Cain has been involved in viticulture research and extension since 2007. He has presented at state, regional, national, and international academic and industry conferences, and developed and coordinated numerous extension workshops. Cain has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and extension publications. His research has an applied viticulture emphasis, and has recently been focused on cultivar evaluation, and pruning, trellising, and fruit-zone management as they relate to crop yield, fruit composition, and spring frost mitigation. As Viticulture Extension Educator at Penn State, Cain works with the Pennsylvania grape and wine industry to solve vineyard management issues and optimize crop production practices.

Before being appointed as the Colorado Wine Board's third executive director in July of 2023, Kyle spent 13 years as the CWIDB marketing coordinator. In 2017, Kyle was recognized for his efforts by Wine Enthusiast as one of the top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in the industry. Prior to working for the CWIDB, he worked at a small wine and spirits retailer for several years while in grad school where he also taught math and science courses at The Women's College of DU and at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. He also contributed to the wine industry as a writer; his work was published in some of the industry’s most prestigious wine publications, including Wine Spectator, Decanter, and Sommelier Journal. In 2017, he was elected to a two-year term as an at-large city council member. In 2021, he was elected as Littleton’s first directly elected Mayor and re-elected in 2025.

A Sacramento, California native and graduate of Adams State University in Colorado with a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry, Matt brings 22 years of winemaking experience spanning both large-scale and boutique production. A strong advocate for small wineries, he currently serves as Sales Manager for Pronektar Oak and Tonnellerie Radoux, where he specializes in the technical application of oak in winemaking. He also consults for small wineries in Lodi, California. 

Previously, Matt spent eight years as a technical representative for Laffort USA, providing expertise from crush to bottling. Passionate about the exchange of winemaking knowledge and techniques, he believes there is no single path to crafting exceptional wines. 

During the winter months, when he’s not immersed in wine, Matt volunteers as a ski patroller at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in California.

Dr. Oliver received her B.S, M.S., and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology with a focus on wine grapes from Virginia Tech. After graduating, she spent 3 years working with the Washington state grape industry for her postdoc. Charlotte took her position with CSU in Jul 2022 where her primary role is interacting with the Colorado grape industry and providing timely educational resources for commercial and backyard grape growers. Her current program goals are fill in the educational gaps between active research programs and the Colorado industry, evaluate the presence and distribution of grape viruses across the state, and diversify the production of table grapes on the Western slope.

Cain has been involved in viticulture research and extension since 2007. He has presented at state, regional, national, and international academic and industry conferences, and developed and coordinated numerous extension workshops. Cain has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and extension publications. His research has an applied viticulture emphasis, and has recently been focused on cultivar evaluation, and pruning, trellising, and fruit-zone management as they relate to crop yield, fruit composition, and spring frost mitigation. As Viticulture Extension Educator at Penn State, Cain works with the Pennsylvania grape and wine industry to solve vineyard management issues and optimize crop production practices.

Nathan is the founder of Vine Valley Analytics & Strategy, where he focuses on helping organizations unlock growth through data-driven insights and market-focused strategies. Drawing on years of experience in business intelligence, data analytics, and strategic planning, he has partnered with a diverse range of wine industry clients to solve complex operational challenges and drive sustainable results.

Zach Everett is the co-owner and winemaker at Magnetic Hill Winery in Moncton, New Brunswick, transforming the family’s strawberry U-Pick farm into one of Atlantic Canada’s premier wineries. Inspired by a trip to Germany, he spearheaded the transition from fruit to grape wines and oversees production of over 40 varieties. 

Nathan is the founder of Vine Valley Analytics & Strategy, where he focuses on helping organizations unlock growth through data-driven insights and market-focused strategies. Drawing on years of experience in business intelligence, data analytics, and strategic planning, he has partnered with a diverse range of wine industry clients to solve complex operational challenges and drive sustainable results.

