The Alloro Vineyard Team

David Nemarnik 

Vineyard Manager & Proprietor

David’s lifetime of experience around beautiful food—ranging from early family trips to Italy and Croatia, to his present tenure as CEO of the family produce company—anchors Alloro in a tradition of mindful dining. Committed to creating quality through hard work, he manages our vineyard with painstaking attention to detail in the hope of producing wines that amplify the vitality of the table.

See David interviewed here.

David Lopez

Vineyard Foreman

David is a broadly skilled agriculturalist with a hand in all aspects of Alloro farming. A former racehorse stable manager who knows the significance of details, he helps realize our vision for responsible, top-quality farming with his hard-won talents—from performing all tractor work in the vineyard, to directing crews at the most demanding times of year, to shepherding the resident flock of heritage sheep and registered Hereford cattle.

 

Tom Fitzpatrick 

Head Winemaker

Meticulous and inquisitive by nature—and equipped with a master’s degree in viticulture and enology from U.C. Davis—Tom has pursued the winegrowing craft all over the world, from California and New Zealand, to Burgundy and Oregon. He spares no detail in the quest to produce wines that reveal the true personality of a site and an expression of each vintage. Classically oriented, his wines are all about finesse, delivering expressive aromatics, textural focus, and a vibrant palate. 

Eric Ploof

General Manager

Eric is an east coast transplant and brings with him a diverse hospitality background in winery operations, hotels, and restaurants.  With a passion for thoughtful hospitality, his vision is to position Alloro as the premier wine and food experience for members and guests.

Denali Whaley

Executive Chef

Denali moved to Oregon in the early 2000's in search of seasonal farm to table cooking. Emphasizing sustainability and flavor in each meal, she sources ingredients from the Alloro farm and local community of growers. Denali is dedicated to creating dishes that pair in harmony with Alloro Vineyard wines with a focus on regionally inspired cuisine rooted in Italian tradition.

Maureen Ott

Wine and Hospitality Director

Maureen joined Alloro in 2024, bringing with her a strong background in fine dining and winery hospitality from across the Willamette Valley. After relocating from Florida to Oregon in 2016, she quickly fell in love with the region's vibrant food and wine community. At Alloro, Maureen is focused on creating exceptional guest experiences and fostering a warm, welcoming environment in the tasting house. 

Ryan Clifford

Assistant Winemaker &
Distribution Coordinator

Ryan Clifford fell in love with the elegant wines of Oregon when he relocated to the Pacific Northwest from the Midwest in 2009. By the time Ryan joined Alloro Vineyard as Assistant Winemaker in 2024, he brought nearly a decade of winemaking experience in the Willamette Valley, an enology and viticulture degree from Oregon State University, and a Level 3 Certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) to the winery.

 

Daniel Lethin

Assistant Vineyard Foreman

Daniel, an Oregon native, earned a degree in Forestry from Oregon State University and is currently pursuing a Viticulture degree through OSU. A member of the Nemarnik family by marriage, he supports David Lopez with vineyard operations and has developed a passion for the family’s hazelnut orchards. Daniel began at Alloro Vineyard in 2022, creating the now-famous focaccia recipe, a favorite among visitors. In 2023, he transitioned to the winery team as a harvest intern before becoming Assistant Vineyard Foreman. In this role, he continues to work closely with the team to support the vineyard’s growth and success.

Jamie Lyon

Wine Specialist &
Marketing Coordinator

Jamie, born and raised in Oregon, brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to Alloro Vineyard. With a certificate in Wine Business Management from Washington State University and seven years of experience in nonprofit work for Washington County, she transitioned into the wine industry in the summer of 2023. In addition to Wine Specialist, Jamie is the face behind Alloro Vineyard's marketing, Cellar Club communication, and social media.