Montoya Fund Winners
The Montoya Opportunity Fund, led by winemaker Macario Montoya and supported by Naked Wines, has helped Latino winemakers succeed.
2025 winners
$20,000 - David Salazar - Reclamación Wines
David Salazar, owner and winemaker of Reclamation Wines, and one of Wine Enthusiast's 8 Latinx Experts Changing the Face of Wine for 2025, is the recipient of $20,000 Montoya Fund grant. His mission is to make the world of wine more accessible to the Hispanic community focusing on creating wines that emphasize his heritage. This crucial "lifeline" will relieve financial stress, allowing his self-funded business to expand production and pursue new ventures that were previously out of reach.
Salazar's unique approach to winemaking includes creating a distinct, artistic label for nearly every bottle, reflecting his passion and the wine's unique character.
$15,000 - Karina Gallegos - Sidedoor Cellars
A 15-year career in hospitality and a passion for wine, turned Karina Gallegos into becoming the Winemaker of Sidedoor Cellars. Moving to Napa in 2016, she quickly fell in love with the craft of winemaking.
Eventually, moving from sales into the cellar and learning the trade hands-on. Her dream is now a reality and with support from the Montoya Fund - helping to secure her crush facility, where she will craft her wine. Karina loves Blanc de Blanc and she suggests a fun pairing of popcorn and Champagne or Sparkling wine.
Karina wrote us the most amazing email when she received the news of her grant:
"I am also writing to thank you so so so much again for your generosity, your belief in my potential, and the positive impact you continue to make in our community. I am truly honored and deeply grateful for your support, not only for the financial assistance but also for the meaningful encouragement your organization provides to members of the Hispanic community.
This grant represents more than just financial aid; it is a powerful affirmation of the dreams and hard work of individuals like myself who are striving to make a mark in the wine industry. Your support makes it possible for me to pursue my passion and continue growing both personally and professionally in a field that has traditionally lacked Latino representation.
It is incredibly inspiring to see a committee actively investing in the future of our community. By opening doors for aspiring winemakers and entrepreneurs, you are not only helping individuals like me, but you are also contributing to a more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant industry. THANK YOU! Your commitment uplifts our culture and provides a platform for our stories and contributions to be recognized and celebrated.
I look forward to honoring this opportunity through hard work, dedication, and most importantly, giving back in the same spirit that you have shown me.
Con profunda gratitud"
$15,000 - Alex Castillo Llamas - Fallen Mountain Wines
Fascinated by the gastronomical and oenological world that elevates the human experience, Alex worked for the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group. He fell head over heels with the world of fine-dining that indulged their guests with a superlative culinary journey: An experience that showcased the mastery of what happens when fine food and wine are served at your table for a special meal.
Alex’s journey into the realm of wine-making had some roots-form at a young age, traveling from Jalisco, Mexico all the way North to Portland, Oregon and on to Napa and then Colorado. His family traveled from Mexico, with a group of hard working colleagues, which worked tirelessly together at harvesting the fruit-growing fields and grape harvests up and down the Pacific of the USA. Now, producing unique varietals, Alex is looking to promote and showcase Colorado wine under ‘The Fallen Mountain Wines’ label and with help from The Montoya grant, he can’t wait to connect the world to these extraordinary wines.
$5,000 - Gerardo Espinosa - Anaya Vineyards
Gerardo Espinosa may be the founder of Anaya Vineyards, but his family’s rich history with prestigious vineyards in the Clement Hills AVA dates back to 1944. For decades the Anaya family sold the grapes from this vineyard to premium wineries in Lodi, but Gerardo saw the opportunity in these grapes for much more. In 2002, he applied his winemaking experience gained from the summers of his youth to produce small batches of Petite Sirah, the first estate grown wine from Anaya Vineyards.
Espinosa has dedicated his life to growing Anaya Vineyards to showcase his heritage and encourage others, particularly people of color, to pursue their own brands in the wine industry. Also named one of Wine Enthusiast's 8 Latinx Experts Changing the Face of Wine for 2025, Gerardo learned about the Montoya Opportunity Fund through friends and plans to use the funds to expand his brand by increasing production and developing marketing materials to attract distributors, with a goal of growing beyond their current 1,200 to 1,400 cases per year across six different wines.
