Maggie Huffman has worked in all facets of the wine industry, but as a born and raised Sonoma local, it wasn’t actually her first inclination.
She left home after high school, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific, and then a master of arts in Berkeley. But Sonoma beckoned her back, as it will, and she jumped right into the wine business, first at Robert Mondavi Winery, working her way up through a variety of roles before eventually landing in the corporate wine world as a global vice president of information technology, and later interim chief information officer.
In 2025, Huffman realized there was a big gap in the market for higher-end, quality non-alcoholic wine. She partnered with Rita Valois to co-found Mavrique Wines utilizing revolutionary dealcoholizing technology. Inspired to create a female-founded brand, these two women leaders in male-dominated industries also brought in female winemaker Nova Cadamatre as a collaborator on the Mavrique team.
Huffman says of her latest role, “I wear a few hats, but the newest and sparkliest is cofounder and chief operating officer at Mavrique Wines. Since we’re a start-up alcohol removed wine company, that means I do anything and everything, especially related to getting the wines in the bottle and out the door.”
Amber Turpin: How did you get into this work?
Maggie Huffman: I was raised in Sonoma Valley. After high school, and like most kids who grew up here, I couldn’t wait to leave ‘Slow-noma.’ After grad school, I wanted to come home. I looked around, saw all the vineyards and realized that I should probably go into wine if I wanted to stay. I took a job as a harvest temp at Robert Mondavi Winery and never left the industry. I’ve worked in most facets of the business for several companies but have always felt most at home in ‘winegrowing’—viticulture, winemaking and operations.
Did you ever have an ‘aha’ moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
A recent ‘aha’ was when I realized that making fine alcohol removed wine—when done well—is actually a continuation of the winemaking process, not instead of nor a shortcut.
What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
Mavrique Pinot Noir, of course, and coconut water—but not together.
Where do you like to go out for a drink?
Layla at MacArthur Place.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking (besides fresh water)?
Well, since I assume that the island would already have coconuts, I’d have to say Mavrique’s 2025 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
Mavrique Wines, mavriquewines.com.
