President | Owner

After spending over 30 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech world, our new owner has traded lab coats for vineyard boots—but her passion for science, innovation, and improving lives is still very much at the heart of everything she does. A proud Rhode Island native (go Ocean State!), she brings both heart and curiosity to this new chapter at Stonington Vineyards.

Though her love for wine came a bit later in life, she’s made up for lost time—learning all she can, visiting local wineries whenever she travels, and now, pouring that passion into every bottle at Stonington Vineyards. A theater and concert enthusiast, she’s also a proud member of the Goodspeed Board of Trustees and will travel far and wide to catch her favorite shows and artists live.

Ann is the proud mom to three amazing grown children, wife to an endlessly supportive husband who’s always up for the next big adventure (like buy a winery!), and dog-mom to two delightfully wild bulldogs. When she’s not in the vineyard, you’ll likely find her elbow-deep in soil, tending to her vegetable garden or doting on her beloved dahlias.

Ann is thrilled to be guiding Stonington Vineyards into its next exciting era and to become the head of our Stonington Vineyards Family. She can’t wait to welcome both longtime customers and new friends to experience the magic that makes this place feel like home.

Esteemed Winemaker | General Manager

Mike McAndrew began his journey in the wine industry in the late 1970s, selling wine in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Drawn to the growing winemaking scene in Connecticut, he soon apprenticed at a local vineyard before joining Stonington Vineyards as head winemaker in 1987. It was the unique combination of coastal climate, elevation, and mineral-rich soils that drew Mike to Stonington—and lucky for us, he’s been crafting our wines ever since.

A minimalist at heart, Mike’s winemaking philosophy is grounded in simplicity and respect for the land: “Grow sound fruit, pick when ripe, and make great wine.” His approach results in elegant, expressive wines that reflect the character of the vineyard itself.

When he’s not in the cellar, you’ll find Mike practicing yoga, skiing the slopes while the vines rest for winter, or enjoying time with his beloved family.

Vineyard Manager

With a deep-rooted love for plants and gardening, Linda Mason found her calling in viticulture—and for the past 20 years, she’s been the heart of our vineyard. As Vineyard Manager at Stonington Vineyards, Linda oversees every aspect of our estate fruit with care, precision, and passion.

Her commitment to quality is reflected in our hands-on approach: each vine is hand-pruned, hedged, and harvested to ensure the highest standards for our wines. Linda is also a strong advocate for natural practices and thoughtful farming, always working in harmony with the unique micro-climate that makes our corner of Connecticut so special.

Her dedication shines through in every step of the agricultural process—and is reflected in every bottle of estate wine we produce.

Tasting Room Manager

Susan joined Stonington Vineyards in 2013 as part of our seasonal tasting room crew, but it didn’t take long for her to become a staple at the vineyard. With her dedication to customers, willingness to jump in wherever needed, and effortless ability to keep things running smoothly, stepping into the role of Tasting Room Manager in 2020 was a no-brainer.

If you’ve visited SV, you’ve likely seen Susan in action—zipping around the property, wearing about ten different hats at once, all while keeping her cool. She’s a familiar face to all our regulars and, a familiar face on our social media!

When she’s not at the vineyard, she’s either lost in a good book, soaking up the sun at the beach, or spending time with her favorite people—especially her niece, nephews, and godson. And let’s not forget Tanner, her beloved pup, who she proudly (and maybe obsessively) dotes on. Be sure to say hi to Susan next time you visit…. if you can catch her!

Assistant Winemaker

Jim has been with Stonington Vineyards for the past 12 years. Working under the leadership of Mike McAndrew, Jim has helped create the quality wines Stonington Vineyards is known for. Jim and Mike make an excellent team, and Jim’s organization and experience are paramount during harvest season. Jim resides locally with his wife Nicole, and their 3 beautiful children who are often found helping Dad during harvest season!

Tasting Room

Mikel-Ann has been part of the SV family since 2009, starting on the festival team before becoming a weekend tasting room staple. After spending her weekdays wrangling kindergarteners and teaching at a local university, she somehow still has the energy to pour wine and connect with customers—many of whom know her by name.

A true hopeless romantic, Mikel-Ann’s love story is straight out of a fairytale—she got engaged and married right here at the vineyard! And if that wasn’t enough, she’s also our resident matchmaker, always ready to spark a little love wherever she can. Mikel is also the proud mom to her son, Jonathan. If you hang around long enough you will definitely hear a story or two! She has a sixth sense when it comes to people—she’ll have your whole life story (and probably your favorite wine) figured out!

So whether she’s teaching, matchmaking, or pouring your next glass, one thing’s for sure—Mikel-Ann brings heart, warmth, and a touch of magic to everything she does!

Tasting Room

Mathew didn’t just stumble into our team—he practically sipped his way here! After years of being a dedicated wine club member, he made it official and joined our vineyard family 5 years ago. With a deep love for wine (and a few impressive courses under his belt), plus a background in restaurant management, he brings a fresh perspective to our tastings. His pairing suggestions are spot-on, thanks to his passion for cooking—and let’s be honest, his enthusiasm for great food knows no bounds.

How deep does his foodie love go? Well, he named his cat Taco Toby, and as fate would have it, Toby’s birthday falls on Cinco de Mayo—clearly, they were meant to be. When he’s not talking tannins and tasting notes, Mathew is serving up sharp wit and impeccable style. His fashion sense is as bold as his personality, and his humor could brighten even the dimmest wine cellar. Come for the wine, stay for Mathew’s charm—you won’t regret it!

Tasting Room

Richie first joined our crew back in 2011, working festivals and spreading the wine love. Fast forward to 2021, and he became a regular fixture in our tasting room. His passion for wine isn’t just about sipping; he loves educating our customers on all things vino.

Beyond our walls, Richie curates wine lists for local hotels and restaurants, always ready to chat about the perfect food pairings. And speaking of food—when Richie cooks, we all win. His homemade lumpia is legendary, and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t look forward to every bite. But if there’s one thing that rivals his love for wine and food, it’s his sweet tooth! More often than not, you’ll catch him with candy or some kind of treat in hand. So whether he’s pouring, pairing, or passing out sweets, Richie brings a little extra flavor to everything he does!

Tasting Room

Emily’s journey to Stonington Vineyards started as a joke—literally. Back in 2017, she casually mentioned to a co-worker, “Someday I want to work at a vineyard,” and as luck would have it, that co-worker had just the right connection! One witty remark later, and she was part of the SV family.

With 23+ years in child welfare, Emily knows a thing or two about adaptability, compassion, and keeping things running smoothly—all with a side of sass. While she calls this her “fun job,” she pours her whole heart into it… as well as the wine! Emily is the queen of team morale, always the first to suggest an outing or a reason to celebrate. But her true claim to fame? She’s the mastermind behind our legendary wine jello shots at the annual festivals. #IYKYK

Tasting Room

A Southern Belle with a New England edge, Britney is the perfect blend of charm and grit. As a proud mom of three (plus a flock of beloved chickens), she adores all her little ones—feathered and human alike.

When her husband is off serving our country, Britney seasonally holds down the fort like a true powerhouse, keeping her lively zoo in check with a mix of love, laughter, and a little chaos. In her spare time she even makes her own wine—because, let’s be honest, every great story starts with a good pour.

If you’re not laughing with her, you’re definitely laughing at her latest antics—she’s got a way of keeping things interesting. Open book? Absolutely. Predictable? Not a chance!