Thatcher’s Wine is a bottle shop and importer based in the Bay Area & Brentwood, LA featuring wines from some of the world’s most dynamic domaines and emerging winemakers. From exceptional everyday bottles to rarified finds, our highly curated cellar focuses on honest expressions of climate and terroir from across Europe.

The Cellar

Thatcher’s Wine is driven by the excitement and passion of our skilled sommelier team. Our training is rooted in Michelin-starred restaurants and the traditions of old world wineries, paired with a curiosity for discovering the emerging regions and young winemakers who are actively moving the industry forward. From sought-after classics to small productions, we personally select each bottle featured on our site.

OUR TEAM

Thatcher Baker-Briggs

FOUNDER

Thatcher brings 16 years of experience in Michelin-starred hospitality to his ongoing discovery and curation of world-class wines. Beginning his career in the kitchens of West in Vancouver and COI in San Francisco, he leveraged his early appreciation of ingredients and nuanced flavor profiles to pass the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier exam at just 22 years old. From there, Thatcher joined the team at Saison in San Francisco, where he began to hone his open-minded approach to the modern world of wine. Several years later, he seized the opportunity to move to Tokyo and work at Takazawa, a World’s 50 Best Restaurant where he earned the title of Head Sommelier and a Wine Spectator’s Best of Excellence Award for the restaurant.
 In 2018, Thatcher returned to Saison to become the restaurant’s Director of Service & Beverage, during which time he was asked to consult on a number of private wine collections. In the months that followed, he became a sought-after resource for clients across the U.S., Europe and Asia, formally launching Thatcher’s Wine Consulting in April of 2019....

Thatcher’s Wine is a natural extension of this consulting practice, allowing him to bring sought-after bottles to a wider audience.

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Courtney Wieland

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Courtney discovered her love for hospitality at the age of 14 and has never looked back. Beginning in family friends' restaurants and eventually moving to luxury fine dining and specializing in wine, Courtney brings 15 years of hospitality experience to the table. Prior to her current role as Director of Operations at Thatcher’s Wine, Courtney was most recently the Wine Director for The Modern, the winner of the Wine Spectator Grand Award and two-Michelin starred restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Courtney began at Starwood Hotels and the W Hotel in Hoboken before making the jump to Manhattan, where she oversaw members-only restaurant Sidecar before moving to Tribeca Grill, a New York staple for wine. Courtney’s determination to continue her studies in fine wine brought her to work with Master Sommelier Michael Engelmann at The Modern as Junior Sommelier, where in just four years, Courtney worked her way from Junior Sommelier to Wine Director. In her current role, Courtney oversees operations for both Thatcher’s Imports and Thatcher’s Wine, leading both the imports and sales teams. She works with Thatcher in sourcing new wine producers, and manages producer onboarding and communications, in addition to handling private client and allocations for Thatcher’s Imports. Courtney also serves Thatcher’s Wine Consulting’s private clients, assisting in cellar acquisitions and sales, in addition to managing the Thatcher’s Wine Cellar Access monthly subscription program. Courtney is an expert in blending her knowledge of wine by translating the complex and often highbrow world of wine into language that’s simple and straightforward, and tailored to each client’s preferences and personality....

Her philosophy is centered on the belief that wine is humble, exciting, and approachable. “I want people to have a good time and experience new things, or enjoy the classics." Courtney’s extensive experience in wine ranges from regions such as Champagne, Burgundy, the Rhône, and Australia, and she also has a deep interest in sustainability and regenerative farming methods. Particularly with her interest in Champagne, Courtney feels wine enthusiasts are finally starting to look at Champagne and understand the diversity, versatility and complexity of it--moving beyond its previous designation as a celebratory start to a meal. This movement mirrors the overall theme in the wine industry, where Courtney feels that the new wave of winemakers “are some very talented people in the winemaking world, doing some awesome things without fully breaking tradition, but branching out a bit with a bigger sense of curiosity and willingness.”

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Thatcher's Imports & Sales

Douglas Kahn

HEAD OF SALES | Thatcher's Wine & Imports California

Doug Kahn joins Thatcher’s Wine with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and four years in the fine wine industry. A Pennsylvania native raised just outside of Philly with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Temple University, Doug has held a range of front-of-house positions with prestigious restaurants in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago, including three-star Michelin Eleven Madison Park and two-star Michelin Sixteen. Doug caught the wine bug at Eleven Madison Park while learning to be a beer and cellar master. Soon after, Doug pursued his certifications through the Court of Master Sommeliers and passed his Advanced exam in 2017.

