Enologist and then Assistant Winemaker at Mauritson Winery. She branched out on her own as a consulting winemaker in 2011, making wine for small family owned wineries in Sonoma County. Winemaking isn’t just a job for her; it’s her life. Her two young children are generally traipsing right behind her as she samples vineyard blocks. She loves to garden, cook and travel to wine regions all over the world in her spare time.

Read more about Women’s impact on local winemaking here!

Bryan is the Assistant Winemaker at CAST Wines. With a background rooted in science, Bryan brings a meticulous yet creative approach to his winemaking. He has worked to hone his skills in viticulture and fermentation to produce wines that balance precision with character. His commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention winemaking ensures that each bottle tells a story of both the land and the hands that shaped it.

Minnie brings over two decades of finance, accounting, and tax experience to the winery, with a career spanning roles in both public accounting and private industry. Minnie is a CPA and former partner at a regional firm, she has worked extensively with agribusiness and wine clients across California. A Northern California native, she now lives in Sonoma County and is excited to combine her professional expertise with her love of wine and community as part of the winery’s leadership team.

Originally from Westport, MA, Jordan brings over 15 years of experience in Boston’s vibrant restaurant industry. With a career spanning roles as a server, bartender, and most recently as a front-of-house manager and beverage director, Jordan is passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences. Having recently relocated to Geyserville, Jordan is embracing a fresh chapter while continuing to pursue excellence in hospitality. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys spending time outdoors, snowboarding, riding motorcycles, and caring for two beloved cats.

Originally from Wisconsin, David made his way to Sonoma County 25 years ago and never looked back. With a background in wine sales, hospitality, and front-of-house management, he’s all about making guests feel welcome and creating lasting connections. As CAST’s Wine Concierge, David brings warmth, great conversation, and a knack for helping people discover wines they’ll love. When he’s not at the winery, you’ll find him cooking up something tasty, cheering on Wisconsin sports teams, or kicking back to some Americana/ bluegrass music.