UC Davis Executive Leadership Board Shares Their Paths to Building a Career in Wine

When three members of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Executive Leadership Board sat down with students in October 2025, they talked about building careers, setting boundaries, and why your 20-year plan might be holding you back.

The panel featured Amanda Kent Benjamin, sixth-generation winegrower and President of Kent Family Estates; Dr. Ron Runnebaum, UC Davis professor in the Departments of Viticulture and Enology and Chemical Engineering; and Lauren Saltiel, Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs Unit, The Duckhorn Portfolio. Together, they offered a masterclass in navigating the wine industry with authenticity, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Stop Planning Your Next 20 Years

Amanda opened with unexpected advice. Stop obsessing over your long-term plan.

"When I was in your shoes, I worried about making the wrong relationships or the wrong career move," she said. "But careers are long. Instead of losing sleep over 10, 15, 20-year plans, focus on making this year the best it can be. Care about it and work hard."

Before joining the family business, Amanda spent years at Bain & Company in cross-industry sales and marketing. It was a stable corporate role that bore little resemblance to the fast-changing reality of a small family winery. The switch meant "running around putting fires out every day," but she has known since age five that wine was her calling. 

Her advice for knowing when to make your next leap? Ask yourself, are you still learning and gaining skills for your next role? If yes, it's not the worst idea to stay put.

The Personal Board of Mentors

All three panelists emphasized mentorship, but not in the traditional sense.

"You need a personal board of mentors," Amanda explained. "Different mentors for different advice, career changes, navigating social dynamics, and technical expertise. But you also need to do the work. Set your agenda, pre-read, and come up with questions. You get out what you put in."

Lauren stressed that meaningful connections beat mass networking every time. "At big events, it's hard to make real connections. What type of connecting resonates with you? That's networking." She encouraged students to seek out organic opportunities rather than forcing relationships.

And there's never been a better time to reach out. "People love talking about themselves," Amanda said. "You have carte blanche as a student to ask anything. It's never easier to reach out than right now."

Honest Career Talk

Lauren didn't sugarcoat leaving wine production due to economics and personal priorities. "It's not a great-paying entry-level job," she said frankly. "There were a million things that went into my decision. I wasn't getting out what I was really interested in." With her partner still in production, she sought flexibility and found it in corporate affairs.

Ron's path surprised even him. "I wasn't planning on being faculty at UC Davis when I was a student here," he admitted. After completing his master's, he found that academia offered opportunities for upstream research and meaningful industry interaction. His advice? "If you want to go back, maintain your network and don't burn bridges."

Juggling Glass and Rubber Balls

The conversation turned to work-life balance, a particularly thorny issue in the wine industry.

As a full-time working parent, Amanda practices ruthless prioritization and accepts not being the best at everything. "When you're juggling so many balls, make sure the ones you drop are rubber, not glass." 

Lauren shared she's "failed again and again at setting boundaries," and emphasized the importance of finding a company with a culture that suits you. “Half the battle is finding the right fit.” Another tactic she’s found valuable was seeking clarity by asking, "Is it a lack of knowledge, miscommunication, or boundary pushing?"

Ron stressed self-care as efficiency. "Taking care of myself means I'm more engaged and work more efficiently."

What Makes You Hireable?

The panel's hiring advice was refreshingly practical. Be conscientious. Lauren noted that many candidates lack the basics. "Send a thank-you email post-interview. Ask to send the Zoom invite. Anything you can do to show you care about their needs."

Be data-driven. Amanda emphasized that improving systems and being comfortable with data matters more than ever. "You don't need to be a pro at data analysis, but it's relevant in the data-driven era we're in."

Show broad interest. "In small and medium-sized wineries, you wear lots of hats," Amanda said. "Ask questions about broader business needs. Show you understand strategy beyond your specific role."

Lauren's advice was direct. "Treat your boss like a client. Do work visibly and get credit for it. Be proactive."

The Wine Industry in 10 Years

The panelists offered varied but optimistic visions of the industry's future.

Amanda sees wine evolving with changing consumer habits, more local experiences, better storytelling, and more events. "Drinking less, maybe due to income or health, likely both. But wine will still be around and beautiful."

Ron is diversifying into distilled spirits while believing in the department's foundation. "We'll grow things differently and craft different wine styles rather than following someone else's recipe."

Lauren anticipates consolidation, fewer wineries with fewer employees, and innovation in low- and no-alcohol options.

Across their different paths, one message stood out. Authenticity, continuous learning, and genuine relationships matter far more than any rigid career plan. For students navigating their own paths, that's advice worth raising a glass to.

This Executive Leadership Board Career Panel was hosted by the Davis Enology and Viticulture Organization, Women+ and Wine, and the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. Learn more about the Department of Viticulture and Enology at their website.

Kaylianne Jordan is a junior transfer student studying Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. She has a background in culinary arts and a passion for sustainable farming and enjoys exploring the connections between agriculture, winemaking, and community. Outside of college, she loves trying out new recipes, discovering local food spot.