Founder & CEO, Oceano Wines
Cofounder & Program Author, AFNA Wine CertifiedTM

Rachel Martin brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of viticulture,
winemaking, sensory science, and hospitality. As founder and CEO of Oceano Wines—the
company behind the Oceano Zero and Oceano Ultra product lines—and cofounder and
principal author of the AFNA (Alcohol Free Non Alcoholic) Wine CertifiedTM program, she is
redefining how the wine industry approaches quality, transparency, and alcohol-free
innovation.

Rachel studied enology and viticulture at Napa Valley College and the University of
Bordeaux, where she also completed advanced training in wine sensory evaluation through
the DUAD (Diplôme Universitaire d’Aptitude à la Dégustation) program at the Institut des
Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin. This specialized coursework reflects her deep commitment to
technical wine analysis and sensory science.
She began her career as Executive Vice President of her family’s Boxwood Estate Winery in
Virginia, where she managed all vineyard and winery operations, led the brand’s
international expansion, and authored the successful petition establishing the Middleburg
Virginia AVA (American Viticultural Area).

In 2016, Rachel founded Oceano Wines, a boutique label dedicated to single-vineyard
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the ocean-influenced Spanish Springs Vineyard in
California’s San Luis Obispo Coast AVA. In 2023, she introduced Oceano Zero, the first
luxury nonalcoholic wine in the prestige price tier, crafted to reflect the same terroir and
sense of place as its traditional counterparts. This was followed by Oceano Ultra, a 3.5%
ABV Syrah that set a new benchmark for reduced-alcohol wine. Her leadership has helped
expand the definition of premium wine to include alcohol-free and low-alcohol formats with
site-driven character.

Rachel also brings hospitality expertise from her involvement in establishing her family’s
four wine bars—The Tasting Room Wine Bar & Shop—which operated as both on-premise
venues and licensed retail shops. From concept to completion, she played a key role in
launching each location, advising on wine program development, international sourcing,
menu design, staff education, merchandising, storage systems, dispensing equipment, and
overall guest experience.
She is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier New York. Chapter, and was the first woman to be
inducted into the Washington, D.C., chapter of the International Wine & Food Society.
Her wines have earned numerous accolades, including Domestic Wine of the Year, multiple
platinum medals, and 95-point ratings from top critics and wine competitions.
A recognized thought leader, Rachel has spoken at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium,
Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium, and the National Association of Wine Retailers,
where she advocates for innovation in alcohol-free wine, sustainability, and the future of
mindful drinking.
Her work and wines have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, The Washington Post, Yahoo
Finance, WIRED, Food & Wine, VinePair, Napa Valley Register, Eater, and Edible, among
many others.

Connect:
Website: Oceano Wines | AFNA Wine Certified
Email: rachel@oceanowines.com | rachel@alcoholfreeaficianados.com
Instagram: @rachel_oceano | @oceanowines
LinkedIn: Rachel Martin