Our Team
Small but mighty, our team brings cumulative decades of experience and the shared vision of creating a premium Napa Valley wine program.
Mathew Bruno
It is safe to say that winemaking is in Mathew Bruno’s blood. Long before he produced his first vintage of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Bruno’s Italian-born grandfather and great grandfather had been growing grapes and making wine in their home cellar for more than 50 years. As a child growing up in Modesto, California, he recalls fond memories of his family gathered around the table. Noting at an early age how wine brought his uncles, father, and friends together. A light, pink-hued concoction of 7-Up combined with a drop of red wine was Bruno’s official indoctrination to the coveted beverage at the tender age of 10.
After completing his degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bruno along with his father Matt and brother Tony decided to take their passion for good wines to another level. Along with winemaker Stephens Moody, an accomplished winemaker and family friend, Bruno went about sourcing the best grapes they could find from highly distinguished vineyards in the hopes of producing exceptional wines.
They were able to secure grapes from one of the most acclaimed vineyards in Rutherford, and their efforts paid off. His inaugural release, the 2009 Mathew Bruno Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, debuted to critical acclaim and sold out quickly. The second vintage, the 2010 Mathew Bruno Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon received a score of 91 points from the Wine Spectator and was picked up by Bounty Hunter Rare Wines & Spirits, which added Bruno’s Cabernet Sauvignon to their well-regarded catalog and website.
Today, the brand continues to grow and prosper under Bruno’s leadership, receiving top scores from renowned critics and publication in numerous lifestyle publications including Fortune magazine and Forbes magazine. Bruno credits his father and grandfather for instilling in him the importance of bringing family together through the appreciation and enjoyment of good food and wine.
Bruno and wife, Natalie, have two children, Camila and Biagio.
Natalie Bruno, Chief Emotional Supporter
The heart behind the operation, Natalie Bruno keeps the Bruno universe running with equal parts encouragement, problem-solving, perfectly timed reality checks, and an unwavering commitment to making sure everyone is having a good time.
As Chief Emotional Supporter, Natalie specializes in celebrating the wows, bringing the positivity, and keeping everyone moving forward. She has an uncanny ability to know when the team needs a pep talk, a laugh, a little perspective, or simply to stop taking everything so seriously.
Her unofficial responsibilities include morale management, strategic pep talks, positivity enforcement, fun facilitation, and making sure nobody forgets why they started in the first place.
Natalie has been there since Mathew Bruno was simply a dream. She even assisted with the original guest room closet ferments, back when the Bruno dream was quite literally fermenting at home.
From those humble beginnings to where Mathew Bruno stands today, Natalie has been instrumental in keeping the dream alive, the team grounded, the vibes in check, and the fun firmly on the agenda.
Tony Bruno
Like Mathew, older brother Tony Bruno grew up around the same family table quickly developing an admiration for good wine and good company. From the very idea, over a decade ago, to the continuously growing brand today, Tony has been there for every step of the adventure.
Bruno graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Marketing. An active member of the Ag industry and local community, Bruno serves as President of TDR, Inc., the Bruno Family’s general contracting company, established in 1972, specializing in agricultural, industrial and commercial construction. Bruno also manages the operational side of his family’s portfolio of commercial, industrial, retail, and residential properties.
He has three children, Francesca, Matteo, and Rocco.
Stephens Moody, Winemaker
The 12 years of various winemaking and business experience does not create the extensive picture of Stephens on his canvas of life. A second generation winemaker, Stephens grew up on the grounds of the Petri Winery in Escalon, where his father, Ed, was a winemaker for Italian Swiss Colony. Stephens was a participant in the wine industry throughout his adolescent years in all walks of winery life. After studying abroad at Lund University, Sweden and Durham University, England Stephens returned to California and graduated from Santa Clara University. Stephens went to work for the world’s largest barrel producer, Copperage 1912, living in the Midwest and honing his barrel knowledge before returning to California to become a fulltime winemaker. Stephens’ first professional winemaking tenure was at Bronco Wine Company for six harvests during the creation of the successful Charles Shaw brand. Stephens directed all aspects of production during his years at Bronco from the barrel program to the red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. Stephens then ventured South to make wine in Argentina, as he desired to expand his conversation ability with the Spanish language. Upon returning to the States, Stephens shifted his focus to small lot Russian River Chardonnay and Pinot Noir programs, as a winemaker for the prestigious estate producer Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards.
