Our Team
Small Family
Rick Small, Founding Winemaker / Co-Owner:
Agricultural interests come naturally to Rick Small, raised as a part of an Eastern Washington wheat farming family. He attended Washington State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from that institution as well as studying in the School of Architecture, before returning to Walla Walla and the family business. Beginning in the mid-70s he developed a personal interest in winemaking. In 1977, Rick began planting vines on the former wheat ground on the family farm in Woodward Canyon. He and his wife Darcey Fugman-Small founded Woodward Canyon Winery in 1981. Rick is essentially a self-taught winemaker, reading numerous texts and learning by doing. His approach to winemaking is that of an artisan, and he believes that the key to even higher quality lies in the vineyard. With Kevin Mott’s employment as winemaker in 2003, Rick has turned his primary attention to hands-on oversight of viticulture techniques at the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard, as well as in contracted vineyards. Rick was President of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Growers Association, the precursor to the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, when the growers petitioned and received approval from the federal government for the Walla Walla Valley Appellation in 1984. Rick was a member of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation and served on its Board of Directors as well as the Washington Wine Institute. He is a former Chair member of the Washington Wine Commission and has served on the Washington State University and University of Idaho’s Food Science External Advisory Board. Rick currently serves on the Walla Walla Community College Viticulture and Enology Advisory Committee. Anyone who has attended Holiday Barrel Tasting knows that Rick is an avid baker.
Darcey Fugman-Small, Founder / Co-Owner:
In 2000, after twenty-two years working for Walla Walla County as a planner and Planning Director, Darcey took the position of General Manager at Woodward Canyon. Over the years she has been very involved in the community serving on a number of boards and advisory committees, including the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Walla Walla, the American Association of University Women, United Way of Walla Walla, the Walla Walla Public School District’s Facilities and Math Curriculum committees, on the founding Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance Board and was former Chair of the Carnegie Art Center Trustees. She is currently serving on the Walla Walla Community College Foundation Board of Governors.
Sager Small, director of education / Co-Owner:
After attending culinary school in Seattle at the Art Institute, Sager spent a decade as a line cook in top French restaurants like Rovers, Luc and Cafe Presse, developing a deep appreciation for the synergy between food and wine. Upon returning to Walla Walla, he served as resident chef, completed the local Enology and Viticulture program and managed vineyard operations alongside his father, Rick. Today, as co-owner and Director of Education, Sager leverages his extensive background in food, wine and the arts in a public-facing role for the winery. Outside of work, he can be found fly fishing, playing guitar, gardening or enjoying Brasserie Four with his partner Selena and daughter Filomena.
Jordan Small, Co-Owner:
Born and raised in Walla Walla, Jordan grew up in the wine industry running around the dusty hills of the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard with her brother Sager, washing glasses during event weekends and spending summer vacations bottling at the winery. After graduating from Lewis & Clark College in 2006, Jordan returned to Walla Walla to start a career in the wine industry, working in many different capacities from managing sales at Tertulia Cellars to running the lab at Long Shadows Vintners. She officially joined the Woodward Canyon team in 2013, serving as Director of Direct to Consumer Sales before leading as General Manager from 2021 to 2026. Today, Jordan continues to support the winery’s legacy alongside her family as a co-owner and member of the board of directors.
Marcus Rafanelli, Winemaker:
Marcus Rafanelli is an accomplished winemaker with over 20 years of domestic and international experience, combining rigorous scientific training with hands-on production leadership. A Seattle native, he holds a BS in Biology from Boise State University and is a graduate of the Walla Walla Community College Institute for Enology & Viticulture. His career spans small-lot, quality-driven production and senior winemaking roles, including six years at William Church Winery and six years leading the winemaking team at L’Ecole No 41. Marcus also brings a global perspective from international internships in Australia and Germany. In addition to his production work, Marcus has served as Instructional Technician for the WWCC Enology & Viticulture program and Cellarmaster for College Cellars, contributing to education and mentorship. He is an active member of the Washington Wine Technical Group and currently serves on the WWCC EV Program Advisory Board. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys exploring wine regions around the world, cooking at home, and spending time outdoors.
Rafa Sifuentes, Assistant Winemaker:
Kathy byrd, general manager & vice president:
Kathy began her wine career in Chicago in 1996 in distribution before spending 15 years managing regional and national sales networks for leading wineries. She later moved into executive distribution leadership, serving as Vice President of Sales for the Estates Group and Vice President/General Manager for Noble Wines (Winebow). In 2018, she launched the Real Wine Alliance, a consultancy guiding dozens of wineries in holistic sales strategies. Today, as Vice President and General Manager, Kathy focuses on driving sales, team leadership and guiding Woodward Canyon into its next exciting chapter.
Michelle Aichele, Director of Operations:
With deep roots in the Walla Walla Valley, Michelle brings two decades of wine industry experience to her role as Director of Operations. Growing up immersed in local vineyards and wineries, her early passion for the region led to a dedicated career in wine management. With an education degree from Washington State University providing a strong foundation in communication, Michelle previously led DTC and wine club sales at Woodward Canyon before expanding her scope to oversee broader winery operations. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and son, exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
