Our Team
Kevin and Debra Buckler founded The Racers Group (TRG) in 1992, achieving motorsports success with four Daytona 24 Hour wins, a Le Mans victory, and over 100 professional wins. They later established Adobe Road Winery in 2002, sourcing premium fruit from Sonoma County and Napa Valley vineyards, and launched The Racing Series ultra-premium brand in 2019, combining their motorsports team-building expertise with their passion for fine wine. Adobe Road Winery and The Racing Series Wines boast an exciting and passionate team of over 20 wonderful people.
Kevin Buckler
CEO
Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Buckler, leads the team. With 40 years of leading large and small organizations, an entrepreneurial unwavering drive, a strong marketing background, an incredible network and a palate that helps direct the style and continuity of the wine produced, it is truly his vision and drive that directs the organization.
Debra Buckler
CFO
Debra graduated Magna cum Laude from Drake University with a degree in Corporate Finance in just 3.5 years. She co-founded The Racers Group with Kevin in 1992 and has served as the CFO since its inception. Additionally, she holds the position of CFO at Buckler Family Vineyards, LLC. Over the years, Debra has worn many hats including a CA Real Estate license and a CA Motor Vehicle Dealers license and is integral to the success of the team.
Simba
CCO (Chief Canine Officer)
Simba Buckler is a 14 pound Australian Shepherd Mini, with a mix of “something”. She loves to travel, attend events, ride on the paddle board and swim to shore. Simba graduated with honors from both the Marin Humane Society and PetCo obedience schools and provides an infectious energy to the team.
WINEMAKING
Garrett Martin
Winemaker
Garrett has been at the helm of our winemaking since 2015. He excels in all aspects of his craft, from creating high quality single vineyard bottlings to assembling cutting edge creative blends which contributes to Adobe Road receiving over 117 90+ point scores from prominent publications. Collaborating closely with Kevin and the team, Garrett uses his winemaking skills and winery management to guide Adobe Road to new heights.
Carlos Rodriguez
Cellar Master
Carlos has over 20 years of experience in the California wine industry, and has been Adobe Road’s Cellar Master since 2015. Carlos is the always-dependable hands and feet in the cellar. With experience working from large scale producers to smaller boutique wineries, Carlos facilitates winemaking operations on any level and at the highest quality.
NATIONAL SALES TEAM
Gina Thomas
National Sales Director
As National Sales Director for Adobe Road Winery, Gina Thomas leads the winery’s national sales strategy, overseeing distributor partnerships, market expansion, and key account development across the United States. With more than 15 years of experience in the premium wine industry, she is passionate about building lasting relationships, growing the Adobe Road brand, and sharing its unique combination of world-class winemaking and motorsports heritage through exceptional customer experiences and strategic partnerships.
WINE CLUB & TASTING ROOM
Chris Trinks
Wine Club & Tasting Room Manager
Chris started her career in hospitality 19 years ago at Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood. She worked full-time in the tasting room and was promoted to Wine Club Manager. She has spent the last 8 years working at Kunde Family Winery as the Director of Membership where she doubled the size of the Wine Club and quadrupled the revenue generated in the Club. Chris is a valuable asset as she manages the Inside Track Wine Club and oversees our Tasting Room team.
Alicia Jaramillo
Tasting Room Associate
Alicia joined the wine industry after a successful career in law enforcement, turning her passion for wine into a professional role. She previously worked for two other Napa Valley wineries and currently splits her time between our Tasting Room and Telesales.
Melissa McGarry
Tasting Room Associate
Melissa has been at the tasting room since 2021. After moving up from Southern California, she settled in Petaluma in 2007 to teach at a local high school. Before teaching, she worked in the service industry at several restaurants, including Duke’s in Huntington Beach. Last year, she received her WSET Level 2 Award in Wines certification. At the tasting room, she enjoys educating guests about wine, as well as learning more herself every day.
Holly Alkire
Tasting Room Associate
Holly started her hospitality career with one of Petaluma’s best catering companies before transitioning to the wine industry five years ago. She has been with Adobe Road for two years and recently returned to the Petaluma area from Florida.
MARKETING
Bryan Nazario
Lead Business Development
Bryan brings more than a decade of experience in wine marketing, brand management, and business development having guided and grown premium wine brands. He has a proven track record of differentiating brands in highly competitive markets and driving growth through integrated marketing channels, consumer engagement, and strategic partnerships. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Bryan is also a licensed California attorney, having earned his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Chelsea Pearl
Marketing Coordinator
Chelsea brings over 15 years of social media and content marketing experience across the wine, CPG, and tech industries. Her career includes roles at We Heart It, Nintendo of America, Pirate Brands, and Del Monte Foods. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from San Francisco State University, as well as a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines certification.
Scott Nugent
Creative Director
Scott’s a Creative Director and graphic designer with over 20 years of experience in branding, packaging, and marketing. He currently leads creative at Adobe Road Winery and also run his own design studio, NUGENTCREATIVE.com. His background includes leadership roles at Copper Cane Wines & Provisions and Constellation Brands, where he developed packaging, POS campaigns, and marketing materials for well-known wine brands. He enjoys bringing ideas to life through thoughtful design and clear visual storytelling.
OFFICE & LOGISTICS
Josie Miller
Executive Assistant to the CFO
Josie Miller is the Executive Assistant to the CFO, bringing 7 years of experience in compliance and licensing, along with a strong background in accounting. Known for her dedication and positive attitude, Josie plays a key role in ensuring our operations meet the highest regulatory standards. Her attention to detail and proactive approach help streamline processes, and she is always ready to assist the CFO with any needs that arise, making her an invaluable asset to our team.
Joseph Galli
Logistics Manager
Joe serves as the manager of logistics at Adobe Road Winery, bringing fresh energy and a customer-focused approach to the team. In his role, Joe oversees warehouse fulfillment, inventory, and customer service operations. He plays an integral part in order management, ensuring a seamless journey from the warehouse to the customer’s doorstep. His dedication and leadership are key to delivering exceptional service from Adobe Road.
Joseph Simmons
Logistics Assistant
Joseph is the Inventory/Logistics/Shipping assistant whose main duties include managing and moving local inventory supplies and fulfilling shipments to customers, vendors, and sales managers for nationwide events. He has worked for more than a dozen years in a variety of warehousing and distribution related jobs in Sonoma County, gaining the experience necessary to ensure the highest quality standards of Adobe Road.
