Our Team

At Alexander Valley Cellars (AVC), a family-owned wine warehousing and logistics company in Sonoma County, our team is the heart of what we do. We pride ourselves on fostering a family-like atmosphere, where some employees have been with us for over two decades, bridging two generations of family ownership, and even bringing their own children to work with us.

Our team’s dedication to quality warehousing, fulfillment, and exceptional customer service is the driving force behind our growth. Learn more about the people behind AVC or explore our wine warehousing and fulfillment services.

David Ramirez, Warehouse Manager | An AVC Team member since 1995

David started at AVC when there were only three people in the warehouse and now supervises a team of 35. His leadership ensures wine warehouse operations and order fulfillment run efficiently, helping customers move case goods on time and with accuracy. Inspired by the positive work environment established by the founders, David continues to uphold those values. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking Italian cuisine, spending time with his mother, and painting abstract art.

Raul Chimelir, Operations Manager | An AVC team member since 2010

Raul is known as AVC’s technology solutions expert, applying his passion for systems to improve logistics and warehouse operations across all departments. With a background managing his family’s vineyard in Uruguay, Raul brings a unique perspective to the team. He is especially proud of developing and updating client and company portals for inventory tracking and wine logistics, enhancing efficiency for staff and customers. Raul balances technical projects with direct client interactions, ensuring winery needs are met quickly and effectively.

Lisa Costa, Senior Compliance/Billing Manager | An AVC Team member since 2013

Lisa plays a crucial role at AVC by managing compliance and regulatory requirements that affect bonded storage, DTC fulfillment, and winery logistics. Her expertise includes direct-to-consumer shipping regulations, export tax deferral (TTB) programs, tax and operations reporting, and managing unlabeled wine regulations. She also oversees billing, accounts receivable, and customer onboarding—ensuring procedures are transparent and understandable for both customers and coworkers. Lisa’s consistency and accuracy are invaluable in keeping AVC running smoothly and in full compliance, while enhancing the overall client experience.

Michael Mendoza, Customer Service Manager | An AVC Team member since 2018

Michael grew up in the wine industry and brought that knowledge to AVC. He quickly built a reputation for VIP-level customer service for winery clients, ensuring that logistics details, case pack specs, compliance documents, and carrier preferences are handled seamlessly. He’s known for clear communication, fast problem-solving, and closing the loop with no loose ends. Internally, he manages requests end-to-end, escalating early to prevent surprises. Off the clock, Michael applies his same attention to detail to sketching and painting. His standard is simple: make clients feel like the top priority and deliver results—consistently.