Sue Robinson
President
Correcaminos Vineyard
president@rvva.org
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Sue began her vineyard/winery experience in the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja Mexico. When she and her husband, Doug, lived there full time They planted a vineyard and made wine till they sold the property in 2014. Their first vintage was 2012, In 2011 they planted the new vineyard in Ramona which has since become their winery-Correcminos Vineyard. Sue is the Winemaker and Doug is the machinery operator. As Hospitality Director Sue provides information and resources to the tasting rooms of the RVVA.
Virginia Boney
Vice President
Rancho San Martin Vineyard
vp@rvva.org
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Virginia (Ginny) has been a member of the RVVA for 8 years. She and her husband Gary own Rancho San Martin vineyard on the west end of Ramona where they have been growing Sangiovese and Tempranillo. They started making wine in 2016. “I am excited about the growth of this industry in Ramona; there are some extraordinary grapes growers and wine makers here in Ramona; and I am fortunate to be connected to so many talented folks.” Virginia joined the RVVA board in 2018.
Ben Payne
Secretary
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Ben is an Oklahoma kid and after college moved to California. He’s been a resident ever since and has grown to love wine. He bottled his first vintage in 2011 whilst living on the Central Coast. He purchased his Ramona vineyard in 2016 and in 2019 launched his winery, Vina Ramona. He’s fully immersed in service and hospitality now in Ramona. He owns and operates a few short-term rentals and retail space in Old Town Ramona and he truly loves serving up delicious wines to his clientele. Often asked, “why did you choose wine?” His answer is swift and simple, “I love the smell of the winery!” He’s an advocate for this town and our wine industry.
Carol S. Williams
Membership Director
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Carol joined the RVVA Board in July 2018. She recently retired after 28 years as a senior executive with United Way. Carol loves life in Ramona and enjoys the unique vineyard and winery culture that is so abundant here. Carol and her husband planted one acre of land under vines Spring 2018 and look forward to the adventures they will bring.
Teri Kerns
Programs Director
Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery
programs@rvva.org
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Originally from the Oregon Coast, Teri and her husband Micole moved to Ramona in 2004 after her naval service, which was followed by a career in business development in the Health Care industry, which she left in 2021. They started making wine in 2005, and in 2006 planted their first vineyard, Ramona Ranch Winery has focused on sustainability since its inception in 2004 and is San Diego County’s only Certified Sustainable Vineyard and Winery, a distinction they obtained in 2017. With horses, goats, chickens, and dogs and cats, they’ve created a home in the Country. They’ve planted an insectary, which invites beneficial bugs and birds to improve the biodiversity of the farm, recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, in addition to their sustainable certification.
They specialize in vineyard-specific, single varietal wines, like their Estate Tannat and Sangiovese, and their Super Tuscan Blend was awarded a Gold Medal at the Sunset International Wine Competition.
Her role is developing their business, including obtaining their winery bond and licensing as a commercial winery and overseeing the tasting room, while handling the marketing and sales necessary to grow their business. Working to continually improve their sustainability, they use native cover crops, have owl boxes, and do not use herbicides on their property, believing that allowing nature to thrive will create the balance they seek in both their wines, as well as their lives.
Teri has an MBA, and recently obtained her Level Two WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Certificate.
Robin Dohrn-Simpson
Marketing Director
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I received my bachelor’s degree in International Business from San Diego State University.
Subsequently, I received a Feature Writing Certificate from UCSD and continued studying for my Business of Wine Certificate from SDSU.
I spent the first 26 years of my career as a travel agent and tour operator, traveling to over 75 countries, multiple cruises and even a Blimp ride!
I’ve lived in Brazil and speak Portuguese. But I still haven’t tried a Brazilian wine. What’s up with that?
My 2nd career has been as a writer. I’ve been at Poway Adult School (a school in the Poway Unified School District) for 20 years. Here I write the course catalogs, 4 times a year. I create programs for adults to have fun learning. Not the hard stuff. No tests. Just fun
My husband and I have traveled to many places throughout the world to learn about, taste, and enjoy wines from different regions. And of course with that comes the passion for foods of the regions also. Although I love and enjoy food, I don’t enjoy creating it. I always say “My job is to sit at our kitchen bar and entertain my husband while he cooks.”
As a freelance food, wine and travel writer, I’ve worked on building my brand in the different communities in which I write. From website design to social media. This field is always changing and there’s always something new to learn. I love to learn and am a constant student.
I currently write for San Diego News Group in three newspapers. I write restaurant reviews for the La Mesa Times Courier, the Mission Times Courier and the College Times Courier. This has been a great opportunity for me to stretch my writing skills and my culinary knowledge. (No, I don’t cook. That’s my husband Marc’s forte.)
Next up for 2023, retiring from the School District and traveling to Argentina in their summer (December) to taste the wines and perhaps learn how to dance the Tango.
Dave Billick
Director at Large
Ramona Valley Wine Region Magazine
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Dave currently serves as RVVA Vice President. He actively works to grow the wine industry in Ramona Valley as well as Highland Hills and has done so since 2006. He also is co-owner and VP of Marketing of Ramona Gold Olive Oil Co., Creative Director and co-founding Board member of the Ramona Art and Wine Festival as well as maintaining a constant involvement with the development and expansion of Ramona’s local events.
Karen Busser
Director at Large/Social Committee
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I moved to Ramona in 2011 from La Mesa. I soon learned I moved to a burgeoning wine region.
I joined the RVVA as Friend of the Wineries in 2016 and have been on the marketing committee since. My intention is to help introduce people to the valley.
I recently retired from Boeing where I was a Data System and Business Analyst writing software requirements and user guides, testing the software and training users on the software. My background helps me to promote the valley.
I am a WSET3 candidate. I took the courses to further my knowledge of wine in order to share that knowledge with others.
I look forward to helping grow our young AVA.