Caileen Brison, Producer

Have you ever heard the quote from Albert Einstein, “I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious”? That’s me. For better or for worse, I have never excelled at any one thing, but I am fascinated by everything. The genesis of The Field Blend Project looked very different from where it’s projecting now and I couldn’t be happier. My central hope is to bring people together, to spread education by sharing bottles and laughter, and create a true sense of community in this industry.

I imagine that this project is going to evolve and - truthfully - I hope that it does. I hope that this project changes and challenges like vintages. I hope some content excites you just as I hope some content angers you. I hope to raise awareness for challenging conversations, create spaces for young producers and experienced patrons to share knowledge, and create a safe space for education and discussion.

I am a true renaissance woman. I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry and have my B.S. in Biochemistry. I have worked in the wine industry for close to 7 years now doing everything from wine sales, wine education, enology, and - of course - I’ve paid my dues as a cellar rat. I am currently an enologist and cellar assistant and am working to spread the gospel of good people in the wine industry doing good things.

Alyssa Twelker, Creative Director & Photographer

She started with culinary school to learn the classics, studied under some of the best chefs in the US, represented the US in a world culinary competition in Scotland for young chefs and along with her teammates won the world title. While working as a private chef in Carmel, she developed an interest in wine and decided to pursue the sommelier certification through the Guild of Sommeliers. A bit of luck landed her a job at Soif Wine Bar in Santa Cruz, where she has worked for the last six years. Through those six years, she has traveled to many wine regions throughout Europe (including Puglia!) to better her understanding of these legendary places. She now oversees the wine program at Soif and continues to highlight exceptional wines from all over the world on the wine list. She is passionate and knowledgeable about great food and wine and loves to encourage the same excitement in others.