ONEHOPE Anniversary Leadership Reflections

Coming of age: Eighteen years, countless milestones, and one big mission.

In celebration of 18 incredible years, ONEHOPE Anniversary Leadership Reflections offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain. We asked seven leaders—our co-founders, winemaker, and winery team—18 questions to reflect on the journey that brought ONEHOPE to life. From grassroots beginnings to global impact, their answers tell a story of resilience, purpose, and unwavering belief in what’s possible.

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ONEHOPE Anniversary Leadership Reflections: 18 Questions, 18 Years of Impact

1. Is there a memory from the early years that perfectly captures the spirit of the company at that time?   

Tiffany Wojtkiewicz, President & Co-Founder: “Wow, so many! The early days with our founding team were really special. We were in our early 20’s and just naive enough to not totally know what we were getting into (entering the wine industry is incredibly difficult), but just passionate enough to make it happen. I remember when we dropped off one of our first donation checks ever to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It was one of those moments where the impact we were working so hard to make became real. It was then that it really solidified in my mind that we were going to make a difference in the world, and that it was going to be big.”

2.  What were some of the most special milestones to witness during the company’s history?

Jake Kloberdanz, CEO & Co-Founder: “When we started ONEHOPE in 2007, we worked with a winemaker in Sonoma to make 168 cases of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Myself and our co-founder Tom drove those cases down to southern california, and our team of co-founders essentially began selling it out of the backs of our cars. Our team has been scrappy like that from the start, and I think that’s an important part of our culture – we do the best we can with what we have at any given moment. Within our first year of business, we got our Chardonnay into Costco. That was a big win for us that gave us a lot of momentum.

Fast forward to 2019 — I visited the first school we helped fund in Guatemala. Experiencing the impact firsthand was incredibly moving. Moments like these fuel my passion, reminding me why we do this work and inspiring me to keep pushing toward meaningful change for the next generation.”

3. What were some of the biggest design and experience inspirations that were the guiding lights as we developed the property in Napa?

Megan Kloberdanz, Art Director | Interior & Experience Design: “True to our brand, we wanted the spaces to feel community focused with lots of gathering spaces to facilitate connection and conversation. Our communal tables have hosted people quite literally trying to change the world for the better by solving some of the greatest challenges of our time. It gives me the chills when I reflect on it! The aesthetic direction was inviting and textural, curated and layered with stories, spacious but never opulent. Nothing at our property is too precious to be lived in and I think that’s important.”

4. Do you have a morning ritual that sets your day up for success? 

Tom Leahy, Chief Compliance Officer & Co-Founder: “I always have coffee, and I sometimes read or exercise, but I try to get up and get going on the earlier side. I have three kids, so this schedule is always changing!”

5. What’s one unforgettable harvest story — funny, stressful, or inspiring — that’s stuck with you?

Isadora Frias, Winemaker: “On my first harvest, I was living in Australia and working 12-14 hour shifts, 6 days a week. I did not know much about wine then and the nightshift crew was very small. All night long I was walking back and forth from the lab to the truck scale. One night, between weighing grapes, inspecting trucks and running juice analysis, I ran through the cellar and caught a tank gushing red wine through one of the valves. My instinct told me to cover the valve with my hands to stop as much wine from coming out as I could. I yelled for help for minutes before someone showed up to help set up to transfer the wine to a different tank. Needless to say, I was covered in wine. At that moment I was told I had been “blessed”. I loved the thrill of it and every minute of that harvest season. That changed something in me and I decided to turn my career towards winemaking.”

6. What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced growing the company? 

Tiffany Wojtkiewicz, President & Co-Founder: “Pivoting our company’s structure from primarily wholesale distribution to a direct-to-consumer model was a significant moment for us. Change is never easy but we knew it was the right move.

