Our Team

Jan Krupp 
Founder
 

An oenophile with a green thumb, Jan was a hobby winemaker and suburban farmer in the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. Though a full-time doctor, in his spare time, he grew everything from green beans to gooseberries and produced beautiful wines, using his driveway and basement as a makeshift winery.

While still a full-time doctor Jan moved to Napa in 1991, to start growing things on a larger scale - beginning with a 41-acre vineyard around his new home. With his brother Bart, he would develop two more vineyards, including the iconic Stagecoach Vineyard. In 1998, he sold his medical practice and the following year, Bart and Jan founded the winery.
 

Bart Krupp
Founder

Bart was in his early 20s when his older brother Jan would return to New Jersey to visit his family with magnificent California wines in tow. As Bart began to become more knowledgeable, he would seek out European wines – which were then much more prevalent than California wines on the east coast – for his brother to try.

Together, the two developed their palates, broadened their knowledge and strengthened their brotherly bond. Bart's wise counsel and support have been crucial to the success of the vineyards and Krupp Brothers. Bart divides his time between Montclair, New Jersey – not far from where the brothers grew up – and Napa.

Desiree O’Donovan
Winemaker

Raised in the California Wine Country, Desiree O’Donovan was studying for a career in dentistry when a part-time job at a local winery opened her eyes to her true passion. 

After completing internships at several notable local wineries, she began her career at a Napa custom crush facility, where she became the Assistant Winemaker. There she had the opportunity to learn different winemaking styles and work with many boutique wineries, including Krupp Brothers. Impressed by her talent and dedication, Desiree was one of Dr. Krupp's first hires when Krupp Brothers had the opportunity to move to its own winery facility.

 

Sandy Huffine
Executive Vice President

Sandy travels from her home in Dallas throughout the country, imparting her passion for food and wine and sharing the story of Krupp Brothers. With her boundless energy, huge smile and personality to match, her favorite part of the job is meeting people from different walks of life who are passionate about what they do. Her energy inspires people everywhere.

Sandy has more than 20 years experience in the wine, food and hospitality industry. While overseeing the Fine Wine portfolio for Republic Beverage Company in Texas, she was introduced to Krupp Brothers wines and met Joshua and Jan Krupp.

When she's not on the road sharing our wines, she enjoys playing with her dogs, Skylar and Graci, spending time with her nieces and nephews and savoring a glass - or two - of Synchrony.

Nikki Lincoln 
Director of Hospitality & Regional Sales Manager

Nikki wears two hats for Krupp Brothers. As our concierge extraordinare, she provides guests with unforgettable tasting experiences. She loves to share her intimate knowledge of the vineyard and winemaking with guests. Her authenticity, passion and kindness are infectious.

As our regional sales manager, she also brings Krupp Brothers to restaurants, shops and wine lovers throughout the west coast! A Napa native, she was practically born with a wine glass in her hand and she loves that her job is to share some of the valley's finest wine with others. 

 

Jon Bain
Tasting Room Manager

Jon moved from Boston to work in Silicon Valley as a software writer in 1994. When his wife left tech to start working at a winery, he noticed that she was having a lot more fun at work than he was. Seventeen years ago, he followed suit and has never looked back.

 At the Tasting Room, he loves meeting people from all over the country and the world, being able to teach guests about wine and share the Krupp Brothers story while also learning from them and listening to their stories. His goal, he says, is that each guest has fun during their time with him, because “in the end, that's why they're here.”

 

Tyler Hinsley
Outreach Manager 

With a background in Sales and Marketing management, Tyler brings with him an understanding of the wine business, hospitality, and social media. He loves the innovation, creativity and authentic passion that goes into a bottle of wine. Seeing this play out daily at Krupp Brothers has become a dream come true for him

Tyler’s enthusiasm, warmth and extraordinary knowledge about wine are infectious, whether he is pouring at the Tasting Room, hosting at our Estate, or sharing our wines on the road. When he’s not pouring – and enjoying – his favorite Krupp Brothers wines, Veraison and M5, you can find him playing basketball or tennis.

Sarah Krupp
Wine Club & Communications Manager

What Sarah loves most about being part of her family’s business is the passion that goes into every bottle. Knowing that each vintage was painstakingly crafted, sparing no expense, gives her great pride in sharing the Krupp Brothers story and wine. As the wine club and communications Manager, she sees her role as not only sharing Krupp Brothers with those who love the wine as much as she does, but also making sure that every club member experience is as exceptional as the wine we make.

 

 

 

Fredrick Umfress 
Sales Associate

With a vivacious personality and a love for entertaining others, Fredrick always knew he wanted to pursue a career in hospitality. Born and raised in the Bay Area (with brief stints in England and Texas as an Air Force kid), he was brought up with an appreciation of food through his Italian heritage.

When not crafting one-of-a-kind experiences for guests, Fredrick can be found at home continuing his wine education, playing old records and spending time with his family.

 

 

Sierra Fiddler
Sales Associate

Sierra grew up running through vineyards, all the while observing the changes through the seasons and the care of the vines. Her interest would develop into an appreciation for winemaking, from vine to bottle.  After earning her BS in Wine Business from Sonoma State University, she has continued her studies and has been awarded the prestigious Wine and Spirits Education (WSET) Level 3 advanced certification.  Sierra’s knowledge and passion come through in each guest experience, which are always fun and informative but never pretentious.