Christopher Strieter

Founder

Christopher focuses on strategic planning and business development for Senses Wines. He oversees day-to-day operations, including global distribution, wholesale and direct sales, while also leading and managing the team. As a founder of Senses, Christopher has fulfilled his dream of launching a business paired with his love for science, art, and people.

Prior to forming a partnership with childhood friends Max and Myles in 2011, Christopher served as business manager for the noteworthy Russian River Pinot Noir producer Williams-Selyem. Earlier in his career, Christopher worked closely with Jess Jackson at Jackson Family Wines in business-planning and corporate strategy followed by a harvest at Red Car Winery. He later joined VinFillment as operations manager overseeing product launches, a vast warehouse and fulfillment, and most recently managed sales for Uproot Wines. He also founded an award winning restaurant in the Bay Area and briefly worked on self-driving car at Cruise Automation (GM).

In addition to Senses, Christopher has served on the boards of the California Wine Institute, West Sonoma Coast Vintners, Russian River Valley Winegrowers, and directed non-profit work at Rebuild Wine Country after the devastating 2017 wildfires. He also served as chair for the Harvey Mudd Alumni Association, a member of Claremont Mckenna’s Alumni Association, and mentors participants in the Harvey Mudd Incubator, HMC INQ. His interests in space exploration, renewable energies and artificial intelligence keep him busy when he’s not thinking about wine.

Christopher has been recognized as one of Wine Enthusiast’s “40 under 40,” at just 30 years old in the class of 2018, Diablo Magazine’s “40 Under 40,” class of 2017, as well as one of Wine Folly’s “Coolest Wine People to Follow.”

He graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a Master of Arts in Finance and received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics and Physics from Harvey Mudd College.

Max Thieriot

Founder

Max is primarily responsible for the branding, marketing and communications for Senses Wines. Together with his partners, Christopher and Myles, he is seeking new vineyards to acquire, managing operations and various aspects of business development, including growing their wholesale market in southern California. Max also works on the brand’s strategy for participation in select trade and consumer wine events nationwide.

Before partnering with his childhood friends on Senses, Max grew up on his family’s B.A. Thieriot Estate, which is renowned for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Beginning at a young age, the wine business was a way of life for Max. With several generations of farmers on his mother’s side, it’s no surprise he was most intrigued by the vineyard practices–like suckering and shoot thinning–and looked forward to every opportunity he could be outdoors with his father riding in between the vine rows on their tractor.

In addition to his role with Senses, Max is an accomplished actor currently on-set filming Fire Country, which airs on CBS. His acting career began in high school and includes six seasons of CBS’ SEAL Team, five seasons of A&E’s Bates Motel, as well as lead roles on the big screen in Wes Craven’s My Soul to Take and House at the End of the Street, in which he co-starred with Jennifer Lawrence.

• IMDB

Myles Lawrence-Briggs

Founder

Myles manages production and all the grape things for Senses Wines from the vineyards to the bottle. He regularly walks the various vineyard sites with the farmers, taking sugar readings, coordinating harvest operations and working hand-in-hand in the cellar with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. As a founder of Senses, Myles takes responsibility for ensuring that the growers they work with share Senses’ desire to be good stewards of the land.

Having grown up on a vineyard in Occidental, California, Myles’ career in wine began at an early age as he helped his family with harvest each year. It was a natural progression for him to partner with his best friends, Max and Christopher, on a wine project of their own. He went on to further his knowledge and intern for both Red Car Winery and Tamber Bey Vineyards, where he had the opportunity to work closely with Andy Jones, assistant winemaker to Thomas Rivers Brown.

In addition to his leadership role with Senses, Myles has written articles on books and literature for Vhcle Magazine, including reviews, essays and literary criticism.

Myles attended Santa Rosa Junior College before heading to the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. He also studied English abroad for a couple semesters in Australia at the University of Sydney.

