Billo Naravane, MW, Consulting Winemaker
Naravane ('Billo') provides consulting winemaking and viticulture services to Rivaura. He is a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW), which is a professional organization of unsurpassed international reputation. He was selected in 2017 for this prestigious honor bestowed on only 382 individuals working in 30 countries worldwide.
Billo is also the owner and winemaker of Rasa Vineyards, an artisanal, world-class winery that he founded with his brother in Walla Walla, WA. He attended UC Davis and earned an MS in Viticulture and Enology in 2008. In addition to his duties at Rasa Vineyards, he loves to help other serious wine aficionados realise their artistic visions for their wines and grapes.
Prior to making the transition to the wine industry, Billo studied Mathematics and Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. He also worked as a consultant and manager at several technology companies including Oracle, Netscape, and Hewlett Packard.
Vince Hewett, Assistant Winemaker
Vince earns his B.S. in Integrated Plant Science (Viticulture and Enology) with a minor in Horticulture from Washington State University in the Spring of 2019. He is passionate about plant and soil sciences especially, biochemistry related issues. Vince’s inspiration to fuse science and functionality through research and experimentation is a perfect fit for winegrowing and winemaking. As he turns his attention from academics to its practical application, he already has quite a bit of work experience under his belt. His wine industry experience includes several years of work at Rivaura, his family’s estate vineyard and winery in Juliaetta, Idaho, as well as hands-on experience during his college studies at Muret-Gaston Winery, Sagemoor Vineyards and Artifex, all in Eastern Washington. Vince is the son of Founders, Ron, Jr., and Jane Hewett.
Lane Hewett, Assistant Winemaker
Lane's involvement in Rivaura began years before he graduated from Walla Walla Community College with an Associates in Applied Sciences degree in Viticulture and Enology. He worked alongside his parents and extended family from groundbreaking and planting to harvest and crush. His work experience includes two years as Cellar Master at Vale Wine Company and Hat Ranch Winery in Caldwell, ID, which was voted 2019 Idaho Winery of the Year; an internship during harvest in 2016 for Saviah Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. His experience spans marketing, accounting, winemaking and vineyard practices. Lane is the son of Founders, Reece and Shannon Hewett.