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Prior to joining TWC, Doug sold high-end fine wine, as well as managed diverse European collections for VinBrucke in Napa. Doug has long entertained a passion for food, service and wine and currently oversees the direct import portfolio at TWC as well as manages day-to-day sales. “I love the wines. I love that the business is growing and it makes me feel inspired. Thatcher is pushing the market forward and inspiring consumers to think differently when they drink,” Doug says of joining the team. Doug values the comradery of wine. When asked what his favorite pairing is, he always says, "good company.” In his free time, Doug enjoys drinking wine, being a dad and husband, playing golf, and reading.

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John Cerasulo

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Thatcher’s Wine & Imports Sales

Wine is embedded in John Cerasulo’s family history. His grandfather was a winemaker in Messina, Sicily, and brought the tradition of winemaking to New Haven, Connecticut in the 1950’s. John retraced his grandfather’s footsteps in a way through fine arts, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Painting and Drawing from the Southern Connecticut State University, and then traveling to Italy to complete a Post Baccalaureate in Printmaking from the University of Urbino. Upon completing a Master of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, John worked in sales roles, from apparel in New York City to wine in southern California, to support his work as an artist. Prior to joining the sales team at Thatcher’s Wine, John worked in wine sales for California for Kogod Wine Merchant, and then Rosenthal Wine Merchant.

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Prior to his role at Thatcher’s Wine, John was previously the Wine Director and Head Sommelier at Anajak Thai Food, a Michelin-recognized and James Beard Award-winning restaurant in Sherman Oaks that was awarded “Restaurant of the Year” by the Los Angeles Times in 2022. Based in Los Angeles, John is the happiest when enjoying wine and educating others about the wines that excite him. He has a passion for ethereal, contemplative wines that have a sense of place. He is enthusiastic about wines from Burgundy, Champagne, Italy, and Germany, along with some avant-garde natural wine producers around the world.

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Hannah Williams

HEAD OF SALES | Thatcher’s Wine & Imports New York

Hannah Williams leads East Coast Sales for Thatcher’s Imports & Thatcher’s Wine, bringing her deep love of wine and hospitality to New York’s dynamic restaurant scene. With a focus on expanding wholesale partnerships and private client sales, she’s passionate about connecting top establishments with Thatcher’s exceptional wines—and sharing the unique stories behind each bottle. Hannah’s journey into wine began in an unexpected place: the University of Edinburgh’s competitive Blind Tasting Team. What started as a casual curiosity quickly evolved into a full-fledged passion, leading her from academia to the heart of New York City’s wine scene. She honed her skills at Wine & Spirits Magazine before stepping into the hospitality world, where she played pivotal roles at La Sirena Ristorante and the acclaimed Blue Hill at Stone Barns. As Beverage Director, she curated an award-winning wine program. She earned recognition for her thoughtful approach to wines through the prestigious International Sparkling Wine List of the Year award from Star Wine Lists and Best New Sommelier from Wine & Spirits.

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Currently pursuing her Master Sommelier Diploma, Hannah’s dedication to continuous learning is evident. When she’s not immersed in flashcards and vineyard maps, she’s likely enjoying her favorite grower Champagne—ideally with her husband cooking and their spirited dog, Dujac, by her side. In Hannah’s words, “I love to see a team composed of former fine dining Sommeliers and Beverage Directors from Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide. While my experience has been rooted in the dining room, I believe hospitality extends far beyond the walls of a restaurant. Whether it's helping other programs discover their next favorite producers to feature in wine pairings, earning the trust of private clients to curate their cellars, or fostering meaningful connections between growers and consumers, the essence of hospitality lies in creating memorable experiences and genuine relationships. I am excited to bring this perspective to a broader stage. “ Originally from Miami, Hannah’s diverse culinary roots influence her approach to wine, believing that great bottles have the power to connect people and tell stories. Whether it’s introducing clients to their next favorite producer or curating private cellars, she sees wine as a bridge between culture, craftsmanship, and community. Her philosophy? “Selosse, Selosse, Selosse.” A mantra gifted to her on a custom sweater by a cherished guest—perfectly capturing her enduring love affair with wine.

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Warehouse & Logistics Coordinators

Daniel Estrada

HEAD OF WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Daniel Estrada’s path into the wine industry has been atypical. Daniel first became acquainted with wine at the age of 22 while driving through the Russian River Valley. On a Saturday afternoon, an unexpected visit to Joseph Swan Winery coincided with a barrel tasting weekend. The opportunity to meet the winemaker and learn about the history of the family vineyard and wines sparked a keen interest in Daniel in learning about new producers, discovering new wines, and understanding the history behind them. Daniel spent seven years working in the aerospace industry selling airplane and helicopter parts to the U.S. government, before his wife encouraged him to go after what he was passionate about. She always caught the twinkle in his eye when they spent time in wine country.

