Below are the bios and headshots of the 5 candidates running for the board for 2025.
My name is Pietro Buttitta and I have spent the last 25 years working in food and wine, first as a professional chef in Portland, Or., San Francisco, and Napa Valley, and then as a full-time professional winemaker and grapegrower for the last 15 years while living in Oakland. My wines have been featured in Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Bloomberg and the SF Chronicle, and I have also produced wines for other brands in Napa and Paso Robles and out-of-state wineries while focusing on my own Prima Materia Vineyard & Winery label while growing grapes and producing up to 3,500 cases per year. A grape grower at heart, I have experience planting and managing vineyards and have consulted for wineries and vineyards in Lake County and Dry Creek Valley. In addition to building my own wine brand I also worked extensively with the Lake County Winery Association and the winegrape commission, representing the AVA and wines at national gatherings ranging from New York City to online classes.
In pursuit of deeper wine knowledge I also acquired sommelier certification, have spoken at national wine conferences, and co- directed two wine competitions and have judged at others. A global wine perspective is very important for me, so I also acquired sommelier certification, have spoken at national wine conferences, and co- directed two wine competitions and have judged at others. I also try to keep up with the latest Italian pruning techniques, historical fermentation methods, and keeping pace with the international world of wine in general. I spent last year with working with Bill English and am involved with the Local Vines project which has been a great opportunity to learn about this area and transfer my focus to the Lamorinda AVA, and I am excited by the opportunity to help grow and promote this unique area and the diverse potential it so clearly has.
Pietro Buttitta
I first became aware of the world of quality wine with a family visit to Bordeaux with my French Father in Law in 1980. Eye opening, mouth watering, and highly educational, was that trip. Within a few years I decided I wanted to learn how to grow grapes and make quality wine. But as with many of us I was raising kids and earning a living running my own software consulting business. That dream was forestalled until 2003 when it became clear that I was going to need a 3d act. It was then that I decided to take full suite of Vit and Eno extension courses at Davis with the intention of planting a vineyard and making wine at my family property in the Lake County Red Hills AVA.
In 2004 I planted the vineyard and in 2008 my first vintage materialized. This and subsequent vintages turned out nicely which was confirmed by entering several competitions. By 2010 I had joined the Lake County Grape Growers Assoc. and was able to acquire grapes from commercial local growers as well as learn some of their secrets. In the subsequent years I have made 8 different reds, 3 different whites, Port, Sauternes style botritus desert wine, and brandy. These wines have won many Best of Show, numerous Golds, and a few Silvers over 14 years at 9 different wine comps. I do all the vineyard tending and winemaking to this day myself but do get help for the heavy lifting stuff.
I’ve lived in Lafayette since 1978. I have been on the LWGA board for the past 5 years, the last two as President. My Presidential term ends in January and I will not be standing for President in 2025. However I will be standing for election for another 2 year term as a board member.
We have been successful in offering educational programs to the LWGA membership in both vineyard care and winemaking and will continue and expand those offerings going forward. In the year ahead we on the board look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with the Local Vines Winery which will be opening this Spring at its location on Mt. Diablo Blvd. The facility currently has a working winery on its lower floor, will have a retail store in one half of it’s street level floor, with the other half being a commercial catering kitchen. I urge you all to closely watch for the announcement of Local Vines grand opening fiesta coming soon?
I thank you for reading my election statement and would very much appreciate your vote for another term as a LWGA board member.
Thank you, David Hicks, LWGA board member and retiring President.
My name is Leanne Pilot and I am a candidate for the LWGA Board.
I have been an Orinda resident for 7 years, living and working in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood where we grow approximately 4500 vines of Grenache, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Our wines are bottled under the Crane Terrace Winery label.
Prior to managing the property at Crane Terrace I’d spent twenty years working for both PeopleSoft and Oracle in education, training, and pre-sales consulting.
In the past year I’ve enjoyed spending time in the community educating through wine tastings and other events, sharing information about the Lamorinda AVA, the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association, and the excellent wines being grown locally. It’s been very rewarding to see people gain an awareness about what’s available locally and getting excited about our local wines and the region.
I would like to serve on the board in order to continue to share what we are doing, share our wines and assist in executing current LWGA growth plans.
Leanne Pilot, Member and Candidate for Board of Directors
I am currently serving as LWGA Secretary. I have considerable board experience and look forward to continuing to serve the Lamorinda Winegrowers’ Association and its members, if elected to do so.
My wife, Esther, and I planted approximately 2,300 vines in 2010 and had our thirteenth harvest this past year. Our varietals consist of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Thal Vineyards, LLC is bonded with an O-2 license.
I am retired, having done so for the third time (United States Air Force, private practice of optometry and Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean, University of California). Some of my other board experience includes serving as President of the California State Board of Optometry on five occasions and serving two years as President of the California Optometric Association. I have completed two terms on the board of an independent private school in the East Bay, and for over 20 years I have served as president of two homeowners’ associations.
I am a strong supporter of our AVA and the quality wines we produce. Esther and I are renovating a downtown Lafayette building as a winery and tasting room which we hope will actively promote local wine and offer a venue to introduce our wines to the public. It can also serve as a focal point for viticulture education and LWGA activity. Hopefully it will open in early 2025.
Larry Thal, Current Board Member and Secretary
Relationship to LWGA: One of the founding members of the LWGA (2005). Past posts with LWGA include President of the Board (2014); Board Member (2013 – 2024); Board Member of the Orinda Chamber of Commerce (2016 – 2022) as Secretary and Liaison for the LWGA.
Vineyard: Los Arabis Pinot Noir (1500 vines in Lafayette) planted in 1999. Currently our wine (250+/- ) cases are being produced at Local Vines in Lafayette! We sell to local restaurants and retail in Lamorinda. Much of our wine is donated to local schools, church and hospital fundraising programs, and other charities and non-profits.
Personal: Our Construction firm, Sausal Corporation, Concord, CA, builds schools, fire stations and public buildings throughout northern California. Our Son Josh, Orinda resident, now runs the company. I am a graduate of Cal Poly, SLO, in LA&ED.
Leslie Ward, Current Board Member
