TEAM
mEET THE GATEHOUSE BRANDS TEAM
kristin vogele, founder and president
Kristin grew up in a suburb of Seattle and is the youngest of five siblings. Her father was a Boeing engineer, her mother a nurse. Wearing cowboy boots and riding horses before she could walk Kristin spent her childhood riding and showing horses. Kristin went on to have a successful, twenty-year career in the software industry that saw her go from being one of sixteen employees at a small startup to managing global development teams for the IBM Company. In 2005, Kristin decided to change course and focus full time on the family wine business she and Thomas started. Today, after several award-winning vintages she finds that it is not just her love of wine that drives her passion, but rather it is the meaningful interactions and the stories shared by customers that inspire her the most.
kristin@gatehousebrands.com
BRENDA LOBBATO, vice President of Sales and marketing
Equipped with a 30-year career in the wine, spirits and distribution business, Brenda comes to Gatehouse Brands with a passion for wine, innovation and storytelling. After working in distribution in Portland, Oregon, she joined Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of America’s most prestigious and dominant wine companies. Her roles at Ste. Michelle included District Manager, Director of Global Accounts, Division Manager, and Vice President. Brenda’s depth of experience provides a strong understanding of trade channels and marketing strategies. She lives in Portland, Oregon, loves traveling, hiking, cooking and drinking great wines.
brenda@gatehousebrands.com
thomas vogele, founder and business development
Founder Thomas Vogele is a Seattle native and graduate of the University of Washington. Thomas began his wine career in 1992 with the E.&J. Gallo Winery. After six years with Gallo including a role in Central Europe, Thomas joined Trinchero Family Estates followed by five years with the Robert Mondavi Winery. In 2005, Thomas became a Founding Partner of FOLIO Fine Wine Partners with the Michael Mondavi Family in Napa Valley. He has held several key positions with FOLIO including Vice President of Sales, Director of National Accounts and Western Regional Manager.
thomas@gatehousebrands.com