Carrie Sullivan, Owner & Winemaker, Telaya

Carrie leads Telaya along with her husband, Earl. Nearing Carrie’s 40th birthday, they worked through ways to prioritize family while still allowing Carrie to pursue her passion of science. Winemaking was that answer, and she’s never looked back!

After completing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University in 2000, Carrie practiced in Columbus, Ohio and Boise, Idaho. Her two sons arrived in 2004 and 2007, and she found that striking that work-life balance was becoming more difficult--now, as a business owner and winemaker, Carrie has the flexibility to be present for her boys while fostering her natural ambition and drive.

Carrie credits her time with winemakers in Washington and Idaho for the foundation of her winemaking education, but as her boys become more independent, she’s been able to spend even more time in the cellar, continuously researching to hone her skills and craft. Her journey to becoming a winemaker has culminated in that balance she was always searching for--working with her husband, spending time with her sons, and pursuing her passions.