MEET OUR Team Members

The LaBelle team is comprised of ultra-talented go-getters whose goal is to make your LaBelle experience phenomenal each time you visit. Interested in joining us? Click here to submit your resumé.

John Edwards

Senior Director of Operations

John is a native of Lebanon, Connecticut with seventeen years experience in the restaurant industry. Having held every position in the industry, John truly enjoys the work because it has allowed him to meet so many different people who have taught him something new as he has progressed in his career.

Justin Bernatchez

Executive Chef

Justin is a New Hampshire native and studied at Le Cordon Blue Culinary Academy, graduating at the top of his class. A leader in his field, Justin has worked in multiple restaurants and resorts, honing his skills and culinary style in both a la carte and banquet service. Since joining LaBelle in 2015, Justin’s culinary skills and leadership capabilities have catapulted him to executive chef, where he is responsible for all of LaBelle’s culinary production for the restaurant, event center and The Winemaker’s Kitchen retail product line.

 

Joe Guarino

Chef de Cuisine, Americus Restaurant

Drawing on 20 years of cooking experience and his Italian family’s traditions, Chef Guarino enjoys making fresh pasta and cooking with the freshest vegetables and proteins. Having collaborated with multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs, he excels at bringing unique and unexpected flavor combinations to his dishes. Chef Guarino is a veteran of the US Navy and a graduate of Johnson & Wales with a degree in Culinary Arts. 

Steve Shoemaker

Chef de Cuisine, The Bistro at LaBelle Winery

Hailing from Baltimore, MD and growing up in Danbury, CT, Steve has been cooking professionally since the age of 16. A New England Culinary Institute graduate in culinary arts, and has worked among some of the best chefs and restaurants in Southern Florida. In 2011, Chef Shoemaker moved to New Hampshire to open the revered Mint Bistro in Manchester, NH, gaining many accolades along the way, to joining the LaBelle team in summer of 2022. Steve enjoys travel, exploring New England and is a multi instrumentalist.

Thomas Arnold, IV

Banquet Chef, Amherst

Tom is a New Hampshire native and studied Culinary Arts at Lakes Region Community College. From there, he spent nine seasons at the Spring House Hotel in Block Island, RI where he worked as the Executive Sous Chef, and Chef de Cuisine at their Barn Restaurant where he spent the off-season. After moving home in May of 2021, Tom joined LaBelle and is currently the Banquet Chef of our Amherst location.

Tucker Dumas

Banquet Chef, Derry

A Johnson & Wales culinary arts graduate, Tucker has worked professionally throughout Boston and the North Shore before coming on board as Americus Restaurant’s Sous Chef when our Derry property opened in Spring 2021. Since November 2022, Tucker has served as our Banquet Chef for social and corporate events. When not working, Tucker spends his free time playing golf or practicing jiujitsu.

Sara Mercier

Pastry Chef

An Auburn, NH native, Sara been baking professionally for 11 years. While cake design is her specialty, she loves all aspects of the pastry arts. Pastry has been her passion since childhood, and Sara is constantly experimenting and trying new techniques. She graduated from SNHU in 2013 with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and taught Culinary Arts for 2 years at Manchester School of Technology before joining the LaBelle Winery team in August 2022. She lives with her husband Anton and two cats.

Shane Peznola

Market Chef

NH born and raised, Shane studied at Southern New Hampshire University. He’s worked with many different cuisine styles, gaining knowledge from his culinary experience in Austin, Texas and Fairbanks, Alaska. Shane returned home in 2017 to teach at SNHU and started at LaBelle Winery in early 2018. After holding the position of Sous Chef at The Bistro and event center in Amherst, he now brings his unique experience and creativity to LaBelle Market. He recently married his wife, Danae Peznola, in February 2020.

Sheila Redmond

Assistant of Operations, Amherst

Sheila joined LaBelle in May of 2021 while relocating to New Hampshire from the Boston Area. After graduating from UNH with a BA in Communications, Sheila spent ten years in multiple concession roles at Logan Airport including Multi-Unit Restaurant Management. Most recently, she joined us after opening the Burlington location for a Darden Restaurant concept. With years of brand loyalty experience, Sheila brings a unique mix of relationship management, staff influencing and hospitality focus to the LaBelle team.

 

Tyler Provost

Assistant of Operations, Derry

Tyler joined the LaBelle team in June of 2022. With over 14 years of Hotel and Customer Service experience, he looks forward to creating memories that will last a lifetime for our guests. Tyler was born and raised in Vermont, recently engaged, and is passionate about wine, golf, and family!

 

Marie King

Tasting Room Manager and Wine Educator

Educated at Boston University’s Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center, Marie achieved level 2 Wine Specialist Certification and Introductory Level Sommelier through the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers. Marie enjoys educating guests about wine, LaBelle’s vineyards, and helping them feel comfortable about their wine selections.

 

Kimberly Cortino

Sales Director

Kim joined LaBelle Winery in 2015, shortly after getting married at the Amherst location. With her attention to detail and welcoming personality, Kim is a natural in her role. She guides couples in crafting their ultimate wedding day experience in a stress-free fashion, in addition to leading the sales team as a whole.

