Our People

Patrick was born in Perth Amboy, NJ, and grew up in Pennsylvania and Michigan. He was a swimmer at Kent State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in history and political science and a Master’s degree in Public Policy. He began his professional career at the South Bend, IN Chamber of Commerce, but soon relocated to Woodland, CA to serve as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce there. In 1994, he joined the California Department of Labor and Workforce Development and continued to work for the State of California until he ‘retired’ in 2015.

For two years, he served as staff for the California Redistricting Commission. He ‘retired’ again in 2019… to focus more on the winery that he thought would be a fun thing to do in ‘retirement.’ He now serves as the ‘labor’ side of the winery team, operating the large and small equipment necessary for all of the winery’s viticultural and winemaking processes… specifically tractors and forklifts and pumps and filters, respectively.

He’s also been known to ‘take out’ various pests that wander onto the property and make things uncomfortable. And he loves showing visitors around and hosting tastings for old and new friends.

Angela was born and raised in northeastern Ohio. She was an art major at Kent State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in art education… and met Patrick. In 1990, after a brief career in the classroom, she gave birth to Cassidy, who has Down syndrome… which event shifted Angela’s professional focus for good! After spending several years as a ‘stay at home’ mom to Cassidy and Robert (the ‘little’ brother), Angela began what has turned out to be a very long career at WestEd.

She holds a Master’s degree in education from California State University, Sacramento, and provides training and technical assistance to professionals, agencies, and state departments who provide services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families through the IDEA Part C early intervention program. In 2022, she earned a Winemaking Certificate from UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.

For now, Angela conducts juice and wine analyses and makes recommendations for adjustments during fermentation and aging , pitches in on labor, assists with tastings, and tries to prepare great meals for the small crew of friends that loyally turn up to help with the harvest, the crush, and bottling. (Notice you haven’t read the word ‘retirement’ in this bio.) She may remove the ‘so-called’ from her title, once she has a few vintages under her belt.

Cassidy almost never works in the winery. BUT she has inspired one of our labels (Unconditional Wines) and an aspiration that we have for the winery. Once Sloughhouse Vineyard becomes a relatively sustainable business, we hope to partner with a local supported employment agency to provide training and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Robert lends a hand when and where he can—crushing, pressing, bottling, drumming up young, energetic friends to help do the heavy lifting. Maybe this will all grow on him!

Nigel, Gordon, Davide, Michael, Nicole, Sandra, Lourdes, Maura, Jessica… We are fortunate to have many friends and family who’ve taken an interest and shown up to help when we need them.