Thomas Rivers Brown

Winemaker

Thomas was born in Sumter, South Carolina. He attended the University of Virginia, where he majored in English and economics. It was then he found his love for wine. In 1996, Brown moved to Napa to pursue his passion. He was shortly thereafter hired to help in the cellar at Turley Wine Cellars. After three years, Thomas ventured out on his own. He has since made history on several occasions and has become one of the most sought after winemakers in the Napa Valley.

In October 2008, Thomas made history as the youngest winemaker to score not only one, but two perfect “100 point” ratings from Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate. Then in October 2010, Thomas was again awarded two top “100 point” ratings from Wine Spectator’s James Laube. This made Thomas the first American winemaker to ever receive 100 points from Wine Spectator. This same year Thomas was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food & Wine. Since then, Thomas has gone on to receive at least six additional 100 point ratings from The Wine Advocate. His portfolio of wines is now decorated with over 25 100-point wines.

Thomas’ expertise with Burgundian varietals, combined with his love for Occidental’s Sonoma Coast growing region make him a natural fit for us at Senses Wines. We consider ourselves very privileged to be led by Thomas, a man of many accomplishments.

Derek Flegal

Assistant Winemaker

Calistoga native Derek Flegal has been part of the team since 2018. He began down his path toward a career in winemaking after working back-to-back harvests in St. Helena and Mendoza, Argentina in 2011 and 2012, respectively. With two harvests under his belt, he decided to further his education by studying Enology at Fresno State University. Upon completion in 2014, he took a cellar worker position at Outpost Wines, where he began his working relationship with our winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. From there, he spent three years at Jericho Canyon Vineyard, where he honed his cellar and laboratory skills and worked his way up to Assistant Winemaker.  While there, he gained valuable experience by working alongside such renowned winemakers as Michel Rolland, Aaron Pott and Heidi Barrett. Flegal lived in Spain for 4 years and Argentina for a year, where he developed a love for travel, culture, and the great wines of the world.

Kelsey Perucchi

Business Manager

Kelsey grew up in Occidental not knowing she was destined for wine. She studied Business Marketing at Sonoma State University and joined Jackson Family Wines directly out of college. She worked in various roles including trade marketing and learned how larger companies are run. At Senses Wines, she is involved in marketing and general business operations. Kelsey’s background and curiosity makes her a perfect fit for Senses.

Lexi Thieriot

Customer Relations

Lexi grew up in Sonoma County and has always had an interest in the wine industry but it wasn’t until an internship at Caymus Vineyards in Napa that she fell in love. She quickly realized that a career in wine was her goal after graduating from Loyola Marymount University. Lexi was fortunate to work at Landmark Vineyards shortly after graduation. During her nearly three years at Landmark, she worked in various customer relation positions. She then jumped in with Senses Wines!

Beaux Thieriot

CCO (Chief Child Officer)

Beaux Thieriot quickly outgrew his previous role. When not running through the vineyard, he keeps a close eye on his brother Maximus Thieriot while respecting his role as Senses Wines’ newly promoted Chief Child Officer.

Maximus Thieriot

SVP

Don’t let his cuteness fool you: Maximus Thieriot is the real man in charge. Captivating those in his presence with each playful grin, Maximus reminds us to follow our passion and never stop short of happiness. He’s even the first to taste Senses Wines grape juice straight from press, and provides feedback through his unreserved facial expressions. His day job, though, remains grounded in keeping the Thieriot household in line, or out of line, depending on how you look at it!

William Strieter

VP Baby

As our newest team member, William takes his role as VP Baby very seriously. Born August 25th, literal days before harvest, he’s already mastered the art of bringing joy and laughter to the winery. His key responsibilities include perfecting nap times, delighting visitors with his smile, and ensuring there’s always a cheerful atmosphere. Though his palate is still in development, William promises to be an expert wine taster in due time. For now, he’s all about soaking up love, cuddles, and vineyard strolls with the family and team.