Mary Simmons
Alison Green Doran, raised in Palos Verdes, discovered her passion for winemaking in 1973 while working as a harvest intern at Simi Winery alongside renowned consultant André Tchelistcheff. Following her internship, she gained valuable experience in Alsace and later as an enologist at Hoffman Mountain Ranch before completing her Fermentation Science degree at UC Davis. In 1976, she joined Firestone Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley, where she advanced from lab technician to winemaker by 1981, producing numerous award-winning wines with a focus on vineyard management and quality. After marrying Mark Doran in 1994 and returning to her family's ranch and vineyard in Alexander Valley in 2000, Alison now works with select clients in Napa and Sonoma, embodying the spirit of site-specific winemaking as a pioneer among women winemakers in California. She proudly serves as the winemaker for Romeo Vineyards & Cellars.