Dr. Horst Caspari is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University and Colorado’s State Viticulturist. He holds the equivalent of a Masters and PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany. Horst was a PostDoc (1994) and Research Scientist (1995-2000) with the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand before joining CSU in July 2000. Current research aims to identify grape cultivars and rootstocks best suited to Colorado’s growing conditions; to develop best practices for soil and irrigation management; and to understand, avoid, and/or mitigate cold temperature injury.

Dr. Richard DeScenzo is the Microbiology Group Leader and Co-General Manager for ETS Laboratories.  ETS provides a range of chemistry and microbiology analyses to help clients in the winemaking process.  In addition to providing microbiology support for the wine industry, Rich focuses on helping clients with a wide range of other winemaking problems.

Rich received his Masters in Plant Pathology and Ph. D in Plant Biology at the University of New Hampshire, and conducted his postdoctoral studies on disease resistance genes in barley with the USDA/ARS at Iowa State University. He spent 10 years conducting research on grape genomics, development of molecular diagnostics, and fermentation monitoring in the wine industry prior to joining the ETS team.

Zach Everett is the co-owner and winemaker at Magnetic Hill Winery in Moncton, New Brunswick, transforming the family’s strawberry U-Pick farm into one of Atlantic Canada’s premier wineries. Inspired by a trip to Germany, he spearheaded the transition from fruit to grape wines and oversees production of over 40 varieties. 

A Colorado native, Stephanie Hicks has been a professional contract lobbyist in the State of Colorado since 2013 and is the founder and principal of Fransen Political Strategies, LLC. (FPS). FPS’s mission is to provide effective, results-driven lobbying, government affairs and legislative branch counsel to companies and non-profit organizations before the Colorado General Assembly, Executive Branch and local governments throughout the state. FPS focuses on growing each client’s profile and delivering victories through sound strategy and productive relationship building. FPS establishes relationships between its clients and elected officials in order to educate and advocate for clients’ interests on the issues impacting them. Stephanie is known and respected by legislators and staff for her ability to work successfully with both political parties to reach common ground, while not jeopardizing her clients’ interests. This is attributed to maintaining healthy and productive relationships with all stakeholders while preserving the highest ethical standards. 

Beginning in 2008, Stephanie has extensive experience working both in government and alongside it. She worked as the legislative aide to two ranking House members before transitioning to the government affairs team for a professional trade association. Stephanie has managed a diverse book of business and worked on a wide variety of policy areas such as healthcare, aviation, liquor law and hospitality, labor and employment, K-12 education, gaming, planning and infrastructure, real estate, animal advocacy and animal cruelty law and other small business interests. Stephanie has worked tirelessly to help Colorado’s small businesses navigate the devastating impacts of COVID-19. She successfully lobbied the General Assembly and Executive Branch to provide local restaurants with direct financial aid and tax relief. 

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Regis University. She currently sits on the Colorado Liquor Rules Working Group as a Governor appointed member.

Dr. Richard DeScenzo is the Microbiology Group Leader and Co-General Manager for ETS Laboratories.  ETS provides a range of chemistry and microbiology analyses to help clients in the winemaking process.  In addition to providing microbiology support for the wine industry, Rich focuses on helping clients with a wide range of other winemaking problems.

Rich received his Masters in Plant Pathology and Ph. D in Plant Biology at the University of New Hampshire, and conducted his postdoctoral studies on disease resistance genes in barley with the USDA/ARS at Iowa State University. He spent 10 years conducting research on grape genomics, development of molecular diagnostics, and fermentation monitoring in the wine industry prior to joining the ETS team.

Dr. Horst Caspari is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University and Colorado’s State Viticulturist. He holds the equivalent of a Masters and PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany. Horst was a PostDoc (1994) and Research Scientist (1995-2000) with the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand before joining CSU in July 2000. Current research aims to identify grape cultivars and rootstocks best suited to Colorado’s growing conditions; to develop best practices for soil and irrigation management; and to understand, avoid, and/or mitigate cold temperature injury.