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Meet the Longboardians
The Longboard Team
Oded Shakked

A walking melting pot, Oded was born in Israel and raised on 3 continents.  He grew up a hundred yards from the beach just north of Tel-Aviv, splashing in the warm waters of the Mediterranean for the first time at age two (months, that is), and later became one of the first surfers in the area. 

Building surfboards for a living in his early twenties led to countless surfing trips along Europe’s Atlantic coast. In Portugal Oded discovered (much to his delight) that it was easier, cheaper and safer to drink good red wine than bottled water. Life was never the same after that.

Oded’s twin loves of surfing and wine brought him to sunny California, where he studied winemaking at UC Davis (can’t beat the homework!). While in school, he worked harvests in Napa and in Bordeaux, but his heart was captured by the diversity of Sonoma County––the soils, the climate and the people.

Feeling roots growing “from the bottom of my feet,” Sonoma County is his second native home––half a world away, yet a spiritual neighbor, of his birthplace.

Passionate about his craft, Oded is also is a great believer in perspective, saying, "Relax, it’s only frickin' wine... enjoy it with food you like and trust nothing but your own palate"

Raymond Willmers
Consumer Direct National Sales Manager.   After years of helping develop and sell some of the best wine barrels in the US, Raymond saw the light and moved to the wine side...  an open water swimmer (He's scheduled to do the Alcatraz swim in August) and just one of the most fun persons to be around.  Raymond is taking charge of the wine club, tasting room and direct sales - talk to him about any of your needs!
raymond@longboardvineyards.com

Tom Clare - Eastern Regional Sales Manager

Eastern States Sales; Lives in north Jersey (not Joy-zee), not a surfer but loves the kai. Paddled into our line up in April 2009. Out there about wine, family, friends, livin large. 30+ years in the biz and lovin this session.
tclare@longboardvineyards.com


Michael Melgoza - California sales Manager

Michael came to Longboard with experience in both the Hotel and Wine industries.  We are not sure if Michael surfs... we suspect he is a closet boogie-boarder.  However, his passion and knowledge about all things Jazz and Blues and his wealth of wine, food and fun savyy make him a great ambassador for what we are all about.  Michael spends his time educating folk about our wines and spreading the Longboard spirit all over the western US.
 
mmelgoza@longboardvineyards.com


Steve Chernoff - Florida Sales
Steve and his family moved to Florida in 2008 to escape the midwest winters.  Steve owns 360° Brokers and manages our Florida distributor relations and sales.  He brings over 25 years of fine wines and spirits experience and takes pride in the personal relationships he builds and maintains.  A great swimmer and runner, we have yet to put him on a surfboard.