Adrienne Ferrara is a faculty member in the Wine and Viticulture Department at Cal Poly, where she teaches wine sales and hospitality. She approaches the wine industry and its complex sales channels like a puzzle, aiming to demystify the various areas of wine sales and supply chain challenges much like the way we analyze microclimates and terroir.

In 2004, Adrienne and her husband, Chris Ferrara, co-founded their family brand, Clesi, which remains dedicated to producing Italian varieties from their ranch in Templeton, California. She also leads the Cal Poly wine internship program and oversees Cal Poly’s commercial wine sales.

Adrienne earned an MBA from Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business, concentrating in International Business. Prior to her position in higher education, Adrienne worked in brand management including positions at Wild Horse Winery and Vineyards, Laetitia Vineyard and Winery, Southern Wines & Spirits (now Southern Glazers).

Adrienne, Chris, and their three children love food and road trips to explore snow covered mountains and rivers with white water. In addition to WiVi and CCI, Adrienne loves to help local schools and non-profit fundraisers work with the wineries to support local causes.