Team

Laura is the visionary who champions the independent, evolution-focused spirit of Auteur, always seeking to elevate wine’s place at the table of connection. Channeling her instinctive Irish and midwestern heritage, she personally guided the design of both Auteur homes, ensuring the personalized experience—from the intimate Bungalow to the majestic Estate—is delivered as a true, warm embrace. Fully dedicated to this demanding journey of farming that is full of necessary detours, Laura pours her energy into authentic quality and lives by the mantra: “Every bottle is a moment worth slowing down, and the wine will deliver its best in return when you bring your best in every moment.”

Susie brings the “sunnyside-up” energy to Auteur’s entire hospitality experience, channeling decades of Sonoma knowledge into every club detail. She ensures every interaction is personal, lively, and truly exceptional—a dedication born from a passion for Burgundian-style wines and a fierce ability to balance the club’s demands with life’s demands (including two energetic young boys at home!).

Michelle is the strategic wizard who translates Auteur’s philosophy into a cohesive narrative of our authentic voice, skillfully managing the brand’s presence across all platforms, including the endless engine of social media. Armed with killer polish and an astute Californian sense of humor, she is our essential truth-teller—the force that keeps the brand focused, aligned, and vividly present to the world.

Zach, a dedicated wine specialist and Chico native, is the dynamic extension of the Auteur family whom Kenneth Juhasz affectionately calls “the tallest hummingbird you’ve ever seen.” He ensures every meeting is a genuine collaborative adventure, not a transaction, fueled by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a commitment to shared expertise. Zach’s primary focus is securing Auteur’s rightful, authentic home in the best wine programs, aligning with partners who share our ethos for integrity and uncompromising sense of place.

Auteur’s Rogue By Nature ethos is defined by independence and an unwavering commitment to authentic quality, a spirit you’ll find in both of our homes. Our hospitality team acts as the curator of this duality: they honor the intimate, homegrown charm of our founding Sonoma Bungalow while masterfully guiding the elevated, immersive experience at our new Russian River Estate.