It allowed us to empower so many individuals with the ability to make a difference in their community, simply with wine and bringing people together. Meaningful & lasting change is never easy or fast. There are rarely any shortcuts to success, and we’ve built this company one day at a time with a lot of hardworking & passionate people that want to make a lasting difference in the world.”

7. Why was wine chosen versus any other product that gave back?

Kristen Shroyer, Chief Impact Officer & Co-Founder: “People often ask why we chose wine for ONEHOPE’s give-back model. For us, wine is inherently about connection – it’s a special product that’s almost always shared, bringing loved ones together for celebrations and meaningful conversations. We saw an opportunity to weave purpose into these moments, creating a product that not only enhances those cherished experiences but also gives back with every bottle. Wine, with its power to unite and create joy, felt like the perfect vehicle to foster a community dedicated to both savoring life and serving others, turning every shared glass into an act of hope and a catalyst for positive change.”

8. Since Estate 8 opened in 2018, and the winery in 2020, have there been any moments at the property that stand out as especially memorable?

Megan Kloberdanz, Art Director | Interior & Experience Design:“In the summer of 2019, we hosted an event for a local non-profit. As a team, we’d just been through the ringer of a year – opening, hiring/onboarding, developing systems and processes, learning on the fly, and iterating on experiences. It was an equally exhausting and exhilarating time. That event goes down as one of the largest that we’ve held on property to date and was quite the feat. As the sun was setting, the band began playing “Imagine” by John Lennon and our team gathered in a circle to listen and hug each other. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. There was this collective understanding that we did it (!) and that this place had served its purpose – to gather people together to make an impact. And while we still had so much to learn, we’d been through something that made us more than just a work community.”

9. If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing about building a business, what would it be?

Tiffany Wojtkiewicz, President & Co-Founder: “You’re never done learning. I used to think that maybe one day I would “have it all figured out” or have “made it”. We’ve had some big wins to celebrate, but so much of a career (and life for that matter) is just about putting one foot in front of the other, and doing your best with what you’ve got.”

10. How do you keep innovation alive in the industry — where do you find inspiration now?

Angelique Ball, Winery General Manager: “The wine and alcohol industry is saturated with innovation as new products, brands, and stories are everywhere. While this offers consumers more choices than ever, it also creates a distraction, making it harder to discover and connect with brands that one can admire and trust. I’m inspired by classic marketing, focusing on the roots of who we are, our story, and our mission. At the core, exceptional quality wine and meaningful hospitality are what truly resonate. Sales and hospitality innovation includes keeping experiences fresh, making our communications engaging, and delighting guests and consumers with thoughtful touches. Winning the hearts and minds of both loyal fans and new consumers doesn’t require gimmicks—it requires authenticity, consistency, and finding meaningful ways to deepen the connection.”

11. Every wine has a story. Is there one wine that stands out as a little extra memorable or special?

Kristen Shroyer, Chief Impact Officer & Co-Founder: “Our Napa Valley Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon is extra special, since all of the founders and our children planted the vines ourselves for that wine in August 2020. It was such a hopeful and exciting time, getting our hands dirty together and dreaming about the wines that would eventually come from those tiny vines.

It took a few years for the baby vines to mature and produce enough fruit to make wine, and although it’s still not quite ready to make a robust Cabernet Sauvignon out of it yet – our winemaking team worked their magic and made a truly delicious Rosé from the young grapes. Every sip of that Rosé brings back vivid memories of that sunny August day, the laughter, and the shared effort of our families.

What makes it even more special is the anticipation for this upcoming harvest, as it will be the first year we’ll be able to make our flagship Cabernet Sauvignon from those very same vines we planted. So, drinking this Rosé is extra special, not only for the wonderful memories we had planting it, but also for the promise it holds for the future. It’s a beautiful representation of our journey and the patience and passion that goes into every bottle.”

