Four industry leaders join the Board, strengthening the connection between New York’s wine and grape industry and its next generation of consumers.
Shelby Hearn Ulrich is a third-generation wine professional carrying forward a family legacy on Long Island’s North Fork. River Allan brings a rare blend of scientific rigor and hospitality expertise to Hudson Valley winemaking. Sasha Pardy turned an idea into a festival that now draws 6,000 attendees a year. Clark Simmons is a third-generation grape grower committed to sustainable farming practices statewide.
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) Board of Directors is pleased to welcome these four new members whose paths into this industry are as distinct as the wines New York produces: Shelby Hearn Ulrich, General Manager and Partner at Suhru & Lieb Vineyards; River Allan, winemaker at Rosina’s Winery and enologist for Benmarl Winery; Sasha Pardy, Co-Owner and President of Adirondack Winery and Extreme Heights Cidery; and Clark Simmons, third-generation grape grower at Simmons Vineyards.
Shelby Hearn Ulrich is a third-generation wine professional and second-generation leader in the New York wine industry, carrying forward a family legacy on Long Island’s North Fork. As General Manager and Partner at Suhru & Lieb Vineyards, she leads business operations, strategic growth, marketing, and guest experience across two established wine brands, overseeing a 54-acre Certified Sustainable vineyard operation with extensive Northeast distribution and a robust direct-to-consumer business. Her well-rounded industry perspective spans production, hospitality, sales, and marketing, sharpened by an early career in New York City that included roles at Brooklyn Winery and Penguin Random House. Shelby previously served on the Board of Long Island Wine Country from 2019 to 2025, including as Secretary and Vice President, where she helped guide governance modernization, strategic planning, and regional collaboration, and she currently serves on the Board of Discover Long Island as the wine industry representative.
“As a longtime member, I’ve always admired the work the New York Wine & Grape Foundation does to champion our industry,” said Ulrich. “Having benefited from the Foundation’s work throughout my career, I’m excited to give back by playing a larger role in advancing its mission, strengthening connections between our regions, supporting our producers, and continuing to elevate the reputation and recognition of New York wine on both the national and international stage.”
River Allan brings a rare blend of scientific rigor and hospitality expertise to the Board. As winemaker at Rosina’s Winery and enologist for Benmarl Winery, one of America’s oldest winemaking regions, River is dedicated to advancing the quality and recognition of Hudson Valley wines. His path into the industry includes a Cornell master’s degree alongside years of hands-on restaurant and beverage experience in New York City, giving him a perspective that spans both the science of winemaking and the art of hospitality. River believes great wine should be both exceptional and accessible, and he’s become known for making complex winemaking science approachable to everyone from fellow professionals to first-time tasting room visitors.
“I’m proud to call the Hudson Valley communities, both in and outside of wine, home,” said Allan. “I feel it’s essential for the Hudson River Region to have representation within the Foundation, so when our seat was vacant, I was excited to step up. Our wines are nuanced and, similar to New York State itself, have a diversity of styles, regions, and grapes that are stories we all should be telling. Within this industry, I’ve found there’s often a disconnect between having access to information and having information that is accessible. I want my cellar to be a place where everyone feels welcome and no one is afraid to ask questions.”
Sasha Pardy co-founded Adirondack Winery, one of the first micro-wineries in the country to operate without an attached vineyard, in 2008, and has built it into one of New York State’s most recognized brands, expanding in 2022 with a new production facility, tasting room, Restobar, and event venue in Queensbury. In 2015, she founded the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, which now showcases more than 120 wineries, craft beverage producers, and artisan vendors, drawing over 6,000 attendees and generating more than $3.5 million in annual economic impact.
She also championed the founding of the Upper Hudson Valley Wine Region and the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail, and in 2026 was named a “Top Ten Woman in Hospitality” by the New York State Restaurant Association.
“I’m honored to join the Board of Directors of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation at such an important time for our industry,” said Pardy. “New York wineries produce incredible wines, but consumer habits are changing rapidly. People are looking for experiences, authenticity, and connections that fit their lifestyles, and we need to continue evolving how we tell our story and engage new audiences. I see tremendous opportunity to strengthen wine tourism, create memorable experiences that bring people to our wineries, and modernize how New York wine is marketed to the next generation of consumers.”
Clark Simmons is a third-generation commercial grape grower in New York with hands-on experience in vineyard management, crop production, and sustainable agricultural practices. Through his work at Simmons Vineyards, Clark has gained extensive experience working with a diverse range of grape varieties and understands the challenges facing modern grape growers, including crop protection, environmental stewardship, labor, and market demands.
He studied Agricultural Business at SUNY Cobleskill, earning an Associate Degree in Agricultural Business, and spent three years as an Ag Intelligence Technician with Helena Agri-Enterprises, gaining valuable experience in agricultural technology, crop management, and production practices.
“As a third-generation grower, I have seen firsthand the important role the New York Wine & Grape Foundation plays in supporting the families, businesses, and communities that drive our industry,” said Simmons. “I am honored to join the Board at a pivotal time for New York’s grape and wine sector, as growers continue to navigate evolving challenges in crop protection, labor, and market demand. I look forward to contributing a grower’s perspective while supporting practical and sustainable farming practices, advancing research and education, strengthening collaboration across the industry, and helping ensure that New York’s grape and wine community remains strong, competitive, and positioned to thrive for generations to come.”
“Shelby, River, Sasha, and Clark each bring something distinct to this Board, but they share the same commitment to moving New York’s wine and grape industry forward,” said Sam Filler, Executive Director of NYWGF. “Shelby’s depth of experience across production and regional collaboration, River’s dedication to accessibility and scientific rigor, Sasha’s leadership in hospitality and tourism, and Clark’s firsthand understanding of the challenges facing today’s growers will each strengthen our ability to serve this industry. We’re proud to welcome them to the Board.”
NYWGF also extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing Board members Kwaw Amos (Gotham Winery/Oson Wines), Ami Opisso (Rose Hill Vineyards), Max Rohn (Wölffer Estate Vineyard), Mike Nozzolio (Harris Beach LLC), and Mike Colizzi (Kashong Glen Vineyards and E&J Gallo), whose service and leadership helped shape the Foundation’s work.
About the New York Wine & Grape Foundation
The mission of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation is to promote the world-class image of New York grapes and wines from our diverse regions to responsibly benefit farmers, producers, and consumers through innovative marketing, research, communication, and advocacy. Learn more at newyorkwines.org.
