Founders
These three founders are inseparable. Not only do they work together, they live on the south-facing hillside of Rivaura vineyards. Ron Sr. and his sons, Ron, Jr., and Reece, grew up here at Arrow near Juliaetta with a set of values that made them trusted neighbors, excellent employers and hard-working, regular guys. Their grit and foresight helped them continue to evolve and diversify their business ventures in a manner that created pathways for each to pursue goals independently while collaborating as one family enterprise. Rivaura is the latest manifestation of the Hewett's determination to do everything to a high standard in a humble, fiercely devoted way.
Billo Naravane, MW
Consulting Winemaker
Yashodhan 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.
Background
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
and Vineyard Operations
Vince earned 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.
Lane Hewett
Assistant Winemaker and
Sales and Events Coordinator
Lane's involvement in Rivaura began years before he graduated from Walla Walla Community College with an Associate in Applied Sciences degree in Viticulture and Enology. He worked alongside his parents and extended family from groundbreaking and planting to harvest and crushing. His work experience includes three 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. Lane's experience spans marketing, accounting, winemaking, and vineyard practices.
Shannon Hewett
Bookkeeping and
Tasting Room Manager
Shannon's role is at the heart of the business. Her work as the Director of Vineyard Operations means she's on the front lines supervising farming practices at every stage of growth and harvest. She also serves as Sales Manager, which puts her in direct contact with customers, peers within the AVA, and partners across the region.
Background
In 2015, she earned her Viticulture Certificate from Washington State University. She also holds a Business Administration degree from Walla Walla Community College.
Shannon is the wife of Founder, Reece Hewett, and the proud Mom of four boys, including Assistant Winemaker, Lane, along with Mason, Cooper, and Sawyer. She enjoys attending her boys' football and hockey games, and track meets. In the time she claims for herself, she is an avid runner, reader, and lover of a good glass of wine with friends and family.