Meet the Team

Steve Dutton & Karissa Kruse Dutton

PROPRIETORS

As owners of Dutton-Goldfield, Steve and Karissa represent the next chapter of a Sonoma County farming legacy that spans six generations. Steve's lifelong connection to the land and Karissa's leadership within the Sonoma County agricultural and wine community help guide the winery's vision, ensuring every decision remains rooted in sustainability, authenticity, and long-term stewardship.

Melissa Stackhouse

WINEMAKER

Melissa Stackhouse leads all winemaking operations at Dutton-Goldfield, bringing more than three decades of experience producing world-class cool-climate wines. Prior to joining Dutton-Goldfield, Melissa held winemaking leadership roles with La Crema, J Vineyards & Winery, Constellation and Kendall-Jackson. Her passion for vineyard expression and meticulous attention to detail make her a natural steward of Dutton-Goldfield's next generation of wines.

Ed Thralls

GENERAL MANAGER

Ed oversees the day-to-day business operations of Dutton-Goldfield, working across sales, marketing, hospitality, finance, and strategic planning. With more 15 years in the wine industry, Ed has held leadership roles with respected wineries including Vintage Wine Estates, Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Huneeus Vintners, Benovia Winery and Mira Winery.

Today, he works closely with the ownership team to ensure Dutton-Goldfield remains financially strong, operationally focused, and positioned for long-term success while sharing the winery's wines and story with customers and trade partners across the country.

Nicole Ward

DIRECTOR OF WHOLESALE SALES

Nicole Ward leads our wholesale sales efforts, working closely with distributors, retailers, restaurants, and trade partners across key markets. With a passion for relationship-building and a deep appreciation for vineyard-driven wines, she helps bring the Dutton-Goldfield story to wine buyers, sommeliers, and consumers nationwide.

Nicole oversees distributor management, key account development, pricing strategy, inventory planning, and market growth initiatives. She works closely with ownership, winemaking, and sales partners to ensure Dutton-Goldfield's wines are represented with the same authenticity, quality, and attention to detail that define the winery itself.