Meet the Barrel Oak Team
Barrel Oak
Jeremy Ligon
Winemaker
Jeremy Ligon is a Virginia native who is devoted to producing world class Virginia wines. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology at California State University at Fresno, Jeremy returned to Virginia to focus on building a strong reputation for Virginia wines. Jeremy has received numerous Best in Class, Double Golds, Golds and Silver awards for wines produced. In 2014 Jeremy was named the #1 up and coming winemaker in Virginia to keep your eye on by Scoutology.com.
Seth Marshall
Assistant Winemaker
Seth grew up locally on his family’s farm in the Marshall area. Using his background in Biology, Seth began working in the wine industry in 2015. No stranger to hard work, he has done every job a farm winery has to offer; from planting to pruning and fermenting to filtering. Seth has utilized his on-the-job experience to hone his craft and hopes to continue learning and growing in order to make the highest quality product.
Jon Bowman
Brew Master
I fell head over heels in love with craft beer back in the ancient times when Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams ruled the brew-tastic kingdom. Yep, I was a bonafide beer nerd, geeking out over hops and barley like it was my job. Little did I know, it would become my job! After a lengthy career as a professional photographer, fate decided to throw me a frothy curveball—I got the chance to become a professional brewer. Naturally, I pounced on that opportunity like a cat on a laser pointer. So here I am, a brewing maestro for over a decade now, crafting liquid gold for the masses.
Adriana Lucca
General Manager
Adriana is a seasoned Hospitality and Food & Beverage Professional with a deep-rooted passion for all things culinary and hospitality-related.
“Based in the picturesque Virginia wine country, I’m fortunate to combine my love for travel, food, and wine amidst stunning vineyard landscapes. From exploring new wine varietals to creating unforgettable dining experiences, I thrive on blending my expertise with the charm of Virginia’s wine region. Beyond work, I cherish moments with family and friends, and find inspiration in the region’s rich history and beautiful design. I believe in the transformative power of hospitality to connect people and create lasting memories. Let’s raise a glass and celebrate the beauty of Virginia wine country together!”
Melissa Rogers
Private Events Director
Melissa has always had a love for bringing people together. She began her hospitality journey working banquets as a teenager in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Since then, she has worked in many faucets of the industry. From planning small family gatherings to large conventions with 500,000 attendees, Melissa thrives in the details that make any sized event unique. She is excited to bring her experience to Barrel Oak in the stunning Virginia countryside. In her personal time, you will find her gardening, cooking, playing with her dogs Jack & Shelby or researching her next travel adventure.
Jen Wanek
Director of Club Members
Bio coming soon
Sarah Robertson
Tasting Room Manager
Sarah has been with Barrel Oak for the past year. She has a bachelor’s in business administration and 7 + year experience in the hospitality industry. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, listening to her collection of records, and planning her upcoming wedding.
Zehra Rickards
Tasting Room Manager
Zehra was on the path to become a CPA, however life took another turn! While working at an Inn she made the encounter of a passionate and knowledgeable sommelier who inspired her to follow the wine trail. She caught the wine bug!
She is working towards her WSET diploma and is excited to learn it all. She loves watching the behind the scenes of the industry and understanding the whole production process. Being able to learn from the winemaker and share with the guests everything that goes into making their favorite bottle of wine is what she thrives for!
Marie Levitt
Director of Wholesale & Outside Sales
Marie grew up in the Vosges Mountains, Northeast of France right next to Alsace, where the famous Riesling and Gewurztraminer wines are produced. She developed a strong passion for wines over the years and loves studying viticulture and tasting wines along the way. She is WSET level 3 certified and loves the fact that the wine industry is a never-ending learning journey. She has more to learn about the beers but is also very eager to do so. In her spare time, she follows her other passion, confectionery.
Mary Nordseth
Assistant Wholesale Manager
Mary has always had a passion for wine and has enjoyed tasting wine throughout her international travels to Tuscany and Maipo Valley in Chile. When she became a neighbor to Barrel Oak in 2020, she began working as a pourer part-time while working as a full-time Registered Nurse. After falling in love with the wine industry, she made it her full-time career. In her free time, Mary travels the world with her husband, hikes with her dog, and enjoys cooking delicious meals for family and friends.
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