Meet the Staff

The Les Bourgeois staff is a family of professionals who are passionate about wine, and includes our leaders, winemakers and everyone dedicated to serving you.

We love what we do, and we look forward to your next visit to our vineyards and winery.

Curtis M. Bourgeois
CEO

Cory Bomgaars (email)

Head Winemaker–As VP winery operations I, I coordinate all aspects of wine production from supply to final product.  My primary focus is working with our growers to insure that our winemaking team receives the best grapes possible.   I have been interested in wine, food and agriculture as long as I can remember.  My job is a perfect combination of all three.  At home I raise two boys and a basset hound and enjoy my gardens.

Sue Good (email)
Office Manager–I have enjoyed working as office manager at Les Bourgeois since July, 2005; so I have a wide variety of duties keeping me busy on the Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays that I am here.  The most favorite part of my job – paying bills, the worst – filing!  The Good household consists of 2 adults, 3 dogs, 2 horses (daughter-in-law’s) and a cat. The greats in life: grandkids, family and friends!  Favorite wine today – Fleur de Vin.

Jacob Holman (email)
Winemaker–My daily tasks change depending on the time of year but overall include taking grapes through the winemaking process, maintaining and developing our products, and building relationships in the winemaking community. I like to garden, drink Stag beer, and cook for my friends and family. I have quite a collection of flannel shirts. I don’t like milk {not even the chocolate kind}. My favorite season is Spring.

Jeff Lynch (email)
Chief Facilities Engineer

Marilyn Ellsasser (email)
Tasting Room and Gift Shop Manager–I see visitors from all over the world who stop by to sample and buy our wines. I love lush tropical colors and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite candy. Well actually anything chocolate.

Drew Lemberger (email)
I have been in the wine business for my whole adult life, first on the retail side, then for the following 12 years with the Les Bourgeois production staff.  My current responsibilities involve supervising the filling, packaging and warehouse logistics of all of our great wine brands. When I am not “filling” that role, I am training our new generation of winemakers and cellar staff not to hurt themselves with the equipment or compromise our brands high standards with questionable workmanship.  Helping someone get a start in the wine business is very rewarding for me personally, and very important to the overall company philosophy for continued personal growth.  My wife Sara and our two children live in the historic part of Rocheport in a house we have been restoring for the past 5 years.  Did I mention that she was a very, very, very good wife!  I also own and operate Drew’s Guide Service and Missouri Boatworks.  For a custom built boat or a guided river fishing or sightseeing trip check out my website  www.missouriboatworks.com

Gary Paxton (email)

Cellar Master– My daily work routine includes racking, filtering, fining wine. General repair/upkeep, cleaning of wine equipment, our barrel program and coordinating with other wine production staff. Sienna as my favorite color and favorite candy is grizzly long-cut straight.

Tim Weiss (email)
Director of Sales–I started with LBV after graduating from Mizzou with a degree in marketing in 2007. As the Director of Sales I work with all our distributors in four states to make sure LBV wines are available commercially for our customers. Since joining the LBV family I have earned my MBA from William Woods University and won the 20 under 40 award from the Columbia Business Times. I spend most of my free time with friends, keeping up with my fitness and playing with my cat Jack.

Rachel Mills (email)
Marketing Director–The diverse range of my responsibilities includes design work, promotions, tastings, donations, advertising, public relations, social media and online development, and industry relations along with trying to keep our wily winemakers in line. I adore food, wine, music, and the occasional glass of scotch.

Joshua Smith (email)
Executive Chef–As the new guy, it is generally my job to make the coffee and file the paperwork. Additionally, I am responsible for creating the menus and overseeing their execution at both the Bistro and the A-Frame. In order to provide the highest quality food and dining experience to our guests, I am constantly working on developing and maintaining relationships with local and regional farmers, food artisans and purveyors and am committed to sourcing sustainable ingredients.  Most of my hobbies involve food and/or wine in some capacity, and there is nothing I value more than spending time with my wife, my family and my friends.

Chelsea Bessey (email)
Catering Director–As the Catering Director, I spend my days taking inquiries and planning upcoming events.  I’m always on the go coordinating with other managers at the Bistro, Tasting Room, and A-frame.  My favorite color is green or pink (I can’t choose) and I love gummy bears, especially the white ones.

Nicole Farr (email)
Bistro Manager–As the restaurant manager, I oversee the day to day activities in the bistro to ensure that everything runs efficiently and smoothly.  I take a great deal of pride in this beautiful spot, and strive to  maintain the high standards of food and service that Les Bourgeois is known for.  When I am not with “bistro family”, I am spending all of my time at home with my husband and three children.

Eric Wright (email)
A-Frame Manager–I work with management and staff to make sure the A-frame is a place for everyone to enjoy. I share our wine with guests, prepare food and book bands. In my free time I like to hang out with my wife and daughter. I like to draw, mess with computers, watch documentaries and play golf…even though I am terrible.