Our People

Tracy Dauterman
Marketing Manager, Tasting Room & Hospitality

A California native and graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Tracy returned to California in 2007 to wet her feet in the wine industry after spending three years on the east coast working for management consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton. She began her career at JUSTIN as the Sales & Marketing Coordinator, working with both wholesale and direct to consumer teams to develop point of sale material. From there she moved on to her current position overseeing the entire winery experience -- the Tasting Room, JUST Inn, and Restaurant. Outside of work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her husband, their two cats, Mew and Ovie, and their golden retriever Cami. 

To reach Tracy Dauterman, tracy@JUSTINwine.com

Mike Giese, CSW
Tasting Room Manager

Mike joined the JUSTIN team as a tasting room attendant in April of 2008.  He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agricultural Business and minors in both Wine & Viticulture and Economics.  He started off his wine industry career with a "learn by doing" approach as a harvest intern at Meridian Vineyards on the east side of Paso Robles.  At Meridian, Mike spent time in the vineyards, in the lab, alongside the winemakers, and in the tasting room, learning several aspects of the wine business.  While attending Cal Poly, he also worked at Taste, a local wine shop in downtown San Luis Obispo.  In 2011, Mike received his level 1 Sommelier certification, as well as his Specialist of Wine certification (CSW), and plans to keep exploring and sharing his passion for wine with those around him. 

Outside the winery, Mike enjoys studying and tasting wine, as well as living an active lifestyle. Whether cycling, running, backpacking, or hiking, Mike loves being outdoors and enjoying life on the Central Coast.

To reach Mike Giese, CSW, mike@JUSTINwine.com

Bruce Cooper, CSW
Tasting Room Supervisor

Bruce, a native 'Michigander', graduated from Western Michigan University and moved to Irvine, California where he resided for twenty six years. Bruce was very active in the entertainment industry, performing, recording and touring with his swing vocal jazz group 'Vocalworks' for over two decades. Though music brought him to California, his other passion...wine, eventually led him to Bristol Farms in Newport Beach where he was a Wine Specialist for nearly seven years. Believing that working for a winery would be a dream job for any wine professional, he moved to Paso Robles and joined JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery in April of 2005. He has made many new friends here and loves the natural beauty and diversity of this gorgeous land he now calls home.

To reach Bruce Cooper, CSW, Bruce@JUSTINwine.com

Chris Jahns, CSW
Assistant Tasting Room Manager

Chris Joined the JUSTIN Team in the Winter of 2007 as a part time Tasting Room Attendant. He moved to the central coast from the Bay Area in 2004 to study Philosophy and Political Science at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. In 2005 while studying for the LSATs and prepping for Law School he took a part time job as a cellar worker and tasting room attendant at a small Paso Robles Winery. While digging out his first tank he was bit by the wine bug. Soon after he changed his major to Wine and Viticulture, with an emphasis in enology. In 2006 he worked as a harvest intern for Ancient Peaks winery in Paso Robles. Even though he greatly enjoyed working in wine production, he realized that his true passion was sharing his love of wine with others.

In the summer of 2008 Chris came on full time at JUSTIN after finishing at Cal Poly. He put his production knowledge to use as the JUSTIN Wine Educator leading the Tour and Education program for 2 years before becoming the Wine Society Lounge Coordinator and then taking his current position in the Spring of 2011. He has continued his wine education by becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators as well as take the Court of Master Sommelier’s Level 1 certification. He plans to take the Certified Sommelier exam by summer of 2012.

When not introducing guest to JUSTIN Wine Chris enjoys studying Existentialist Philosophy, contemplating the merits of Belgian Ale, and preparing meals for friends. He lives in Downtown Paso Robles with his wife Kristy and a lucky black cat named Josie.

To reach Chris Jahns, CSW, chris@JUSTINwine.com

Jim Gerakaris
Winery Sommelier & Wine Educator

Jim Gerakaris joined the JUSTIN team in April of 2008. He brings a variety of experiences as a long-time wine enthusiast and from his travels while in domestic and international equipment sales in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Jim is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators. He is a popular part of the education staff at the winery due to his ability to convert complex wine topics into easily understandable and entertaining learning experiences for our guests through seminars, tours, and through his writing. Jim's passions include cooking, eating, and studying the wines and cuisines of various food traditions. He is active in the local food environment and enjoys using his wood-fired brick oven, which he built, to prepare meals and to share with friends.

To reach Jim Gerakaris, jimg@JUSTINwine.com

Brian Connor, CSW
Wine Society Lounge Coordinator

Brian joined the JUSTIN Team in March of 2009 as an intern through Cal Poly. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Sales and International Marketing and a minor in Wine & Viticulture. Before joining JUSTIN, Brian worked as a chef for several central coast caterers, where is passion and curiosity for food and wine pairings was ignited.

Brian is currently studying for his Level 1 Sommelier certification and is going to be taking the exam in May of 2012.

In his time away from the winery, Brian enjoys playing soccer, brewing beer, photography and spending as much time as possible exploring everything the beautiful central coast has to offer.

To reach Brian Connor, CSW, brian@JUSTINwine.com

Jessica Luke
Merchandise Buyer & Tasting Room

Jessica, more commonly known as Sica (pronounced "see-ka"), joined the JUSTIN team in June of 2010. She started working in the Wine Society Lounge and then moved over to the Tasting Room to take over as the Merchandise Buyer. Sica graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Wine and Viticulture. Before joining the JUSTIN team, Sica was the assistant manager at a restaurant in San Luis Obispo for 5 years where she developed her love for working with food, wine and people!

Sica is currently studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine exam. When she is not working or studying she is hiking, dancing, or doing arts and crafts!

To reach Jessica Luke, jessica@justinwine.com

Vince Bonafede
Tasting Room & Tours

Vince joined the JUSTIN team as a tasting room attendant in June of 2010. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agricultural Business and a concentration in marketing and a minor in Wine & Viticulture. Originally from the Palm Springs area (La Quinta, CA.), Vince has been in the central coast for the past eight years and in result has become a full blown wine geek. Currently studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine exam (CSW), Vince helps run the vineyard tour as well as the Barrels and Bottles tour out at the winery. Vince’s love for wine and food grows everyday and he is a firm believer in the more you drink and eat, the more you know.

Outside of work Vince enjoys all that the central coast has to offer; tasting great wine, eating amazing food and playing as much golf as possible.

To reach Vince Bonafede, vince@justinwine.com

Jessica Morrill
Tasting Room & Tours

To reach Jessica Morrill, jmorrill@justinwine.com

Sarah Nowlen
Tasting Room

To reach Sarah Nowlen, sarahn@justinwine.com

Bethany Fraker
Tasting Room

To reach Bethany Fraker, bethany@justinwine.com

Sam Wertheimer
Tasting Room

To reach Sam Wertheimer, swertheimer@justinwine.com

Glenn Mitton
Wine Society Ambassador

Jackie Woods
Tasting Room

To reach Jackie Woods, jwoods@justinwine.com