Dr. Nichola Hall, Winemaker
In 1997 Hall graduated from University of Abertay, Dundee, Scotland with a BSc. (HONS) in Microbial Biotechnology. She then traveled to Perugia, Italy to work in the laboratory of Prof. Alessandro Martini on the taxonomic classification of wine yeasts. Upon returning to Scotland, Hall began her Ph. D in Yeast Physiology and Fermentation Science and in 2001; she graduated from the laboratory of Prof. Graeme M. Walker. In 2002, she took up the post of Director of Microbiology at Bronco Wine Company.
In March 2009, Hall joined Scott Laboratories. In her current position she serves as a technical consultant for all areas of enology with a particular focus on fermentation management, microbial nutrition, wine microbiology and analysis and winery hygiene.
Hall is the Past-President of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture (ASEV), and acts as a consultant on fermentation practices and implementation for Mathew Bruno Wines.
Ashley Lewis, COO
Born and raised in the Central Valley, Ashley received her degree in Marketing from California State University, Chico. Throughout her time in Chico, she interned at the Chico Chamber of Commerce assisting with community programs and events.
Upon graduation, she moved to Napa to join the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG), a nonprofit organization representing over 690 Napa County grapegrowers, vineyard owners and associate businesses. While at the NVG, Ashley developed educational programs and events for Napa County growers, winemakers, vineyard owners & vineyard managers. She assisted in the creation of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and in the development, implementation and execution of its programs reaching over 2,500 farmworkers and their families.
In 2015, Ashley joined G3 Enterprises, Inc., an industry leader in packaging and supply chain services. Throughout her time at G3 Enterprises, Inc., Ashley was responsible for coordinating and implementing marketing programs and initiatives, and oversaw sponsorships and events.
In 2017, Ashley joined Mathew Bruno. She and husband, Ryan, have two sons, Noah and Owen.
James DeLuca, Estate Director
While James DeLuca is a native of Rochester, New York, he deems Napa Valley his true home. A resident since 2006, the region’s bounty effortlessly complements his love of fine wine and flavorful cuisine.
With over two decades of service in world-class hotels, resorts, and vineyards, he brings extensive expertise to the position of Estate Director for Mathew Bruno. His enthusiasm for hospitality is matched by his acumen for sustainable business growth and creating exceptional guest experiences – making him a significant asset in the brand’s ongoing success. For him, it is a privilege working with Mathew Bruno, whose mission is to create fine wines that express Northern California terroir.
An honors graduate from Amherst College in 1999, DeLuca’s hospitality career began at The Point, the only five-star resort in Upstate New York, before he relocated to California. To date, he has tenured many of California’s finest luxury properties, including Resort at Squaw Creek in North Lake Tahoe, The Standard in Downtown Los Angeles, Senza Hotel in Napa Valley, North Block Hotel in Yountville, Trefethen Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, and the Bardessono Hotel & Spa in Yountville.
DeLuca is affiliated with several Napa Valley charities, including 4H, Ag for Youth, and his wife’s organizations, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. He previously served on the boards for the Yountville Chamber of Commerce and the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce. Having grown up playing basketball, football, and lacrosse, DeLuca is a sports and outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys volunteering as a youth coach with Napa Force Lacrosse and vacationing in Lake Tahoe with his family.
Taylor Enriquez, Director of Hospitality and Corporate Sales
Taylor Enriquez’s career in wine began with a strong foundation in agriculture. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agricultural Business, Taylor started her career at E. & J. Gallo Winery, where she interned in the winemaking department. That experience provided an early look at the work and dedication behind the wine industry and set the foundation for her career. Taylor went on to spend six years at McManis Family Vineyards, working in marketing and bulk wine sales. During her time there, she developed a broad understanding of the wine business while building relationships throughout the industry. Her experience also shaped an appreciation for the importance of genuine, long-term relationships and the people who make the wine industry what it is.
Today, Taylor serves as Director of Hospitality and Corporate Sales at Mathew Bruno Winery, where much of her focus is on taking care of the winery’s members and building meaningful relationships with corporate partners. She enjoys getting to know members, being a resource for them, and making sure they feel connected to the winery long after they leave the tasting room. For Taylor, hospitality is about more than simply creating a great experience, it’s about making people feel valued and becoming someone they know they can count on. She especially appreciates the opportunity to build relationships over time and to be part of the milestones, celebrations, and everyday moments that bring people back to Mathew Bruno. With a background spanning winemaking, marketing, sales, and hospitality, Taylor brings a genuine appreciation for both the business and the people behind wine.