Mariah Deardorff - Tasting Room Manager

Mariah was born and grew up in Lubbock, Texas. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Texas Tech University and went on to complete her Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies combining Chemistry, Business and Viticulture. In her final semester at Texas Tech, she participated in an internship with Llano Estacado Winery. During this time, she discovered her true passion for wine. Next, she spent three years as the Manager for a wine lab in Brownfield, Texas, where she became very familiar with different grape varieties, winemaking styles/methods and storage techniques. She was also in charge of Quality Control for the bottled projects. At the end of 2019, Mariah joined the team at English Newsom Cellars as the Tasting Room Manager. She enjoys familiarizing others with English Newsom wines as well as continuing her own wine education.

Christie Hodge - Wine Steward / Training Coordinator

Christie has lived in Lubbock for most of her life. She graduated from Texas Tech University with degrees in Advertising and Food and Nutrition and worked as a registered dietitian. Christie is a homeschool mom and teaches in a homeschool co-op. She is active in her church and loves to exercise.  Christie also hosts AirBnB homes in Lubbock, which gives her an opportunity to connect with guests and create a space that makes them feel welcome and valued. Her mission in working at English-Newsom Cellars is the same - to serve guests superb wine and connect with them through warm, caring service.

Mackenzie Archer - Food & Wine Market  Coordinator / Shift Leader

Mackenzie  is a Lubbock native and is a Junior at Texas Tech University.  Her degree plan is a double major in Advertising and Creative Media Industries. She has the warmth, the passion and personality that makes every customer interaction a memorable experience. She loves serving customers from behind the bar and at corporate and private events.

Her outgoing personality and love for people, makes her one of the top wine stewards at English Newsom Cellars. Swing by for a tasting and she will teach you about her favorite varietals and her love for Texas wine.

Cameron - Wine Steward

Cameron was born and raised in Austin, Texas and made his way to Lubbock in 2014, where he attained his degree in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management from Texas Tech University. After graduation, Cameron moved to Horseshoe Bay where he was a Conference Service Manager at Horseshoe Bay Resort. He recently decided to move back to West Texas to learn more about the Texas wine industry!

Skye Knapen - Wine Steward

Skye is from Arlington, Texas and has been a student in Lubbock at Texas Tech since the fall of 2017. She recently graduated with her undergraduate degree in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management, and she will attend Graduate School in the coming fall to continue her education in Hospitality Management. Skye has worked in restaurants for several years, and became interested in wine after she obtained her WSET Level 1. She is eager to build her career at English Newsom Cellars and to learn more about the Texas wine industry.

Esiquiel Bilger - Wine Steward

Esiquiel was born in San Antonio, Texas and was raised in Wimberley. He transferred to Texas Tech University after receiving his associates from Tyler Junior College. He plans to major in Plant and Soil Science focusing on Viticulture and Enology with a Minor in Business. Esiquiel has had some previous experience working with wine. In 2016 his parents purchased a plot of land in Fredericksburg with the hopes of starting a winery of their own. All of Esiquiel’s summers were soon turned into free labor for this project. What began as an apathetic job, soon captivated him and then finally a grew into his passion. Having learned much about the vineyard aspect of winemaking he is ecstatic to learn more about sales and customer service while at English and Newsom Cellars.

Zach Bartlett - Assistant Winemaker

Zach is from Lubbock, Texas. He is currently studying at South Plains College with the intention of transferring to Texas Tech University to study Viticulture and Enology.

He loves to brew beer as a hobby at home when he is not working or going to school. Zach is looking forward to working his first harvest at English Newsom Cellars.  Fruit will be arriving soon, and its life cycle will begin:  Sort.  Cold soak.  Punch down.  Inoculate.  Punch down.  Measure Brix daily.  Punch down.  Press.  Barrel.  Rinse and repeat.

Zach knows there is a story behind every wine and can’t wait to be a part of this vintage.

Keegan Newsom - Vineyard Manager

Farming and developing world class vineyards is my passion. I manage 21 varietals on 100 acres in Hockley County, Texas. My dad and I have a reputation as a supplier of quality winegrapes.

I started working in the vineyards at age 14. In high school I realized I wanted to work with my Dad and follow in his footsteps.

My philosophy in growing grapes is to  treat each varietal and each site unique to the soil type, water availability and then adjust to what Mother Nature gives us each year with the weather.

Our Vineyards are at an elevation of 3,600 feet.  The landscape is flat, but its steady tilt to the North gives the Texas High Plains grapes opportunities to grow a broad array of varietals. This is why I love growing grapes in West Texas. As a child I always loved working in the cotton fields. It gave me the experience I needed to do what I love today. I farm and manage the vineyards in a healthy, sustainable manor, and always strive for quality first.

Angie Alspaugh - Compliance Manager - Angie received a Bachelor of Arts and  Master of Education from Texas Tech University. She worked for 25 years in the mental health field as a Licensed Professional Counselor, with the last 15 of those years in the role of Clinical Director at a residential treatment center for children and teens.

In 2009 Angie and her husband Terry founded a nonprofit horse rescue organization, Easy R Equine Rescue, of which she is the Executive Director.

She has been employed at Caprock Winery/EN Cellars for the past 4 years. She is also a registered yoga instructor and teaches classes at several area gyms.

Katie Berryhill - Brand Ambassador

Katie is an enthusiastic, outgoing individual with a passion for people, wine and events. Katie represents English Newsom Cellars in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and Austin.  She provides wine tastings and product knowledge to customers at events and in retail settings. Katie has a natural ability to draw others to her. She is passionate and exudes a positive energy. She helps foster a strong connection between our customers and our brand.

Lycretia Thompson  - Brand Ambassador

Lycretia Thompson is from Lubbock, Texas and attended Texas Tech University. She has over 30 years of experience in office management, sales and marketing. Lycretia represents English Newsom Cellars in a positive light, and by doing so, helps increase brand awareness and sales. She embodies our culture in appearance, demeanor, values and ethics.    To know her is to love her!

Caroline Fitzgerald  - Wine Steward

Caroline is from Boerne, Texas and is a sophomore at Texas Tech University. She is majoring in Speech Pathology with a minor in Special Education and plans to be a speech therapist for children with disabilities. Caroline has previously worked in the food and beverage industry but has become very intrigued with the wine industry and is excited to learn all she can!