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Daniel began his pivot by achieving his WSET 1 and 2, Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination, and Certified Specialist of Wine. He noticed the e-commerce space was thriving among a young generation of wine consumers and he wanted to meet them there. He began his career in the wine industry just prior to COVID-19, working for two wine distributors. His work at La Belle Vie, a small portfolio of French wines focused on supporting small family wineries, allowed him to dive deep into knowledge of French wines as well as wines from other classic regions. As Cellar Master at Thatcher’s Wine Consulting, Daniel ensures all the orders placed by the clients are packaged, shipped or stored in a prompt and professional manner. He also supports Noah in receiving wine from Europe, fulfilling private client requests, and maintaining the cellar of Thatcher’s Wine as it continues to grow. In his spare time you will find Daniel playing recreational league soccer, golf, and taking his dog, Wallace, to the park on the weekends.

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Garrett Smith

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Garrett Smith was first introduced to the idea of wine as a career at the prized Mayflower Inn Spa in Connecticut while working to save money to fund a fledgling sports writing career. Noticing potential in the tireless young man, the Head Sommelier instructed Garrett to first organize the dusty cellar, and later invited him to join tastings with distributors. Before long, Garrett was acting as part-time sommelier by age 22, and hungry to learn more. Soon after, Garrett journeyed across the country to California, where he studied at the Professional Culinary Institute and passed his Certified Sommelier exam. On a lark, he was accepted to The French Laundry’s Vinternship program under Master Sommelier Dennis Kelly, who took Garrett under his wing to polish the rough edges and focus his energy.

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After three years in Napa Valley, including his first role as wine buyer at Redd, Garrett was offered a chance to return to the East Coast to join the wine team at Restaurant Daniel under Raj Vaidya. Following two rewarding years of serving wine at Daniel Boulud’s flagship, Garrett seized the incredible challenge of grasping an entirely new cuisine at Daisuke Nakazawa’s eponymous edomae restaurant in the West Village.

In his final three years in New York, Garrett consulted for King Street Sommeliers, while also constructing a wine warehouse for high-net-worth clientele in the Bronx, for which he was the sole operator for two years. After the birth of their child in 2020, Garrett chose to return to California, where he settled in Sonoma County. After working harvest for Ted Lemon at Littorai, Thatcher and Garrett were introduced by a mutual friend, and Garrett jumped at the opportunity to join a phenomenal team. Garrett’s personal hallmark is creating space for a guest or client to feel empowered in their choices, and making wine approachable for anyone. One of his biggest accomplishments is having a child in the middle of a pandemic, and raising her “to be an incredible powerhouse.” In his free time, Garrett enjoys fitness and sports, and spending time with his daughter.

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Simone Popov

WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE

Simone Popov’s path into the wine world is an unconventional one, having grown up in Kyiv, Ukraine where beer and vodka were more prevalent. He was oblivious of wine until he attended Sonoma State University in the heart of wine country. As he pursued a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Simone dreamed of becoming a sports agent, a role in which he imagined he would be negotiating deals and signing contracts for Europe’s most prominent club teams, and one day rubbing shoulders with the stars of his beloved Liverpool F.C. Upon graduation, Simone took a sales role with Regal Wine Co. in California distribution. Intrigued, Simone reevaluated his career focus, and decided to pursue his newfound interest in wine. .

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After working in tasting rooms throughout Napa and Sonoma, Simone became a wine educator at Chateau Montelena, one of Napa’s most historic wineries. At Chateau Montelena, he learned about the hospitality side of the industry, and came to understand the uniqueness and beauty of wine. With a profound interest in learning more, Simone went on to achieve his WSET Diploma and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) certifications, and returned to Sonoma State to earn a Master’s in Wine Business Strategies. Prior to joining Thatcher’s Wine, Simone worked simultaneously as a brand manager and retail wine clerk at Bottle Barn in Sonoma throughout the pandemic, and the 2022 harvest with Thomas Rivers Brown in Calistoga. A month-long voyage through France just prior to the pandemic solidified Simone’s passion for storytelling and wine education, which is reflected through his own wine blog, The [Wine] Dispatch, and teaching courses at the San Francisco Wine Academy, in addition to his work in operations and logistics for Thatcher’s Wine.

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Thatcher's Wine LA

Jack Goldman

WINE DIRECTOR & GENERAL MANAGER- Thatcher's Wine LA

Jack Goldman is the Wine Director & General Manager of Thatcher’s Wine LA in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Previously, Jack was the Wine Director for Jon & Vinny’s restaurant group where he led the curation of the wine and beverage programs at all of the Helen’s and Jon & Vinny’s locations. Jack joined Jon & Vinny’s in 2019 as a sommelier at their Brentwood location, before becoming Wine Director at Jon & Vinny’s in Fairfax.

