Kait Libbey, President
I’m a second-year PhD student in the Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group at UC Davis, focusing on how climate impacts quality traits in Chardonnay grapes in the Forrestel Lab. Prior to coming to Davis I worked in soil science/agro-ecology research and then in viticulture/vineyard management in Sonoma County.
Rachel Smith, Vice President
I'm a master's student in Viticulture and Enology, with a background in microbiology research and a range of experience in the wine industry, including 4 harvests, 1 pruning season, and plenty of time behind the bar. I'm from the Bay Area, but I've worked in Sonoma, the Adelaide Hills, the Loire Valley, and Burgundy and cultivated a diverse set of inputs that have shaped my path. As I finish up my degree I'm focusing on learning about soil science, water management, and advances in viticulture that I can apply in my career.
Mirjam Fischer, Treasurer
I’m Mirjam, a second-year graduate student researching bioacidification in white wine. I was born and raised in a beautiful wine region in Germany, where I was constantly surrounded by wine. After working for two years in a winery, I completed my undergraduate studies in Viticulture and Enology at Geisenheim University. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue my master’s degree here in Davis, and I’m absolutely loving the experience. Being part of a community that supports women in wine and connecting with so many incredible people here have created memories that will last a lifetime.
Sydney Goodman, Secretary
I’m Sydney and I’m a 3rd year undergraduate in the viticulture&enology department! I transferred here in Fall of 2023 after deciding Neuroscience at CU Boulder didn’t sound quite as fun as V&E at Davis. Since getting to Davis and switching majors, I’ve studied winemaking abroad in Dijon, worked at the UC Davis Olive Center, became a DEVO home winemaking team lead, and obviously became the Women in Wine secretary! I love the tight knit community here and feel so lucky to be a part of such an amazing program!
Gianna Smoot, Public Relations
Hi! I’m a third year Viticulture and Enology student here at UC Davis. I’m so excited to be apart of Women In Wine because of its wonderful community of driven, passionate women in the wine industry. Outside of V&E I love spending time in the outdoors, baking, and I’m always down for something spontaneous with friends!!
Lexy Basquettte, Historian
Lexy grew up in Austin, Texas before moving to New England for college. She studied Zoology and Food Science at the University of Vermont and lived in Boston for six years working in science education, renewable energy, and controlled environment agriculture.
Lexy decided to pursue higher education in agriculture after managing hydroponic farms and witnessing the difference in water footprint between hydroponic and conventional farming. She joined the Horticulture and Agronomy program and Beth Forrestel’s lab in 2023 to research the application of proximal sensing techniques on grape harvest prediction by modeling light reflectance at the berry and canopy level against berry chemistry metrics.
Excited to explore a new coast and a new industry, Lexy has enjoyed being involved with DEVO and Women+ in Wine before becoming a board member! After graduating she hopes to work in vineyard compliance or in the public sector.