Hygge Wine Weekend

Ami Vitale's award-winning work illuminates the unsung heroes and communities working to protect our wildlife and find harmony in our natural world. Ami shares personal stories about individuals who, against all odds, are are making a profound difference in the future of their communities and this planet.

 

She has been named one of the most influential conservation photographers of her generation and is Conservation International's Lui-Walton Innovators Fellow. In 2022, she was awarded with the prestigious prizes from the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and the Lucie Humanitarian Award. Instyle Magazine named Ami one of fifty Badass Women, a series celebrating women who show up, speak up and get things done. She appeared alongside a group of incredible women including Jane Goodall, Christiane Amanpour and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She has also been named Magazine photographer of the year in the International Photographer of the Year award, received the Daniel Pearl for Outstanding Journalism award and is a six-time recipient of World Press Photos. She is the author of the best-selling book, Panda Love, on the secret lives of pandas.

 

Ami is an Ambassador for Nikon and also the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Vital Impacts which uses art to empower and engage youth through the arts to influence their peers in the world. She is a six-time recipient of World Press Photos and published a best-selling book, Panda Love, on the secret lives of pandas. She lectures for the National Geographic LIVE series, and will be featured on the National Geographic Channel Explorer TV series in 2023.

As the president of Bookwalter Winery, John is responsible for overseeing all operations as it relates to winemaking, sales and marketing initiatives and strategic planning for the company. John joined the family Winery in 1997 following a 10 year career in sales and marketing in the beverage industry.

 

Founded in 1983, Bookwalter Winery has successfully transitioned from the first generation into one of the most dynamic mid-sized wineries in Washington State. Founded by legendary grape grower Jerry Bookwalter in 1983, Bookwalter Winery has a long, rich history of producing exceptional wines from some of Washington States most established, reputable vineyards. The Winery is owned and operated by second generation winemaker John Bookwalter. John and his winemaking team focus their efforts on high quality small production red wines.

 

John is the 2022 recipient of the Honorary Vintner of the year award for the Auction of Washington Wines. He currently serves on the Tri-Cities Cancer Center foundation board and on the board of the Auction of Washington Wines. John has also served as vice chairman of the board for Wine America, the wine industries national advocacy group based in Washington DC and as vice chairman of the board of the Washington Wine Institute.

Rachael Marjamaa is an interdisciplinary artist based in Philipsburg, Montana. She specializes in oil painting, broom making, and knitting. Growing up in Montana, traditional crafts have always had a strong influence in her work.   Rachael is passionate about creating utilitarian artwork using materials in their rawest form. It is a fun challenge that connects her closer to the land and the people that take care of it. From processing raw wool for hand-knit sweaters, to using deadfall branches for handcrafted brooms. Every resource is cherished and respected. Her oil paintings are inspired by patterns found in knitwear and nature.   As a self-taught knitter, Rachael has studied fiber art since 2015 and became fascinated with the structures achieved with just a few combinations of stitches. Knitting and nature combine to create paintings of flora and fauna that convey comfort and sentiment.

Craig O. is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He started his culinary journey at his parents' popcorn shop in upstate New York. While working at a James Beard-nominated restaurant in Des Moines, he developed a love of fine-dining from a creative perspective that spurred him to pursue an associate's degree from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York and later his intro level sommelier certification.

 

Interest in Relais & Châteaux properties brought Craig first to Blackberry Farm and later to The Ranch at Rock Creek as a line cook and Garde-manger working to ferment and preserve as many ingredients as possible from the short and abundant summer growing season. A transition to the Front of the House led Craig to Michelin-starred Quince in San Francisco.

 

In 2021 Craig returned to Montana as the Sommelier at The Ranch and achieved his level two sommelier certification in 2022. He loves to share his passions of food, wine and Montana. As an all-inclusive guest ranch, Craig oversees the included pairings, crafting them to suit Executive Chef Drage’s ever-changing menus. “We find wines that have the same sets of standard as our food - biodynamic, organic, family-owned, often grown in extreme climates and high altitudes.”  Craig works directly with Chef Drage to curate a wine list that is as unique as it is extensive.

 

 

Professionally trained in the culinary arts, Executive Chef Drage is celebrated for creating unique Montana ranch cuisine. At The Ranch, he focuses on real food from local producers offering organic and sustainable meats and produce. Chef Drage continues to push the envelope with bold flavors and healthy ingredients, while taking inspiration from working kitchens in cattle-producing regions.

Our Chef Drage began cooking at just 12 years old in his mother’s kitchen in a small cabin outside of Anchorage, Alaska. Passionate about cooking food that reflects the spirit and lifestyle of Western living, Chef Drage changes menus on a daily basis to provide guests with unforgettable dining experiences in our idyllic setting. Ranch life is about adventures in the outdoors. Our cuisine is nourishing and healthy for active people on a ranch.