Get to know the Del Rio Team, Part 1
Meet six members of the Del Rio team as they share a bit about themselves—what drives them, what they love, and a few unexpected fun facts along the way. From the vineyard to the tasting room, these are the passionate individuals who help bring the Del Rio experience to life.
Darelle Ploof - Director of National Sales

Cats or Dogs | Dogs |
Savory or Sweet | Sweet |
Buck list trip? | French Polynesia |
Last act of kindness? |
Purchased lunch, water, dog food, and a dog toy for an elderly homeless man and his dog. |
Early bird, night owl, or permanently exhausted pigeon? |
Permanently exhausted pigeon |
Do you believe in ghosts? |
I didn’t until I saw Michael Alberty’s video about Hattie. Now you won’t find me in the TR alone! |
How many browsers do you have open? |
41 |
Favorite wine? |
Whatever is in my glass. Depends on what I’m eating and the company I’m keeping. |
Have you ever been on a helicopter? |
Yes, on a tour of the Willamette Valley |
Why the wine industry? |
After spending many years in hospitality, transitioning to the wine industry felt like a natural evolution. Wine has always played a central role in hospitality – it brings people together, tells a story & enhances connection. I was drawn to the idea of working more closely with the product itself, learning about the winemaking process, & the opportunity to represent wines that reflect a sense of place & community. |
Lena Freeman - Marketing Assistant & Design Guru

Cats or Dogs | Dogs |
Savory or Sweet | Savory |
Buck list trip? | Night swimming in bioluminescent plankton in the Maldives, or the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival in Thailand |
Last act of kindness? |
My elderly neighbor has been sick with the flu, so I took her dog on walks so she could recover. |
Early bird, night owl, or permanently exhausted pigeon? |
Permanently exhausted pigeon |
Do you believe in ghosts? |
Yes!! I’ve even had a few encounters with Hattie. |
How many browsers do you have open? |
Including this one – 25 |
Favorite wine? |
I’m a big fan of wine that’s wet! |
Have you ever been on a helicopter? |
Nope! Not yet! |
Clayton Wallace - Vineyard Team & Teddy's Personal Assistant


Cats or Dogs | Dogs |
Savory or Sweet | Savory |
Buck list trip? | Snowboarding in Japan |
Last act of kindness? |
Fixed a broken grave marker |
Early bird, night owl, or permanently exhausted pigeon? |
Early Bird |
Do you believe in ghosts? |
I don’t believe in no ghosts! |
How many browsers do you have open? |
3 (light day) |
Favorite wine? |
Cab Sauv |
Have you ever been on a helicopter? |
Yes, it was awesome! |
Why the wine industry? |
I grew up in the industry & love the whole process. I love the craziness of harvest, the romance of winemaking, & above all I love that time spent sitting around a table sharing a bottle with friends & family. Knowing that I’m even a small part of other people having that feeling in their own lives really is what makes this industry as great as it is to me. |
Elias Bushen- Assistant Winemaker

Cats or Dogs | Dogs |
Savory or Sweet | Sweet |
Buck list trip? | Exploring Hawaii, tasting wine & food from different regions, then flying to Europe for a live soccer match |
Last act of kindness? |
Reconnected with an old friend & saw my younger brother after 10 years. |
Early bird, night owl, or permanently exhausted pigeon? |
Early Bird |
Do you believe in ghosts? |
No |
How many browsers do you have open? |
26 |
Favorite wine? |
I don’t have just one favorite – it really depends on the moment! |
Have you ever been on a helicopter? |
No |
Why the wine industry? |
My passion for wine drives everything – I breathe, smell, taste, & sense wine in every way. I love meeting new people, & I’m drawn to how winemaking blends dynamic chemistry, art & science into one incredible craft. Plus, it’s physically active & hands-on – it’s hard work that uses every part of your body & I truly love it. |
Mikayla Pope - Western Sales Manager

Cats or Dogs | Dogs |
Savory or Sweet | Both |
Buck list trip? | Tierra del Fuego in Argentina is somewhere that looks as mystical as the name “land of fire.” Giant mountains seem to pop out of the sea shrouded in mist. |
Last act of kindness? |
Overheard a woman who was sad that people missed her birthday, so I gave her a bottle of wine to brighten her day. |
Early bird, night owl, or permanently exhausted pigeon? |
Permanently exhausted pigeon |
Do you believe in ghosts? |
I may not believe in ghosts, but I believe in ghost stories – who doesn’t love a good one? |
How many browsers do you have open? |
10-oops I mean 11 |
Favorite wine? |
How can I choose? I love all that were make thoughtfully & with passion. |
Have you ever been on a helicopter? |
Yes, thanks to Del Rio |
Why the wine industry? |
I love to learn, and an industry with so much history, science & whimsy was irresistible. |
Alan Southwick - Key Account Manager

Cats or Dogs | Dogs |
Savory or Sweet | Savory |
Buck list trip? | Italy |
Last act of kindness? |
Purchased groceries for a stranger that was short on cash. |
Early bird, night owl, or permanently exhausted pigeon? |
Night Owl |
Do you believe in ghosts? |
I’m not a huge believer, but some of the things that have happened at Del Rio has me questioning my beliefs. |
How many browsers do you have open? |
8 |
Favorite wine? |
Currently I’m loving the 2022 Del Rio Pinot Noir |
Have you ever been on a helicopter? |
Yes – volcano tour in Hawaii |
Why the wine industry? |
Just luck, but I am very blessed with my fortune. |