Claudio Ponte
Managing Partner
A graduate of University of California, Los Angeles' business school, Claudio has served on the boards of Winegrowers of California, California Association of Wine Grape Growers, the Wine Institute and the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. Claudio’s love for Italian wines and unique experiences led him to establish BOTTAIA Winery. After watching the growth of Temecula Wine Country become more and more lively and boisterous over the years, he recognized the need for a winery offering high-quality wines in a relaxing environment. Years of planning to make his vision a reality have finally culminated to the wine country oasis you can experience today. Needless to say, he can’t wait to share it with you…
Sharlee Martin
Winery Manager
Sharlee is a Southern California native who discovered an interest in wine during a soil science class in college. After studying Agriculture Business at California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo, she returned to her home town of Temecula. Sharlee has spent over a decade immersing herself in the Temecula Valley wine industry focusing on viticulture, viniculture, sales, and hospitality, with an intense passion and dedication for the industry. As the Winery Manager at Bottaia Sharlee is focused on educating members and guests about our exceptional estate collection of wines and providing a memorable experience for all visitors to the Winery.
Lyvette Johnson
Wine Club & Online Store Manager
Lyvette oversees everything Wine Club, and if you’ve given us a call, you’ve likely heard her warm, welcoming voice. A Michigan native, she received her bachelors degree in Hospitality & Hotel Management, spending the first part of her career working in the hotel industry before working at Ponte Winery as the Wine Club Manager. Lyvette’s education, experience and exceptional character left us with no questions – we knew she was a perfect match for the refined elegance that BOTTAIA exemplifies. When she’s not in the office, she spends her time working out (Zumba is her class of choice), traveling and experiencing the beauty of wine country.
Jack Fagundes
Vineyard Supervisor & Assistant Winemaker
After catching the wine bug and making a career switch, Jack graduated with a degree in Viticulture & Enology from University of California, Davis. He then built his cellar experience chasing harvests in New Zealand, Portugal, and Washington, before sharpening his vineyard knowledge in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Seduced by the warmer weather and promising future of Temecula’s Wine Country, Jack is excited to have one hand in the cellar and another hand in the vineyard in his new role with our stellar team. A native of Brazil, if he isn’t watching or playing soccer, he is planning his next outdoor adventure.
Don Crank III
Consulting Winemaker
In his own words, Don is a “scientist by training and a passionate winemaker.” After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Biochemistry and Food Science, he discovered his love of wine. With more than 16 years of experience in the winemaking world, Don considers winemaking to be an art, each wine a culmination and an expression of the place in which it was grown.
