Our Team
Winemaker
Sarah Vandendriessche
With a deep passion for viticulture and over a decade of experience at Elizabeth Spencer, Winemaker Sarah Vandendriessche blends expertise with artistry. Since 2010, she has meticulously overseen every step of the winemaking process, ensuring each bottle embodies both the land and the winery’s signature restrained elegance.
Her hands-on approach starts in the vineyard, walking the rows with growers, assessing vine health, and making crucial harvest decisions. “Winemaking is built on relationships,” she explains. “Trusting the farmers growing the grapes is everything.” In the cellar, she leads with precision and intuition, crafting wines that reflect balance and purity.
A New Orleans native, Sarah’s love for food shapes her winemaking philosophy. “Wine, like food, is meant to be shared and savored,” she says. With a background in macrobiology, she views winemaking as a living expression of its environment, embracing the natural interplay of grapes, yeast, and soil. Through her thoughtful craftsmanship, she continues to shape Elizabeth Spencer’s wines with integrity, nuance, and a deep respect for the land.
Proprietor
Jean-Charles Boisset
A visionary in the world of wine, Jean-Charles Boisset brings passion, innovation, and a deep reverence for history to Elizabeth Spencer. Raised among the vineyards of Burgundy, he was immersed in the world of winemaking from an early age, instilling in him a lifelong dedication to craftsmanship and terroir.
Since acquiring Elizabeth Spencer in 2021, Jean-Charles has honored its legacy while elevating its wines and experiences to new heights. His commitment to sustainable farming, organic and biodynamic practices, and the art of fine wine has shaped the winery’s continued evolution. Under his leadership, Elizabeth Spencer remains a destination for those seeking exceptional wines and hospitality in the heart of Napa Valley.
Jean-Charles’ influence extends far beyond Elizabeth Spencer. As the proprietor of Boisset Collection, he has redefined modern luxury in wine, revitalizing historic wineries such as Raymond Vineyards and Buena Vista Winery while expanding into spirits, design, and hospitality. Recognized globally for his leadership, he has received numerous accolades, including Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Award and Decanter’s “Power List” of the most influential figures in wine.
At Elizabeth Spencer, Jean-Charles has fostered an environment where heritage meets innovation, crafting wines that reflect a sense of place and the spirit of discovery. The lush gardens and historic tasting room provide an intimate retreat—an invitation to experience Napa Valley through the lens of elegance, authenticity, and artistry.
Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Heisinger
Lisa Heisinger rooted her professional path from college graduate to CEO at Boisset Collection over the course of 25 years. A year in France gave her ample opportunity to visit Burgundy and explore French wine culture while studying and working at the American Embassy before joining Boisset. A dynamic and multi-faceted talent, Lisa has worked in both domestic and international sales; in marketing as a Brand Manager and Marketing Director; in direct-to-consumer sales in both the tasting room and wine club; and in production and operations management as Vice President of Operations. Her hard work, dedication and achievements have earned her the role CEO at Boisset Collection.
Success has come in part from Lisa’s management style. “I try to be a ground-up enabler rather than a top-down boss,” she says. “We are fortunate to have a very talented, committed team of people. It’s my job to make sure they have the support and the tools they need to perform at their best.” With her broad background in everything from administration to hospitality — plus a strong relationship with the Boisset family and a love of fine wine — Heisinger’s goal is to encourage a collaborative environment where people are not afraid to ask questions, think creatively and take risks.
Under her leadership, Boisset Collection has made bold moves with winegrowing, production, packaging and marketing. “I try to follow Jean-Charles’ example of being unafraid of failure,” she says. “He’s taught me that real progress often means taking a few risks.” She applies the same philosophy to her personal life, driving herself to compete as a triathlete. “Every race puts me out of my comfort zone, but that’s kind of the point,” she says with a smile. “Whether you’re making wine or riding bikes, it’s easy to coast along. Life is much richer when you challenge yourself to constantly adapt… and that’s precisely what I love about my job at Boisset.”
Senior Vice President of Guest Experience
Clare Tooley, Master of Wine
Clare began her wine life in London with John Armit Wines in 1995 after a degree in French and Spanish at Cambridge University. She joined Direct Wines Ltd in 2000, as a buyer responsible for Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, and South African portfolios. She moved to Bordeaux in 2006 to direct the group’s winemaking facility and establish an international wholesale division which took her all over the world in a sales capacity. She moved to California in 2014 to work as the Director of Wine Development for Lionstone International, sourcing the US wine range for multiple national wine clubs including the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Turner Classic Movies, and NPR.
Since becoming a Master of Wine in 2021, Clare has been the California correspondent for Decanter Magazine, contributed two chapters to the Academie du Vin’s 2021 book ‘On California’ and continues to write for Tim Atkin MW’s website. She has given seminars at the World of Pinot Noir, Texsom, the Napa Valley Wine Academy, and UC Davis. She is a Chevalier of the Commanderie du Bontemps in Bordeaux and the l’Ordre des Coteaux in Champagne. Clare was inducted by Jean-Charles Boisset as a Chevalier du Tastevin at the Chateau de Clos de Vougeot in 2001. Twenty-one years later, she joined him and his extraordinary team, to lead all elements of the Boisset Family’s US based DTC businesses.
A Vision of Exceptional Wines & a Timeless Destination