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Jack possesses over 12 years of experience working in the wine and hospitality industry in Los Angeles. Born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Los Angeles, Jack started to follow in the footsteps of his father, a third generation jeweler, before finding his passion working in restaurants. As a server and bartender early on in his career, he became interested in small-production and organically farmed wines. His curiosity led him to dive head-first into the world of wine, dedicating himself to studying viticulture and eventually becoming a sommelier.

Jack takes pride in bringing people together over food and wine, and introducing guests to new regions, varietals, and winemakers. Like much of the Thatcher’s Wine team, he is enthusiastic about Burgundy and Champagne, and most inspired by the younger generation of producers who are taking their Domaines to new heights by creating dynamic wines with integrity. In his current role leading day-to-day operations at Thatcher’s Wine LA, Jack’s passion shines through his approach to hospitality and expertise.

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Haley O'Brien 

SOMMELIER- Thatcher's Wine LA

Haley O'Brien's journey into the world of wine is a testament to her adventurous spirit and unwavering dedication. Hailing from Burbank, California, she honed her skills both on the soccer field and in the classroom at the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a degree in Social Ecology with a minor in Criminology/Law and Society. It was during her time living in France that Haley's passion for wine was ignited. Immersed in the rich wine culture of the region, she delved deep into the world of viticulture, exploring vineyards, studying, and tasting extensively.

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Upon her return to the United States, Haley embarked on a career in the wine industry, beginning as a wine steward at Eataly before expanding her expertise through diverse roles in hospitality and production. From her time as a Cellar Hand at Neyers Vineyards and Schramsberg to her tenure as a Senior Sales Coordinator at First Bottle, Haley's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to excellence. As a diploma student in WSET and court-certified sommelier Haley is dedicated to making wine approachable and enjoyable for all. Now, as a Sommelier at Thatcher's Wine Brentwood, Haley brings her expertise and passion to curate personalized wine experiences for customers. “I’m thrilled by the opportunity to join a team that shares similar values and enthusiasm for wine,” says Haley. “Working alongside such a driven and well-established team is an exciting and rare opportunity. The collection at Thatcher’s Wine is expansive and provides a unique opportunity to share delightful moments and create meaningful connections with others.”

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Peter Njoroge

SOMMLIER - Thatcher's Wine LA

Peter's journey into the wine world began at 21, while visiting Domestique, a wine shop in Washington, DC renowned for its focus on Jura and Loire Valley wines. This curiosity blossomed into a job and inspired a deeper exploration of wine. During this time, Peter also interned for a harvest season with Ben Jordan, a progressive Virginia winemaker. After earning a degree in journalism at USC with a focus on food writing, Peter penned a thesis tracing the journey of organically and biodynamically farmed wines from French cellars to California. Weekends were spent selling wine at Jon & Vinny’s, where Peter first connected with Jack. Ultimately, a passion for wine eclipsed the journalism path, leading Peter to complete the Court of Master Sommeliers introductory course and work at some of LA’s top wine destinations, including Domaine LA and Jon & Vinny'a/ Helen'ss. Peter’s favorite grape is Chenin Blanc, and his love for Loire Valley whites is exemplified by producers like Brendan Stater-West, Romain Guiberteau, and Clos Rougeard. One of his favorite pairings is a rich Chenin Blanc with aromatic, spicy jerk chicken.

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Raised in Northern Virginia near Washington, DC, Peter grew up exploring the city’s vibrant food, coffee, and cocktail scene—an early influence on his journey into hospitality and wine. A jazz enthusiast,, Peter plays jazz in the shop daily and seeks out live performances whenever possible. Coffee also remains a beloved hobby, with visits to unique cafes worldwide being a regular pursuit. Having encountered Thatcher’s imports portfolio at Jon & Vinny’s, Peter was drawn to the distinct bottles and the shop’s unique inventory. Joining Thatcher’s feels like a natural progression in a career dedicated to sharing the joy, knowledge, and culture of wine. For Peter, wine serves as a bridge to nature, geography, taste, culture, and personal connection. Sharing good wine and its stories with customers, coworkers, and friends is not just a job—it’s a source of constant inspiration and joy. As a sommelier at Thatcher’s Wine Brentwood, Peter focuses on delivering an exceptional customer experience while ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. With a passion for creating positive and memorable wine shop experiences, Peter aims to cultivate a diverse community of regular visitors while helping them access Thatcher’s world-class inventory. For Peter, sharing and discussing wine is more than a profession—it's a lifelong pursuit.

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