Our Team

---

 

Scott Meadows - Chief Executive Officer

Scott Meadows is a seasoned wine industry executive with over two decades of experience in winery management, winemaking, and business development. As the CEO of Maxville Winery in Napa Valley, Scott oversees all aspects of operations, from vineyard management to strategic growth, ensuring the production of world-class wines that reflect the unique terroir of Chiles Valley.

Prior to joining Maxville, Scott served as President of Silenus Winery for 15 years, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the winery as a premier producer in Napa Valley. Under his leadership, Silenus became a hub for both estate wines and custom crush clients, producing wines for the U.S. and international markets, particularly China. His expertise in operations, marketing, and winemaking contributed significantly to the winery’s growth and reputation.

Scott's journey into the wine industry was driven by a deep appreciation for fine wine and a passion for the land. After earning a degree in Political Science with a minor in Japanese from the University of Utah, he spent several years in Tokyo, working in marketing and advertising for global brands such as Christian Dior and Volvo. It was during his time in Japan that he developed an affinity for wine, a passion that ultimately led him to Napa Valley. In 2001, he transitioned fully into the wine industry, taking on leadership roles at Koves-Newlan Vineyards and then transitioning it to Silenus Winery.

Beyond his work in the wine industry, Scott has an extensive background in corporate management and technology, serving as Co-owner and COO of Kinection, a company specializing in interactive learning experiences for corporate, nonprofit, and government clients. He has also held leadership positions in nonprofit organizations focused on education, technology access, and cultural exchange, including PAX – Program of Academic Exchange and The Laurasian Institution.

Scott, his wife Yuko, and their two daughters reside in Napa, where they continue to enjoy the region’s rich agricultural heritage. When not managing winery operations, he can be found gardening, hiking, and exploring new wines from around the world. With his diverse background and leadership expertise, Scott brings a unique and global perspective to Napa Valley winemaking, guiding Maxville Winery toward continued excellence and innovation.

 

---

 

Bill Leigon- President

Bill Leigon has been active in the wine industry for over 49 years. Prior to his role as President of Maxville Winery he was the founder of Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, creating the highly awarded “Double Lariat” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the Reata, Light Horse and Whiplash brands.

Leigon became President of Smith and Hook Winery/Hahn Estates in January 2001. Under his guidance Hahn Family Wines was transformed into one of the premier Pinot Noir producers in the Santa Lucia Highlands. In 2002, Leigon created the groundbreaking HRM Rex Goliath! wines, which were successfully sold to Constellation Brands in 2005. Leigon then followed the success of HRM Rex Goliath! creating and launching the Cycles Gladiator brand in January of 2006. Cycles Gladiator was named by Wine Business Monthly as one of the Ten Hottest Brands in the US for both 2006 and 2008.

Mr. Leigon was co- founder and Managing Partner of The Wine Trust with J. Lohr Winery, Monticello Vineyards, and Grand Cru Winery. During his tenure as National Sales and Marketing Manager at J. Lohr, sales grew from 40,000 cases per year to over 600,000 cases per year. Several successful brands were created and launched, including the well-known Riverstone Chardonnay and Seven Oaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.

Beyond the world of wine, Bill Leigon is a community activist, vocalist, and artist. He was a founding director of the Napa Valley Repertory Theatre, has served as president of the Arts Council of Napa Valley, as well as the Napa Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and is a former board member of Napa Valley’s Music in the Vineyards.

 

---

 

"Colonel" Douglas Berlogar - Vice President of Hospitality & Operations

Born and raised in Napa Valley, Doug spent the last 20 years learning, honing, and sharing his love for wine, food, fun, and all things Napa Valley. His first job was for famed sparkling wine producer Domaine Chandon in Yountville. It was there that he caught the wine bug that brought him to work for Auberge du Soleil and then Dean & DeLuca, where he began doing wine pairings for nearly 80 different Napa Wineries and was featured on television shows “In Your Kitchen”  and “In Wine Country.”

