Meet the people behind the winery.
We're a small operation with a friendly and devoted team behind everything that we do.
Kyle Loudon
Owner, Winemaker
Kyle is responsible for the winemaking and overall operation of Coterie. This includes a focus on non-interventional practices at the winery and a dedication to vineyards under exceptional care. Kyle's interest in food and wine took root early in life while foraging for crawfish, thistles, and other tasty morsels with his grandparents. "It's likely one of the reasons that I'm still fascinated by whatever is growing around me." His love of wine also comes from its community. "Wine lovers don't drink wine by themselves; they love to share it. I like to think about the life of a wine like that — the special place where each bottle may end up." Kyle is a science graduate from Purdue University. He also has some formal education in viticulture and enology from UC Davis; however, his approach to winemaking is more natural than technical.
Shala Loudon
Owner, Events Manager
If you see a detail that you like in our tasting room or at one of our events, chances are that Shala had something to do with it. Shala loves design and the beauty of art, food, and wine. Born and raised in California for most of her life, she is especially drawn to the diverse people, cultures, landscape, and microclimates that Californians enjoy. Shala has also lived with her family in Italy. Her grandfather was a cooper (barrel maker), and her family in the north still has vineyards in Piemonte, where Shala and Kyle have enjoyed regular visits and the rural beauty of hunting truffles. Shala and Kyle have a son, Julian, who loves the grapes at harvest.
Eli Hruska
Winemaking Team, Tasting Room Team
Eli has been with us from the beginning. During that time he has done many, many things, but his main role always has been assisting in the winemaking activities, especially at harvest. (Have we mentioned that winemaking is 80% cleaning?) This can mean some very early mornings and very late nights — not to mention some late nights that turn into very early mornings. Eli is Shala's father, so he truly injects even more "family" into our family operation. Eli has seen firsthand the pains and triumphs of building a successful small winery from the ground up. But no matter what the issue or time of night, he's always ready with a smile and positive outlook.
Priyanca "Piya" Sarkar
Winemaking Team, Tasting Room Team
Piya brings a range of talents to our winemaking team stemming from a deeply rooted excitement around wine, a keenly focused palate, an attention to detail with winery operations, and multiple degrees in the biological sciences. Previously Piya worked for City Winery and has also spent time in the vineyard. So she knows her way around both wines and vines, whether in the city or countryside. Having lived in numerous parts of the world and having traveled to many others, we love her tastes and experiences across many cultures. In addition to her time assisting with winemaking, you'll often see Piya at events and sharing our wines in the tasting room.
Veronica Sanchez
Tasting Room Team
Veronica first got to know us at Coterie as a winery member, but our relationship has grown only closer. Veronica joined our team after her husband David, our longtime friend and advocate who sadly passed away suddenly in 2020, had worked with us for years. They were an especially convivial pair behind the counter. While David captivated you with the wines, Veronica was, and continues to be, the picture of perfection at handling your orders with gracious efficiency and taking care of you as a winery member.
About the Winery
coterie — noun.
A small group with shared interests or tastes.
Since 2007, Coterie has produced wines from tiny parcels within acclaimed vineyards that express the distinction of their place. We make every wine berry to bottle by hand with exceptional care in the vineyard and non-interventional practices at the winery. The winery is nestled in a cozy neighborhood near downtown San Jose, where it transformed an old warehouse into a beautiful place for wine.