12. What’s something most people don’t know about how wine is actually made?

Isadora Frias, Winemaker: “There is a lot in winemaking that I did not realize when I started making wine and studying to be a winemaker. Although I had a general idea that I would need to know about chemistry, fermentation science and vine growing, I did not realize I would need to know in such detail about geography (soil, macro and micro climate, etc.), biology (yeast DNA, pathways of metabolism, etc) and engineering/mechanics (how to troubleshot and fix equipment, understand why each type of equipment is better or worse for the wine based on how it behaves, etc), amongst others.

What I have noticed throughout the years is that most people don’t know that during red wine making, the color and tannins actually come mostly from the grape skins, and not from the juice. Very few grape varieties actually have a colorful pulp/juice.”

13. What’s something people misunderstand or don’t realize about the wine industry?

Tom Leahy, Chief Compliance Officer & Co-Founder: “Surprisingly, even though the wine world looks pretty big and competitive, it’s actually more like a tight little group where everyone helps each other out. Instead of everyone trying to beat each other, winemakers and vineyard folks are always sharing stuff, giving tips, and lending a hand, especially when it’s harvest time and things get crazy. This whole vibe of working together, which comes from people knowing and respecting each other, leads to new ideas while keeping that personal, connected feeling in how wine’s always been made.”

14. Do you have one quote or mantra about leadership?

Megan Kloberdanz, Art Director | Interior & Experience Design:“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. The greatest leader is one who inspires others to do great things.”

15. Is there one give back project that you are most proud of?

Jake Kloberdanz, CEO & Co-Founder: “Building the solar powered energy grid in Columbia was really special. Getting to flip the switch and see a community literally and figuratively light up was really unbelievable. Internet, refrigeration, internet, charging, lights…  I will never forget flipping that switch!”

16. What is your definition of hospitality and creating a memorable experience?

Angelique Ball, Winery General Manager: “Hospitality is more than simply hosting a wine tasting—it’s about creating a sense of place with comfort and warmth, welcoming guests as if they were entering your own home. A truly memorable experience isn’t about reciting a script; it’s about sharing our story and genuinely connecting with guests, even in a brief visit. The goal is to get to know them so well that by the end, it feels like you could sit down to dinner together. In hospitality, reflecting on your own unforgettable experiences is valuable. Was it a moment of laughter, a meaningful insight, or an emotional connection that left its mark? Most likely, it was also the people who made it memorable. At ONEHOPE, we aim to create those same lasting impressions—where guests walk away not just remembering the wine, but cherishing the way they felt.”

17. If ONEHOPE were a person turning 18 (maybe one of your kids), how would you describe them today?

Kristen Shroyer, Chief Impact Officer & Co-Founder: “Oh, that’s such a great question! If ONEHOPE were a person turning 18 today, I’d look at them with so much pride. I’m incredibly proud of the mature, impactful “young adult” it has become.

Like any child and teenager, ONEHOPE has definitely had its share of challenges and growing pains, those difficult times that really test you. But it’s navigated those hurdles with resilience and has grown so much stronger and wiser because of them. It hasn’t been done alone, either. ONEHOPE has been surrounded by an incredible community of passionate people – our wine reps, customers, team members, and non-profit partners – who have all played a part in raising and nurturing it, helping it become who it is today. They’ve been the village that has helped shape its values and its drive to make a difference.

And just like 18 is such a pivotal and exciting year for a young adult – full of new opportunities, independence, and a sense of readiness to take on the world – I truly feel this year will be the same for ONEHOPE. It’s stepping into this new chapter with a solid foundation, a clear purpose, and is ready to embrace some really exciting changes and innovations as it continues to evolve and make its mark in this modern world. It’s exciting to think about all it’s going to achieve in this next phase.”

18. When you think about the next 18 years, what’s your biggest hope for ONEHOPE?

Jake Kloberdanz, CEO & Co-Founder: “Still continuing to make bold plans. Aim high with heart and purpose. Continuing to dream and design a future where every bottle builds a better world.”

Learn more about ONEHOPE’s ongoing impact initiatives and the causes we support with every bottle.