Team – EFESTĒ

Meet The Team

Distinct Personalities, United By Passion

Meet The Owners

Helen & Daniel Ferrelli

Married for 57 years, Daniel and Helen Ferrelli are the heart behind EFESTĒ’s winemaking legacy. Inspired by Daniel’s grandfather — the original “Big Papa,” who made wine in Chicago during Prohibition — Daniel continued the family tradition for decades, using his grandfather’s old press before he and Kevin Taylor turned “a couple of barrels” of garage wine into EFESTĒ Winery in 2001. Rooted in Italian and Greek heritage, wine and hospitality have always been inseparable in the Ferrelli family. That generational passion continues to shape every bottle we produce today.

Angela Taylor

Angela Taylor, a Washington State University graduate in Marketing Communications and Business, serves as EFESTĒ’s estate steward and strategic leader. What began as a few barrels of family-made wine has grown into a 60-acre Red Mountain estate producing approximately 13,000 cases annually, with wines consistently award-winning for over 20 years and crafted through native fermentation and minimal-intervention practices. Outside the winery, Angela enjoys time on the tennis or pickleball court, attending Seattle sporting events with her boys, and gathering with family at their cabin in Tumble Creek.

Kevin Taylor

Kevin Taylor co-founded EFESTĒ to honor his wife Angela’s family winemaking traditions, combining generational heritage with a long-term vision for building a true estate winery. As founder of Taylor Development in 1993, and drawing from a family legacy that began with Cadman Sand & Gravel in 1946, Kevin has spent over 30 years developing land across the Puget Sound region — experience that now guides EFESTĒ’s 60-acre Red Mountain vineyard strategy and sustained growth. When he’s not focused on vineyards or winery operations, Kevin enjoys time on the golf course, hunting in the fall, or fishing whenever he can.

Joe Taylor

Joe Taylor represents the next generation of EFESTĒ leadership, playing an integral role in EFESTĒ Sales focused on expanding distribution, strengthening key accounts, and driving brand growth. A Washington State University graduate in Finance and former Division I strong safety under Head Coach Jake Dickert, Joe brings discipline, competitiveness, and strategic focus to the winery’s continued expansion. The resilience behind Tough Guy reflects the same steady determination he now channels into building EFESTĒ’s future.

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor serves as Vice President of Land at Taylor Development, continuing his family’s multi-generational legacy in land stewardship while supporting EFESTĒ’s vineyard growth. A 2023 Washington State University graduate in Business Management and member of Theta Chi Fraternity, Paul combines a background in construction management with strong community ties as a 2019 Eastside Catholic graduate and current JVC Basketball Head Coach at EC. An avid golfer and sports enthusiast, he is a familiar presence at EFESTĒ events and at the SoDo location before Seahawks and Mariners games.

Meet The Leadership Team

Leslie Rhoades Director of Finance & Operations

Leslie Rhoades joined EFESTĒ in 2010 and has been instrumental in the winery's growth over the past 16 years. As Director of Finance & Operations, she brings a solutions-driven approach to building a collaborative team that delivers exceptional guest experiences and sustainable operations. Known for her critical thinking and problem-solving skills, Leslie is deeply committed to ensuring every aspect of the business runs smoothly. Leslie loves seeing long-term customers return year after year, and outside of work, she enjoys being a devoted dog mom and hiking on the Peninsula.

Corey Westerhoff Branding & Marketing Director

Woman holding a glass of wine in a winery setting with wine barrels.

Paige Whipp Winemaker

Paige brings a unique blend of discipline, resilience, and passion to her role as Winemaker at EFESTĒ. After serving nearly two decades as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army, she returned to her lifelong passion for winemaking, graduating from the Northwest Wine Academy in 2023. From 2022 to 2025, Paige served as Assistant Winemaker and Operations Manager at BAER Winery in Woodinville, crafting Bordeaux-inspired blends. A proud Washington native with roots in her family's Oregon winery, Paige's deep connection to the Pacific Northwest fuels her appreciation for the region's vibrant wine culture and exceptional terroir.