Clif Family Winery

Kit Crawford, Owner & Founder

Kit inherited a passion for natural food from her mother and father who instilled in her the value of growing your own food and caring for the natural resources of the land. At Clif Family Farm, Kit has fun creating meals for family and friends from the organic fruits and vegetables that she grows on the Farm. Kit's interest in wine began when she worked at a popular artisan pasta, wine and cheese shop in San Francisco and expanded when she and Gary purchased a home and farm in the Napa Valley. Kit has a passion for animals and raises chickens and turkeys on the farm. Kit plays a very active role in her local and global community. As a St. Helena High School parent, she is very active in fundraising activities for the local community. As President of Clif Bar Family Foundation, she is responsible for the fiscal oversight of the foundation and its programs.

Gary Erickson, Owner & Founder

Gary has been cooking and baking since high school under the watchful eyes of his mother and grandmother. He began Kali's Sweets and Savories (named after his grandmother) in 1986 as a small bakery making calzones and gourmet cookies. Kali's went on to become Clif Bar & Company, the leading maker of organic energy food and drinks. Gary's love of food and wine began with his cycling trips through Europe. A day of cycling would inevitably end with a long meal and a great bottle of wine. The European's connection with their food was an inspiration for what would later become Clif Family Winery & Farm. Whether it's cycling in the French & Italian Alps or a mountain bike ride on his Napa Valley property, good food and wine are always part of the adventure. When he's not busy running his two companies, Gary can be found at home, cooking eclectic dishes for his family or playing jazz trumpet.

Bruce Regalia, Winemaker

Bruce joined the Clif Family Winey team in the Spring of 2010. Bruce comes from an Italian family that appreciates both food and wine. He grew up drinking wine and as he says "always liked to ferment things." That's why we also find him brewing beer, making vinegar, you name it. Bruce studied plant and soil science in college, focusing on viticulture and began his winemaking career in Mendocino County where he studied under Tom Lane at Navarro Vineyards. From there he moved on to Obester Winery and Duckhorn's Goldeneye where he became winemaker and GM. All that time in Anderson Valley made him somewhat of an expert on Pinot and it's still his favorite varietal. Bruce now consults for several Napa Valley wineries and we are all thrilled to be working with him.

Sarah Gott, Consulting Winemaker

Sarah joined Clif Family Winery as consulting winemaker in early 2007. Sarah's experience working with premium Napa Valley wineries, her interest in organically sourced wines, and the fact that she is a great triathlete make her a perfect fit for Clif Family Winery. Graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in Viticulture and Enology, Sarah began an internship in 1993 with Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the Napa Valley, one of California's most esteemed wineries. She quickly moved up the ranks to winemaker and remained there until 2002. Sarah left Joseph Phelps to become winemaker at Quintessa where she focused on producing a Bordeaux-style red wine. Sarah now spends her time building Joel Gott Wines with her husband, and consulting for a few Napa Valley wineries, including Clif Family Winery.

Colby Eierman, Consulting Gardener

Colby has been working with Clif Family Winery & Farm since Fall 2010, helping us develop our new garden, CSA program and sensory garden at out tasting room. Colby has extensive experience in farm and garden design and management working with Copia, Benziger Family Winery, Medlock Ames Winery and many other wineries and restaurants with a focus on local and sustainable farming. Colby has a Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Oregon and a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture from UC Santa Cruz. In Spring 2012, he will release his first book titled "Fruit Trees in Small Spaces".

Anna Callaway, Master Chef

Anna's childhood summers were spent on her grandparent's farm eating ripe, fresh fruits and vegetables. This fueled her passion for food and she began cooking at 8 years old. Studying food science at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, she learned about how to manufacture healthy foods and bring them to market. Anna spends her time searching for great tasting, gourmet ingredients and bringing them together in innovative recipes. Anna has developed many products for national brands and now enjoys working with the Clif Family Winery team to develop new products for Gary and Kit's Napa Valley.

Linzi Gay, General Manager

Linzi studied business at Cal Poly State University and then joined the marketing group at Clif Bar & Company where she worked on many unique and exciting projects. Wanting to move back to her Napa Valley hometown with her husband, she left Clif Bar and worked for several wineries before reconnecting with Gary and Kit in the early stages of Clif Family Winery. She has been with Clif Family Winery since 2007, becoming General Manager in 2009. Linzi's love of food, wine and organic gardening are all brought together at Clif Family Winery. She has also picked up cycling and joins the weekly group rides at Velo Vino. Linzi also has a two-year-old son who keeps her very active.