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Lisa Bishop Forbes is an award-winning, creative winemaker with more than 15 years in leadership positions at ultra-premium wineries. She is dedicated to crafting exceptional wines that are flavorful, enjoyable, and reflective of their place. Lisa’s skilled decision making and production management abilities serve her clients well. Practiced at building effective working relationships, Lisa thrives in a collaborative environment.
Lisa launched her consulting business, Lisa Bishop Forbes Winemaking, in 2020. She is the President and winemaker of Bard Clan Wines, creating unique grape and fruit wines and blends with her visionary business partner, Craig Riordan. Her consulting clients include SUTRO Wine Company, a boutique Alexander Valley winery specializing in Bordeaux varieties; Roden Wines, a Russian River estate Pinot Noir maker; and MoniClaire Vineyards, a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc vineyard and winery. Lisa’s focus is helping boutique winery owners and aspiring wine entrepreneurs create exceptional wines.
Prior to embracing the self-employed life, Lisa managed production and operations as winemaker for Ektimo Vineyards and Ross Road Custom Crush, a family-owned winery in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. During her five years at Ektimo and Ross Road, Lisa built up and retained the custom crush clientele through continually improving logistics and organization, and an emphasis on conscientious customer service. Elevating the quality of the Ektimo wines was a key endeavor, as was managing relationships with the winery owners, cellar staff, and grape growers.
Previously, Lisa held winemaking positions at Chalk Hill Estate and Dry Creek Vineyard, both iconic Sonoma County wineries. Earlier, formative roles include assistant winemaker at Chalk Hill Estate, and enologist at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the Napa Valley, where Lisa started her winemaking career.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology from California State University, Fresno, and Certificates in Wine Business Management and Wine Entrepreneurship from Sonoma State University. She is an active member of Women for Winesense, served on the board as roundtables director, and was chair of the winemaking roundtable.