Andrew Jones

North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri

Andrew Jones is a prominent California winemaker and the owner of Field Recordings, a label he founded in 2007. Known for his innovative approach and focus on vineyard-driven wines, Jones is also the winemaker behind several other successful brands, including Fiction, The Fabelist, Alloy, and Wonderwall.

Professional Background

• Viticulture Expertise: Jones's primary career for over two decades has been as a vine nursery fieldman, a role that involves planning and planting vineyards for farmers across California. This extensive experience in the field (having "stood in just about every vineyard on the Central Coast") has given him a keen eye for identifying under-appreciated vineyard sites with enormous potential, which he calls his "diamonds in the rough".

• Education: He entered college as a football player but became obsessed with viticulture and winemaking, eventually majoring in agricultural business with a minor in viticulture.

• Winemaking Philosophy: Jones operates on the belief that "if you get it from the right spot, the work is already done for you in the vineyard," and it is the winemaker's responsibility "not to screw it up". He is a strong proponent of organic agriculture and uses minimal intervention winemaking techniques, such as native yeast fermentation and minimal sulfites.

Innovations and Recognition

• Brand Approach: Field Recordings is known for its approachable, non-pretentious wines and unique, story-driven packaging. The label is Andrew's "personal catalog of the people and places he values most".

• Industry Trends: Jones has been at the forefront of several California winemaking trends, including canned wine (found in his Alloy brand), high-quality boxed wine, and pét-nats.

• Accolades: His forward-thinking approach has earned significant recognition, including being nominated for Wine Enthusiast's 2023 Innovator of the Year award and Field Recordings being named VinePair's Winery of the Year in 2023.

• Tin City Pioneer: He was the first winemaker to establish a presence in Tin City, a former industrial park in Paso Robles that is now a hub for innovative wineries.

Andrew Jones continues to influence the industry by blending traditional viticultural knowledge with modern, accessible winemaking styles. You can learn more about his philosophy and wines on the Field Recordings official website.

California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, Alaska

Shannon Burke is a seasoned wine industry professional with deep expertise in national sales strategy, brand development, and market expansion for boutique California wine producers. With a career rooted in hands-on distributor management and relationship-driven sales, Shannon has built a reputation for successfully positioning artisan brands in competitive wholesale and on-premise markets across the United States.

Shannon has led national wine sales efforts for a diverse portfolio of producers, working closely with distributors, winery partners, and key trade accounts to drive growth, strengthen brand visibility, and expand geographic reach. Her experience spans managing California wholesale markets, developing national private-label programs, and launching emerging brands with a focus on authenticity, quality, and long-term sustainability.

Known for her collaborative approach and deep understanding of the three-tier system, Shannon excels at bridging the gap between winemakers and the marketplace. She brings a strategic yet practical perspective to sales, combining market analytics with strong personal relationships to deliver consistent results.

Based in California, Shannon continues to champion thoughtfully produced wines and works closely with wineries and trade partners to build brands that resonate with both buyers and consumers.

Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia

Adam is a veteran wine industry professional with over 25 years of experience spanning fine dining, wholesale distribution, and brand marketing. He is currently the proprietor of Ampelography, a fine wine sales and marketing company he founded in 2009 that represents artisan producers and old-world imports across the Great Lakes region, including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana Kentucky and Illinois.

Professional Background

• Early Career: Mahler began his wine journey in California in 1998. While attending film school, he transitioned into the hospitality sector, eventually rising to the position of Sommelier at the renowned Michel Richard's Citronelle in Santa Barbara.

• Distribution & Management: In 2004, he returned to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, where he held several key leadership roles including Regional Manager for Shiverick Imports (2004–2006). & Brand Development & Marketing Manager for 55 Degrees (2004–2008).

Expertise & Philosophy

• Artisanal Focus: Through Ampelography, Mahler specializes in "wines with a sense of place," focusing on small-scale vignerons from France, Germany, Portugal, and the U.S. West Coast.

• Storytelling: He is an advocate for the importance of narrative in sales, frequently speaking on how authentic storytelling helps artisanal brands compete against large wine conglomerates.

• Often accused by European Wine people of being an insufferable champion of West Coast Artisan producers, while being accused of being an insufferable Franco-phile by most of his West Coast Friends. The truth, is hopefully somewhere right in the middle. Everyone can surely agree on the insufferable portion.

Adam proudly lives in Toledo, Ohio, where he spends most of his free time going to see live music with his wife, and having his heartbroken by Detroit sports.

West Virginia, Virginia, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland

Kyle joins Ampelands as a weathered wine professional with wide-ranging experience in restaurants, retail, distribution, and supplier roles. He values strong relationships and market insight as drivers of success, focusing on targeted goals and partnerships to spur growth. Kyle lives in Black Rock, CT, with his growing houseplant and record collections.

His passion for wine began in restaurants and took shape at Little Park in New York City, guided by friends, sommeliers, and beverage directors who showed him what thoughtful, hospitality-driven beverage programs could be. That early curiosity evolved into a career when Kyle returned home to manage Sipstirs, a local wine shop where he built a loyal customer community and earned trust through honest guidance. There, he sharpened his palate and developed a deep appreciation for the role relationships play in shaping a successful wine business.

Kyle went on to join Mary Taylor Wine and its self-distribution arm, Housatonic Wine Co., in Connecticut, ultimately serving as Managing Director. As the company’s boots-on-the-ground sales force, he was instrumental in building visibility and momentum for a portfolio that included Mary Taylor Wine, Field Recordings, Luis Pato, and Truchard, helping establish these brands as meaningful players in the Connecticut market.

He later played a key role in transitioning the Housatonic portfolio to Highland Imports before joining Ampelands as Northeast Regional Sales Manager.

On the way to your market, Kyle is likely driving back roads with the windows down and a mixtape on full volume.