Born out of Chef-Vintner Dustin Valette’s passion for wine, food and flavor, Valette Wines showcase legendary small production, terroir-driven winemakers Bob Cabral, Jesse Katz, Dave Ramey, and Tom Rochioli.
Dustin’s Story
Dustin Valette’s curiosity about winemaking was piqued as a young man in his family’s vineyards.
That curiosity was nurtured when tasting wines, building wine programs, and creating wine and food pairing menus over the years. Eventually, Valette tried his hand at garage wines, and then let his friends takeover to make the Valette Wines we have today.
Valette Wines is a proud steward of the land and committed to celebrating the diverse nature of the expansive region, as well as pairing perfectly with our regional cuisine and wine country living.
The Team
Valette Wines is made up of an incredible team of industry professionals, bringing decades of experience and knowledge.
Dustin Valette Owner
Dustin Valette, is one of Sonoma County’s premier Chef-Vintners. He is the Owner of Valette Wines and the Chef-Owner of Healdsburg restaurants, Valette and The Matheson. Known for his love of seasonality, Chef Valette creates distinctive culinary experiences that pay homage to the region's farmers and vintners – landing him many accolades, such as Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence” (Valette) and SARA's "Award of Excellence'' (The Matheson), among others. He honed his craft at some of the nation’s most celebrated restaurants, including Dry Creek Kitchen, a Charlie Palmer restaurant in downtown Healdsburg; the Michelin-starred Aqua in San Francisco; Napa Valley’s Bouchon; and Hokus at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Honolulu. Chef Valette’s ties to Sonoma County date back to the 1820s, when his great-grandfather settled in the area and opened bakeries in the buildings where his restaurants stand today.
Michael Riel COO
Valette Wines' Chief Operating Officer, Michael Riel, brings decades of experience in winemaking operations and financial management to the team. He completed his undergraduate studies in economics and English and a Corporate Business Degree in Germany, and studied winemaking through the University of California, Davis remote study program. He holds numerous domestic and international managerial and finance certifications. It has been Riel's privilege to serve in many notable positions including VP of Paul Hobbs Wine, COO of M.A. Silva Corks, USA, COO for Browne Family Wines, assisted Michael Browne with the start of Browne Family Wines, served as COO at BFW, and was named The North Bay Business Journal's 40 under 40 award in 2012, among other milestones. Aside from his wine endeavors, Riel is an active philanthropist. For 10 years, he and his wife have carried out charity work and health missions in Nicaragua. The couple built their second home there two years ago.
Nicholas Skinner DTC & Wine Club Manager
Nicholas Skinner, born and raised in Northern California, brings over 17 years of invaluable winery experience to the role of DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) and Wine Club Manager for Valette Wines. He holds a degree from the Wine Business Program at Sonoma State University and is a certified Sommelier with a WSET Level Three certificate. At the age of 16, Skinner embraced his desire to learn the art of winemaking, leaning in by starting from the ground up; joining a picking crew and working harvests on weekends for Von Strasser Winery. Skinner’s fondest memory, and what solidified his career in wine, occurred during his first harvest when he was “baptized by wine.” Exhausted from his first weekend on the job, he forgot to close the valve on the tank as he undid the hose clamp – ultimately drenching himself in freshly picked Cabernet Sauvignon. Prior to joining the Valette Wines team, Skinner held the position of Tasting Room Manager at Peju Province Winery in Rutherford, as well as Assistant General Manager of Von Strasser Winery in Calistoga.
McKenzie Hughes Brand Ambassador
Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Mckenzie Hughes brings a unique blend of passion and experience to her role as Brand Ambassador for Valette Wines. With a professional background in the fire industry, Mckenzie's true calling was realized through her love for wine and community, which ultimately drew her to the vibrant town of Healdsburg. Mckenzie moved from sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, in December 2023, embracing the wine country lifestyle and the close-knit community Healdsburg offers. Her affinity for Valette Wines and the renowned Matheson restaurant reflects her deep appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. At the heart of her career, Mckenzie's greatest joy comes from connecting with people. Whether she's hosting wine tastings or leading community events, her warm, engaging personality makes every encounter memorable. Mckenzie's dedication to fostering relationships and bringing people together underlines her commitment to the Valette brand and its values.
We also are proud to partner with some of the most premiere winemakers in the industry. Bob Cabral, Jesse Katz, Dave Ramey, and Tom Rochioli's approach and style in winemaking elevate our collection into something truly special.
We invite you to explore our winemakers and the wines they contribute.