Our Team
Behind every bottle is a passionate team dedicated to bringing Shady Lane Cellars to life. From vineyard to cellar to tasting room, each person plays a role in crafting not only our wines, but the experience that comes with them. We’re a group of hardworking, welcoming, and wine-loving individuals who take pride in what we do and we’re excited to share it with you.
Kasey Wierzba
GM & Executive Winemaker
Kasey began her journey at Shady Lane Cellars as Assistant Winemaker in 2013, rose to Winemaker in 2016 and earned her place as Executive Winemaker and General Manager in Summer 2022. Prior to her adventures on the Leelanau Peninsula, Kasey spent seven years in Napa Valley working for Far Niente, Rudd, and Frog’s Leap wineries. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Horticulture from Michigan State University. Wierzba and her family live in Traverse City, where they spend time mountain biking, downhill skiing and playing piano together. When she’s not at Shady Lane Cellars, she enjoys traveling with her family.
Maddie Vint
Assistant Winemaker & Marketing Specialist
Maddie Vint joined Shady Lane’s team as Assistant Winemaker in 2022. Born and raised in central Indiana, Maddie followed her family’s footsteps by graduating from Purdue University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business. Throughout college, Maddie worked as a cellar intern at Black Star Farms, followed by a production manager role at Carpenter Creek Cellars, where she later held a position as assistant winemaker for 2 years. After achieving an Enology degree in 2021, Vint moved out West to get more hands-on experience in Sonoma, California at Ram’s Gate Winery before finding her home base in Northern Michigan. Outside of wine, you can find her spending time with her golden retriever, Lola, on the trails mountain biking, or shredding some gnar downhill skiing when the weather is right!
Andy Fles
Vineyard & Facilities Manager
Andy joined our team in 2013, after spending some time with Peninsula Cellars on neighboring Old Mission Peninsula. After completing his horticulture degree at Michigan State University, Andy cut his teeth at a vineyard management company in Oregon. He is considered an invaluable resource at the winery and a bottomless well of plant knowledge, making him an essential part of the team. When he’s not working, he is likely spending time with family and friends or lacing up his shoes for a long run.
Alissha Swinson
Wine Club Manager & Customer Relations
Alissha joined the Shady Lane Cellars team in 2024 and recently stepped into the role of Wine Club Manager. Known for her warm personality and welcoming smile, she has a natural ability to make guests feel right at home the moment they walk through the tasting room doors. She brings enthusiasm and creativity to everything she does and is excited to help shape the next chapter of the Shady Lane wine club experience. Outside of the winery, Alissha enjoys spending time at the beach with her kids, exploring Northern Michigan’s vibrant food and wine scene, catching live concerts, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Richard LAuzon
Cellar Master
Richard has been part of the Shady Lane Cellars story for over a decade. He began working in the wine and vineyard industry in 2010, gaining hands-on vineyard experience under Craig Cunningham in vineyard management before joining Shady Lane for his first harvest in the cellar in 2012. Over the years, Richard has remained a familiar and dependable part of the team, occasionally stepping away to continue vineyard work with Craig Cunningham and later serving as Vineyard Manager at Willow for three years. Today, he’s back at Shady Lane full-time as our Cellar Master, bringing a deep understanding of both vineyard and cellar operations. Outside of work, Richard enjoys spending time in the garden with his wife and son. Together they tend to a large floral garden filled with dozens of varieties of dahlias and towering sunflowers. He’s also a proud dog dad to Johnny (Cash) and Loretta (Lynn), who are always happy to join him for a walk when he has a little time away from the winery.
Yoda
Tasting Room Manager
Manager of the tasting room, Yoda is. Small in size, mighty in palate. For over 900 years (give or take a few vintages), mastered the ways of hospitality he has. Guiding guests through flights with wisdom, patience, and the occasional cryptic note about “balance, you must seek.”
