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Tyler Kyle, teacher, sommelier and translator, was born and raised in Napa Valley wine country and first moved to Europe at eighteen where she began her language studies. It was France that first lured her into wine, sparking a passion that over time has led Tyler to cross several boarders, languages, and disciplines.  

English, Spanish, and French-speaking, Tyler has taught and translated in luxury hotels, restaurants, wineries, culinary institutes, hospitals, police stations, colleges, and ranches. Tyler’s love of teaching is rooted in her love of learning. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in Spanish from California State University Sacramento.  She holds the WSET Diploma, is a Certified Specialist of Wine, Master-Level Champagne Scholar, French Wine Scholar, American Wine Scholar, and Italian Wine Professional.

Tyler currently lives in Napa, Paris, and Austin.

 Miguel García is a Certified Crop Adviser with a PhD in Environmental Sciences and a BS in Environmental Chemistry from UC Riverside. Miguel has been advising farmers and farmworkers on sustainable farming practices since 2016 and he has been working with Napa grapegrowers since 2019 in his role as Sustainable Ag Program Manager for the Napa Resource Conservation District. He provides technical assistance related to soil health, carbon sequestration, erosion control, and water management. He also designs bilingual educational programs aimed at providing local growers and farmworkers with valuable information on topics related to sustainable agriculture. Miguel believes the future of our local water resources and the world’s food security lies heavily in the implementation of sustainable farming practices today. 

 Education: M.S., Food Science (Enology), University of California, Davis, 2000. B.S., Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 1991. 

Employment: Winemaker and Winery Manager at the University of California, Davis 2019-Present; Director of Operation, Safe Harbor Wine Storage 2014-2019, Senior Winemaker, Treasury Wine Estates, 2007–2014; Winemaker, E&J Gallo Winery, Modesto, 2002–2007. Assistant Winemaker, Golden State Vintners, Soledad, 2000–2002. Postgraduate Researcher/Research Assistant, University of California, Davis, Department of Viticulture and Enology, 1999 and 2000; Department of Population Health and Reproduction, 2000. Teaching Assistant, University of California, Davis, Department of Food Sciences, 2000; Department of Viticulture and Enology, 1999–2000. Lab Assistant, University of California, Davis, Department of Viticulture and Enology 1997–1998, and 2000. Quality Control Supervisor, Searle de Mexico, Mexico City, 1996–1997. Assistant Winemaker Allied Domecq Mexico City, 1990–1994. 

ASEV Activities: Member since 1998. President 2012-2013. Board of Directors Member, 2023- Present and 2008–2013. Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Program Development Committee Co-Chair 2020- 2023, speaker/moderator, 2004, 2010-2013, 2023-2024. Annual Conference Poster’s Chair, 2014- Present. Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Program Development Committee member, 2007–Present. Nominating Committee member, 2006, 2024. Sensory Symposium speaker, 2000. Annual Meeting speaker, 2000. Scholarship Recipient, 1998–1999. 

Other Activities: Instructor for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education 2019-Present. Instructor at Mead bootcamp 2020-2023. Speaker at Napa Valley Farmworkers Foundation 2022. Speaker at WineFuture 2021. Speaker at Mexican Wine Seminar 2020. Member, California Enological Research Association, 2002–2010. Member of Technical Review Committee member, American Vineyard Foundation, 2005–2006. Winemaking introduction to new employees at E&J Gallo Winery, 2003–2005. Speaker at the Barrel and Barrel Alternatives Symposium, Fresno 2002. Descriptive Analysis and Winemaking Basis at Golden State Vintners, 2002. Sensory Evaluation of wine in Spanish at Mexican Graduate Student Association, 2001. Sensory symposium speaker at Calaveras Wine Association, 2000. 

 Monika Elling is a seasoned leader in the global drinks industry with over 20 years of experience including supplier and wholesale executive roles and ultimately as an entrepreneur and CEO, specializing in marketing and brand strategy. Her role was pivotal in the success of brands like Empress 1908 Gin, which saw a $200 million+ exit in 2022. Monika is also recognized for her exceptional wine blending skills, winning accolades from top industry critics.

Her deep knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, and distribution is coupled with her expertise in digital marketing, blue ocean strategy, and product development. Dedicated to innovation, diversity, and sustainability, her company was selected for the highly prized Goldman Sachs 10KSB program. Monika also holds a certification in Nutritional Psychology, she is also a published author, media contributor, and serves as an advisor and mentor to various startups and industry groups. Her passion is to empower others to succeed at the intersection of technology and the wine and spirits landscape.