$5,000 - Salvador De La Cruz - Ludor Wines
Salvador joins the Naked community, bringing a wine-making story deeply rooted in the sun-soaked vineyards of Sonoma. Launching Ludor Wines in 2019, he ran into the immediate challenge of the COVID-19 onset. Ludor Wines produces four wines sourced from Sonoma and he focuses on educating consumers, especially people of color, about wine.
Salvador plans to use the Montoya Fund to apply for an O2 wine grower permit, a vital step towards establishing a tasting room and sharing his family’s wines directly with the wider world.
$5,000 - José Antonio Calderón - Calderon Wines
For a new winemaker, turning a vision into reality comes with significant hurdles. For José, the Montoya fund grant is a critical boost, providing the necessary funding for "dry goods" like bottles and labels. This support is instrumental in helping him prepare his 2023 vintage for its market debut, allowing him to navigate industry challenges and bring his exceptional wines to your table.
José has a deep appreciation for the classics, citing Cabernet Franc as his absolute favorite wine to make, but he also enjoys exploring Spanish varietals like Albarinho and Godello. His passion shines when talking about pairing wines with food, especially the vibrant flavors of his Mexican heritage. One of his favorite pairings is showcasing how the bright, acidic white wine, Xarello, would be the perfect match for his mother's unique pancake-style enchiladas. It’s this connection to family, food, and culture that makes his work so special.
$2,500 - Anna Lancucki - Final Girl Wines
Looking to grow her business and to reach her target audience, Anna wants to introduce her fellow wine and horror-film enthusiasts to her exceptional wines, Anna applied for The Montoya grant and is excited with the opportunity to further her impact on the community to help support Latinos in the wine industry - looking to pay it forward.
With 20 years dedicated to making wine and being educated at UC Davis, the top Enology & Viticulture School in the USA, Anna went on to work in Napa, Sonoma and a number of harvests in New Zealand, in some of the most renowned wineries in the world. Working hard at crafting their deliciously dark wines at Final Girl Wines, Anna is passionate about Latino culture, horror films and of course - wine and what that means to culture and future generations to come.
$2,500 - Benito Saldivar
Young Napa native Benito's appreciation for wine was first sparked by his family’s love for the food-and-wine experience. He will use his Montoya Fund grant to purchase a temperature-controlled tank, allowing him to pursue his scientific interest in oenology and work toward the goal of making his own label with guidance from his professors and experience gained working at Pride Mountain Vineyards under the supervision of winemaker Matt Ward.
2023 winners
$20,000 - Nancy Gonzalez Ulloa - Ulloa Cellars
Nancy Gonzalez Ulloa is the deserving recipient of the first-ever Montoya Opportunity Fund top grant. Nancy was determined to make her mark as a self-taught force in the wine industry when she purchased her first ton of Grüner 2019. At that point, she'd already spent a few years in a pivotal role as the winemaker's “right hand woman” at Seven Oxen, a winery focused on crafting premium estate wines in the Templeton Gap region.
Her first wine — 50 cases of amphora fermented Grüner Veltliner released under the brand Ulloa Cellars — sold out in eight days. Since then she's remained focused on obscure whites and has doubled her production every year. Ulloa Cellars now produces 700 cases a year and has expanded the range to include two different Grüners, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Sémillon, Verdejo and Rosé — and has its very own tasting room in Paso Robles.
Nancy's entrepreneurial success is further elevated by her dedication to inclusivity. She offers herself as a resource to aspiring industry entrants, strives to create a welcoming environment where anyone can learn about wine and takes every opportunity to speak with Latino communities and women about entrepreneurship.
Her commitment to accessible wine education and inspirational public speaking sets her apart, making the $20,000 grant a catalyst for her impactful journey in the wine world.
$10,000 - Brittany Banda - Xochitl Wines
Brittany took the risk of starting her own brand, Xochitl Wines, in 2020 as a single, new mom. “It was a huge financial and life risk to change my career, but I thought about the advice I would give my new daughter if she was in my position. I would tell her to follow her intuition and remind her that listening to my heart had led me to not only her but every other wonderful curveball that my life had to offer.”
Her brand is focused on Rhônes and Zinfandel, and is inspired by brands like Saxum. Her goal is to be the first 100-point Latino winemaker. She wants to use this grant to further legitimize herself as the self-proclaimed second Latina winemaker in Paso (Nancy being first).
The grant will reimburse a portion of her 2023 production costs.
$10,000 - Sam Parra - Parra Wine Co.