 

Caitlyn Laplante

Wedding Sales Manager, Amherst

Caitlyn comes with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality field. Having attended The Culinary Institute of America, she started her career in the kitchen before soon finding her passion for weddings and events. Each couple is unique and Caitlyn prides herself in ensuring their wedding day visions are brought to life. When she is not working, Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her fiancé Nicholas and daughter Emilie.

Ivana Londono

Wedding Sales Manager, Derry

Ivana is a graduate of Newbury College in Hospitality and Restaurant Management, and joined LaBelle in July 2022. With years of experience in special events and weddings, Ivana loves helping couples in the first steps of creating their vision. No wedding is the same – every experience is unique, from start to finish!

Lauren Paradis-St. Croix

Social Sales Manager

Lauren is a veteran in the hospitality industry and graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, having joined LaBelle in 2017. She enjoys every aspect of the winery, and her passion lies in providing top-notch LaBelle experiences and everlasting memories to every customer. Lauren currently resides in Auburn, NH with her husband Joshua, two kids, and dog Bauer.

Danielle Mojonnier

Public Events Manager

Danielle Mojonnier joined the LaBelle team in 2020 after providing marketing consulting to LaBelle Winery since its inception in 2005. She brings over 20 years of experience managing organizations in both the visual and performing arts. Danielle was previously the co-owner and executive director of graphic design company Grinning Moon Creative as well as general manager at The Highlander Inn & Conference Center. Danielle holds a Masters of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

Melaney Shepard

Senior Assistant Winemaker

The 2022 harvest marked Melaney’s 20th harvest in the wine industry. She started making wine at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC in her early 20s and never looked back. Having completed her Winemaking Certificate from UC Davis, she has experience with all aspects of wine making, from harvest to bottle, including the production of grape and fruit wine as well as ciders and meads. Melaney first joined LaBelle in May 2021 and has recently returned as the Senior Assistant Winemaker in February 2022. Melaney is excited to be a part of the LaBelle winemaking leadership team.

Richard Jacobs

Assistant Winemaker

Richard’s calling to the world of winemaking was made in 2017 when he decided to spend a year in Burgundy, France. There he worked for the Domaine Roulot in Meursault and Maison Champy in Beaune. While in Europe, Richard also completed WSET Levels 1 & 2 in London. At the end of 2017, Richard began working at City Winery Boston as their production Winemaker, where he had the privilege to work with over a dozen varietals from all over the United States as well as Argentina, proudly creating award winning wines that achieved gold medal status at the Eastern States Exposition. Now at LaBelle Winery, he could not be more excited to be making wine in his favorite state.

Michelle Thornton

Director of Marketing & Business Development

Michelle, a New Hampshire native, has enjoyed a diverse career in various industries, from banking and finance to hospitality and marketing and a stint in the museum world. She has over 25 years of experience assisting companies of all sizes to thrive and grow. Michelle joined LaBelle in 2012, making her one of the very first team members.

Layna Holk

Social Media Manager

A graduate of Bryant University, Layna brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to event planning, communication, marketing and media. With years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Layna has already dove in headfirst and put her expertise to work at LaBelle Winery since joining in November 2022.

Morganne Blanchard

Events Operations Administrator

Morganne joined the LaBelle team in 2015 after graduating from Southern New Hampshire University.

Danielle Sullivan

Projects & Administration Manager

Danielle, a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, has been with LaBelle since 2015. She’s brought a wealth of expertise from her prior careers with Marriott and Sheraton hotels and catering companies throughout the northeast. When she’s not at LaBelle, she’s enjoying time with her husband and son Finnegan.

Shelley Saunders

Wholesale Account Manager

Shelley joined LaBelle in 2018 and has been in the wine industry for over 20 years. A University of New Hampshire graduate, she worked as a regional sales manager on the supplier side. She has represented small and large brands worldwide, including Barefoot Wines and Fosters Wine Estates.

Dylan McDonough

Golf Course Superintendent

Dylan originally arrived at LaBelle Winery as The Links at LaBelle’s Golf Course Assistant Superintendent in December 2021. An ambitious, young professional who strives to give all golfers the best experience, Dylan is a New England native that is settling local roots in New Hampshire. As an avid golfer, he puts himself in the shoes of the player to create an exciting and challenging landscape for all levels. Prior to joining LaBelle, he began his career in the golf industry at Manchester Country Club.

Courtney Cameron

Manager, LaBelle Market

Courtney started with LaBelle in May 2021, and is excited to continue her career in hospitality and provide the LaBelle experience to all visitors of the Market. After graduating from Stonehill College with a degree in Communication, Courtney spent the past decade working in the customer relations field for various industries.

Sarah Ela

Human Resources

Sarah, LaBelle Winery’s Human Resource Professional, is dedicated to continuously providing a culture of unwavering ethics and integrity within her position and her expectations of the colleagues and staff whom she works with daily. With a genuine passion for the recruiting and retention of new hires, she is devoted to building and nurturing a successful team. Sarah’s ongoing mission is to build a strong, trusted team with LaBelle’s vision and core values.