Doug went on to work for the likes of Michael Chiarello, Falcor, Reynolds, and Monticello. Awarded the title of “Colonel” from the Governor of Kentucky in 2009 for his outstanding accomplishments in wine country, Doug says, “It just goes to show you, you NEVER know who you’re going to meet in this business, which is why you have to show everyone a good time. The most important thing to all of us is that our fellow oenophiles return to share in our passion and celebrate the beauty that is Napa Valley.”

---

 

Jeff Owens - Director of Winemaking

After spending 17 years with the PlumpJack Group as a consultant, winemaker Jeff Owens joined team Maxville for the 2023 harvest as a consulting winemaker.

Owens worked for PlumpJack following college as enologist and assistant winemaker and was founding head winemaker for Odette Estate where he scored his first 100 point wine.

A resident of Napa, Owens was a part of the first graduating class for wine and viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Jeff was promoted to Director of Winemaking in 2024, we're very excited to see what he has in store for us.

---

 

Tim Allen - Director of Operations & Facilities

Once described in the book Through The Grapevine, (Stuller and Martin) as “a thinking man’s cellar rat”, Tim Allen began a 44 year journey at Beaulieu Vineyard soon after mustering out of the US Marine Corps.  He began his long wine career in the Cellar as a General Winery Worker, ever improving his skills to ultimately earn the Cellar Sub-Foreman position, responsible for red wine fermentations.

11 years into his BV career, Tim went back to school nights to earn an AS Welding Technology Degree, his 3-year long effort fostered his promotion into BV’s Maintenance group.  After a time, Supervisor then Manager.  New responsibilities of BV Risk, Capital Projects, Maintenance & Facilities, were soon assigned to him.  Back to school again to accomplish CA State Water Distribution & Treatment Licenses to add BV and Provenance Water System Operator and potable water production to his responsibilities.  While leading at BV, Tim worked in support roles with Quail Ridge, Inglenook, Sagelands, Acacia, Moon Mountain, Rosenblum, Sterling, Provenance, Beringer & Chateau St. Jean.

In his “spare time” Tim was a volunteer classroom parent, coach of his children’s sports teams, Scoutmaster, Girl Scout volunteer, and Boy Scouts High Adventure Team Instructor.  He enjoys a rich life with Magic Sweet Geraldine, children, and grandchildren.

Tim came to Maxville Winery in 2019 to help with Capital Projects and Regulatory Compliance, bringing his now nearly 5 decades of experience to Maxville Winery.  He defines problems as opportunities, brings calm and steadiness, coaches us to do everything we do well, once. Tim as pictured is with his wife, he lovingly refers to as, sweet Geri.

---

 

Briana Mercado- Estate Chef

Chef Briana, a Southern California native, is a distinguished graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. Her culinary journey includes an enriching internship on the picturesque island of Maui. Passionate about seasonality and local ingredients, Chef Briana integrates her love for farming into her cooking. Her culinary expertise spans global influences, with a particular focus on Asian and Mexican cuisines.

---

 

Jakub Peško - Assistant Winemaker

Jakub Peško grew up in a celebrated wine region in Slovakia where he discovered his passion for winemaking at a young age. He had the unique opportunity to attend a high school with an over one hundred year's long tradition of teaching winemaking and viticulture practices. Upon graduating, he continued his studies in viticulture and wine production in the Czech Republic, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in this area. After working at a few renowned wineries in Slovakia, he decided to pursue an internship at Fairwinds Estate Winery in Calistoga. He later became their enologist and after nearly five years there, he embarked on his new role as Assistant Winemaker at Maxville in 2024. 

---

 

Caitlin Zitko - Marketing & Wine Club Coordinator

Caitlin is a Napa Valley native passionate about wine, hospitality, and communication. Their journey into the world of wine began in 2015 at Napa icon Chateau Montelena Winery. After leaving California in 2020, they took a 2-year break from working with wine while launching a marketing consultancy in Virginia. Unable to shake their love of the wine industry, Caitlin moved to Oregon in 2022, where they assisted the acclaimed Lange Estate Winery with their Tasting Room and Marketing operations. After being called back home to the sunny skies of California, Caitlin joined Team Maxville where she enjoys hosting guests from all over the world in one of the most serene and picturesque locations of Napa Valley.