Our Staff
Michael Heny
Winemaker
Michael Heny studied Mechanical Engineering and Comparative Literature at the University of Virginia. After graduating in 1990, he worked his first harvest at Montdomaine, now the site of Michael Shaps Wineworks. In 1997, Michael joined the winemaking team at Horton Vineyards where he spent many years dedicated to showcasing Virginia wines, and in the spring of 2019 he joined the team at Michael Shaps Wineworks.
When not crafting wine, he enjoys exploring the mountains, woods and streams of Central Virginia and beyond with his wife and two children.
Jessica Trapeni
Production Manager
Jess graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 2011. After working in Process Development at a DNA company, she joined Wineworks in 2015 to run the wine lab. In addition to expertise in the laboratory, Jess has refined and created many of our complex spreadsheets and systems that enable us to organize and manage the myriad of details and intricacies involved in our high-level production process, from harvest through bottling. She is a wiz at Excel and all things detail-oriented.
When she's not in the lab, Jess is kept busy at home as the proud mother of twins, 2 dogs, and a cat.
Cellar Crew
Steve Equi
Bottling Facility Manager and Associate Winemaker
Jason Greer
Cellar Master/Assistant Winemaker
Robin Hurst
Assistant Winemaker
Audrey Skinner
Lab Manager
Terra Gardner
Assistant Winemaker/Cellar Assistant
Management
Christie Shaps
Human Resources, Retail, and Wine Club
Christie began her career in the wine industry in 1995 working at Jefferson Vineyards as the Tasting Room, Events & Office manager. Over the years she has worked at several wineries, consulted throughout Virginia for start-up wineries and now oversees both Tasting Rooms, Wine Club and human resources for Wineworks.
Elizabeth Erickson
Chef de Bureau
After graduating with a B.A. in Communications & Rhetoric from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997, Elizabeth spent nearly two years in Nice, France, where she absorbed the culture and language. There she developed a deep affection for wine and its meaningful place at the table.
Immediately upon her return to the States she began a career in wine wholesale and importation with The Country Vintner. She has been in the wine business, in multiple capacities, ever since. She currently manages the logistics, administration and compliance for Michael Shaps Wineworks, Maison Shaps, and Kenahora Wine Company (Michael's small importation company focused on wine from France).
Ivy Haines
Marketing and Brand Management
After graduating from James Madison University with a B.S. in Dietetics in 2015, Ivy found herself working in the local food and wine scene in Charlottesville, VA. After working in the tasting room at Wineworks for nearly 2 years, Ivy moved to Germany to pursue a language course. While she was there she studied and passed the Introductory Sommelier Course with the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe in Poland, as well as the B2 German Exam. In 2020, Ivy rejoined the team at Wineworks to continue to promote and educate others on the Michael Shaps brand.