People

Experts in wine. Passionate about people

Rarecat

People

RARECAT is powered by a small team of passionate professionals who believes excellence begins with intention and ends in unforgettable experience. From harvest to hospitality, our people bring world-class training, deep knowledge, questionable humor, and a shared joy for the art of wine.

Owner & Director of Winemaking

Sharon Kazan Harris

MBA | DUAD, Universitie de Bordeaux | Wine Educator & Speaker | Entrepreneur

Sharon fell in love with wine at 20, while studying abroad in Bordeaux. That journey led her to Château Haut-Brion, to the DUAD wine diploma program, and eventually to founding RARECAT Wines. She is the only American woman vintner producing estate wines in both Champagne and Bordeaux.

Before wine, Sharon thrived in tech, leading sales for a search engine company that went public, launching a startup that raised over $3 million, and working as a tech investor and executive. Sharon has used wine to bring together thousands of professionals, particularly women, and was named one of Worth Magazine’s 29 Most Groundbreaking Women Changing the World.

"9 Women Who have Changed the Wine World"

Richard Bradley, Worth Magazine

"Rarecat’s Sharon Kazan Harris Is Connecting Women Winemakers in Napa and Bordeaux"

Katie Brown, Vinepair

"A sexy, open-knit, round, generous red wine from the Old Toll hillside vineyard in Calistoga"

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Director of Client Experience

Jennifer Curry

WSET Level 3 | French Wine Scholar

Jennifer’s journey with wine began around a family table in Portugal, sipping Vinho Verde with grilled sardines and octopus. Her love for food, wine, and storytelling was shaped by visits to food markets and a childhood spent helping in her father's New York wine bar. That early exposure to hospitality and wine culture set the stage for her career.

Jennifer joined RARECAT during the 2015 harvest and quickly became an integral part of the team. She’s worn many hats—wine educator, assistant winemaker, host, and even occasional dog-sitter to our mischievous winery pups. With certifications from WSET and the French Wine Scholar program, Jennifer brings warmth, knowledge, and curiosity to every tasting.
Our Provence-style rosés were named in her honor—a reflection of her lasting impact on RARECAT.

Drive

Connections

Shared

Passions

Client Experience

Ryan Avila

RARECAT Wine Educator | Certified Sommelier | WSET Level 2

Ryan’s path to wine began through the lens of hospitality. Raised in San Diego, he helped open Marriott properties around the world before settling into his dream role as a sommelier at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, where he crafted the wine list for the Oenology bar.

Today, Ryan lives in Napa, fully immersed in wine country life. Whether in the vineyard, the cellar, or guiding tastings, he brings heart, knowledge, and polish to every guest experience. His passion for wine is tangible, and his expertise makes every RARECAT encounter both relaxed and elevated.

Consulting Winemaker

Ashley Hepworth

Bio Undergrad | Davis Winemaking Certificate | 20+ Years Winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards

With over 23 years of experience in winemaking, Ashley brings extensive knowledge and passion to help others improve their craft. She has served as Winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards for 15 years, overseeing the production of the vineyard’s award-winning Napa Valley wines, including its flagship wine Insignia, Single-Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Backus, as well as its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Delice.

Prior to taking on the role of Winemaker, Ashley served in increasingly responsible roles at the vineyard, starting as a Harvest Intern in 1999 before moving on to more technical roles as Lab Technician, Enologist and Associate Winemaker. Ashley's approach to winemaking is simple yet effective.

behind the people