Sam was born in Napa Valley and he always made home wine at some scale with friends and family. After moving to Oregon, a more affordable place to live and make wine, Sam was able to realize his dream of having his own wine brand. He started Parra Wine Co. in 2018 and his production is now up to 800 cases, plus cans!
“Money goes a little farther in Oregon wine country. This $10,000 award would cover grapes and production for an entire 750mL SKU and one canned SKU!”
Same hasn't had the money to scale his business to the point that he can take his wines out of state. This grant means being able to work with a distributor and see his wines outside of Oregon.
$10,000 - Daniel Martinez - Casa Martinez Wines
Before coming to California to work in the Mondavi vineyards, Daniel studied industrial engineering in Mexico. He started making his own wine to celebrate the birth of his daughter. A few months after her birth, she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. What was supposed to be a one-off project eventually became his own wine brand, Casa Martinez Wines, which still helps to raise money for his daughter's needs.
Daniel says he wants to work on his own brand full-time, but his real goal is to, “create great wines, raise awareness for special needs and pave the path for more people to feel represented in our community. Our goal is to create a world with opportunities and representation.”
The grant will reimburse a portion of Casa Martinez's 2023 production costs.
$5,000 - Luies Gallegos - Surcos Wines
Luies launched Surcos Wines in 2019 and has since increased production to 500 cases — all while being a production winemaker at Gundlach Bundschu during the day. He dreams of working for himself full-time, and eventually opening a collective tasting space in downtown Napa with a focus on small Latino-owned brands.
The grant will reimburse a portion of his 2023 production costs.
$5,000 - Christopher Rivera - Seis Soles Wine Co.
Christopher started Seis Soles Wine Co. in 2020 while working full-time as Associate Winemaker for Klinker Brick Winery, and his dedication quickly became evident. He rapidly increased production to 1,500 cases and has poured his wines all over California — focusing specifically on “Latino enclaves” in San Diego, East LA and the Central Valley. “My goal is to create a national wine brand that resonates with Latinos.”
He will use the grant for marketing and advertising costs.
$5,000 - Lilia Melisa Pérez Jiménez
Lilia is currently working (alongside her two female business partners) on starting a wine brand which will be made in Sonoma Valley and sold in Mexico. She has valuable winemaking experience in Mexico, California, New York and Bordeaux that will help her craft serious wines with minimal intervention, which showcase the terroir. So far the biggest challenge of her career has been, “gaining respect and credibility as a Latino woman working abroad.” '
The grant will help her with brand start-up costs.
$5,000 - Anibal Santana & Ulisses Santana
These brothers finally pulled the trigger this year, and purchased a half-ton of Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak to start their premium brand. They are currently working on licensing for the Vino Santana brand and are planning their first release for 2026 with a few different wines in the works. Growing up their parents worked in vineyards and Ulisses distinctly remembers his father telling him to pursue enology because the winemaker has the best job.
“As a Latino, I want to set an example to other Latino's that nothing is impossible when you put in the work.”
The grant will reimburse their start-up costs.
$5,000 - Victor Mendoza
Victor is in the beginning phase of starting his own wine brand, Suspiro. His new brand will focus on lighter reds and rosés, specifically those that pair well with spicy dishes. He's extremely excited to create wines that work well with Latin cuisine and eventually wants to work for himself full-time. He gained much of his viticulture knowledge from his father, and his winemaking and chemistry skills from the 150+ winemakers that he interfaces with yearly through his VA filtration job.
He will use the grant to pay off licensing costs.
$2,500 - Chris Herrera
Chris lost his sight when he was 21 and that resulted in a career path change. When he started as a part-time tasting room host at Lost Draw Cellars in 2016, he had no idea that he would be GM of the parent company's tasting room ten years later. Chris is very dedicated to sharing his wine knowledge and inspiring other Latinos to pursue careers in the front-end of the wine industry, where he says their presence is unfortunately lacking.
The grant will help Chris buy a vision aid so he's able to continue his growth into upper management.
$2,500 - Alberto Ramirez
Alberto is currently completing his 4 + 1 master's degree in viticulture with a great GPA, and he already has an impressive amount of industry experience under his belt. 2023 was his tenth harvest, and looking back he says that his favorite parts have been seeing the progression of the equipment and hearing the stories that have been shared throughout the workdays. Eventually his goal is to start a vineyard management company of his own.
The grant will reimburse him for tuition costs.
