Trent Preszler, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer As CEO, Trent has led Bedell through its important brand, facility, and personnel transformations during the past 10 years of Michael Lynne's ownership. A native of South Dakota, Trent earned degrees from Iowa State University and Edinburgh University (UK), and holds two degrees from Cornell University: an M.S. in Agricultural Economics and a Ph.D. in Viticulture. Previously he worked at The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Royal Botanic Garden, and has written articles published by Oxford University Press, the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, and the Huffington Post. He serves on the Board of Directors of WineAmerica and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

WINEMAKING

Seferino Cotzojay, Assistant Winemaker A native of San Raymundo, Guatemala, Seferino grew up working on his family's farm, and as a teenager he moved to Arizona and eventually to New York. His unexpected path into winemaking began in 2005 when he joined the Bedell team as a harvest intern and his dedication and hard work was quickly noticed. He has been a consistent force in the cellar ever since, promoted first to Cellar Master in 2007 and then Assistant Winemaker in 2011. Seferino's passion for winemaking is expressed by his connection to the land around him and the different nuances expressed in each lot of grapes. His infectious energy makes him an invaluable member of the Bedell team, and he proudly carries the flag for Bedell as one of the only Hispanic winemakers in the United States.

VITICULTURE

Dave Thompson, Vineyard Manager Dave has been associated with the Long Island wine industry since 1980. In 1981, he planted Ressler Vineyards and managed it until joining Kip Bedell for Kip's first vintage in 1985. He has been with Bedell ever since. Dave is a member of the board of the Long Island Vineyard Technical Group, the Long Island Grape Research Advisory Committee, and the Long Island Sustainable Agriculture program.

Donna Rudolph, Assistant Vineyard Manager Donna joined us in November '96. Although she had no formal training, she came to us after 15 years at Ressler Vineyards, where, coincidentally, she and Vineyard Manager Dave Thompson worked together for 3 years. Her favorite tasks in the vineyard are "pruning and tying, and learning how to get the best fruit from the vine." She is responsible for making certain that the crew gets their jobs done. Make sure you're not standing too close if you ask her, "Do you step on the grapes?"

SALES

Matthew Rizzo, Wholesale Manager A Long Island native, Matthew joined the Bedell Cellars team in the summer of 2003 as a seasonal tasting room employee, while attending the University of Massachusetts. Since joining the Bedell team, Matthew's role with the winery has grown along with his knowledge of wine. He has assisted with the management of the tasting rooms, and was an integral part of helping to launch the now-famous Bedell VIP Tour program. Matthew has flourished in his new position as Wholesale Account Representative, a role which requires him to be a perpetual motion machine, constantly on the road bringing his affable charm to Bedell's dedicated wholesale customers. Matthew has dramatically expanded the presence of Bedell wines in restaurants and retail shops in the Northeast's most luxurious coastal resort communities: The Hamptons of Eastern Long Island, the Berkshires and Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island.

Joseph Scala, New York City Sales Manager Joseph is originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, and developed an early fascination with wine that naturally segued into the restaurant scene while he was a student of art and graphic design at Boston University, Academy of Art College—San Francisco, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Now a 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Joseph has worked in front-of-house service management positions at some of Manhattan’s finest restaurants, including Per Se, Bar Boulud, and Lincoln Ristorante at Lincoln Center. Joseph works tirelessly introducing Bedell wines to top restaurateurs and fine wine retailers in New York City, operating under his steadfast belief that the local farm-to-table food movement needs to be complemented by its local wine counterpart. He lives in The Bronx with his wife Erin, who is Head Sommelier at Public restaurant in SoHo.

MARKETING, HOSPITALITY & COMMUNICATIONS

Molly Deegan, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales Development Molly comes to Bedell with a wealth of experience in New York City, including her position as Executive Events Marketing Director for AOL since 2003. She has also held significant positions related to client relations and media events for Condé Nast's House & Garden Magazine, O the Oprah Magazine, and Robert Mondavi Winery. As part of Bedell's senior management team, Molly's primary responsibility is to oversee all aspects of management for the Wine Club and Tasting Rooms, in addition to developing integrated sales and marketing programs that drive revenue through targeted customer relationships. On a personal note, Molly resides in Sea Cliff, LI with her husband John and her four year old daughter Frances. She also owns a home in Mattituck.

Amy Finno, Senior Vice President, Events Amy Finno returned to her roots on the North Fork of Long Island in June 2009 to assume the position of Vice President of Marketing and Hospitality at Bedell Cellars, and was later promoted to Senior Vice President for Events. Her responsibilities include integrated marketing related to weddings and private events at Bedell and Corey Creek. She joined Bedell from VH1, where she had been Senior Manager of Integrated Marketing since 2006. While at VH1, Amy facilitated the marketing and selling of the VH1 Soul property to advertisers including developing the first franchise on Soul, titled VH1 SoulStage. Prior to her career at VH1, Amy spent six years managing sweepstakes and promotions and overseeing the Coca-Cola Company team at D.L. Blair, the innovative marketing consulting firm. She holds a B.S. in Marketing and Communications from Long Island University/C.W. Post.