The new BATW Board of Directors has been installed for 2026. A January retreat in Yountville, arranged by corporate partners Tom and Alex Fuller with Fuller & Sander Communications Incorporated, included a grand dinner at V. Sattui’s newly-remodeled Mercato del Gusto and an overnight at the esteemed Napa Valley Lodge.
The Mercato is an inviting marketplace with a selection of over 200 cheeses (and two cheese mongers) along with premium charcuterie, house-made desserts and V. Sattui’s award-winning wines. Visitors can also order freshly made sandwiches, panini and a variety of salads.
The Napa Valley Lodge is a beloved boutique hotel in the Napa Valley, owned by the Woodside Hospitality Group. The European-style hotel in the heart of Yountville has been family-owned and operated for a half-century. They not only hosted the BATW board of directors, they provided a conference room for our morning meeting.
Day two included an elegant hosted lunch at Bottega in Yountville and a surprise visit from co-owner Rich Frank, former Disney President and owner of Frank Family Vineyards, who regaled us with stories about the industry. Executive Chef Alex Espinoza prepared a thoughtfully-curated selection of restaurant favorites for the group with paired wines chosen by wine director Stephen Arnold.
The minutes for the board retreat will be posted, soon, under BATW BOD Meetings.
Your new BATW board of directors for 2026 is as follows:
Exec. Dir. – Ginny Prior
2026 BATW Board of Directors
Presidents – Amy Sherman
Vice President – Nicole Findlay
Secretary – Laura Kiniry
Treasurer – John Williamson
Members at large
Kahja Elliott
Jim Gladstone
Lalit Kumar
Shannon Gomes – Program Chair
Corporate Laison – Laurie Armstrong Gossy