Telaya is the brainchild of Earl and his wife Carrie. In his frequent travels abroad as the COO of a pharmaceutical company, Earl’s background as a biochemist merged with his exposure to various wines and wine styles. This all resulted in a certainty that winemaking was the next step in his life journey, especially because it would foster the opportunity to spend more time with Carrie and their two boys.
 
Earl’s first major Telaya projects included producing an experimental 2008 blend with Carrie. With the support of consultants and his own experience harvesting with another winery, he set the course for Telaya’s core flavor profile and concept.  
 
In addition to owning and operating Telaya, Earl owns a consulting practice, E2S, which focuses on high growth business with an emphasis in beverage and healthcare. In his free time (ha!), he serves as a Commissioner for the Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission and  on for-profit and non-profit boards including the College of Western Idaho, The CORE, Zona Healthcare, and MSI Micro Vac.

Earl Sullivan

Owner & Winemaker

Carrie leads Telaya along with her husband, Earl. Nearing Carrie’s 40th birthday, they worked through ways to prioritize family while still allowing Carrie to pursue her passion of science. Winemaking was that answer, and she’s never looked back!
 
After completing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University in 2000, Carrie practiced in Columbus, Ohio and Boise, Idaho. Her two sons arrived in 2004 and 2007, and she found that striking that work-life balance was becoming more difficult–now, as a business owner and winemaker, Carrie has the flexibility to be present for her boys while fostering her natural ambition and drive.
 
Carrie credits her time with winemakers in Washington and Idaho for the foundation of her winemaking education. As her boys become more independent, she’s been able to spend even more time in the cellar, continuously researching to hone her skills and craft. Her journey to becoming a winemaker has culminated in that balance she was always searching for–working with her husband, spending time with her sons, and pursuing her passions.

Telaya Wine Co.

United States

Winemakers

Earl Sullivan

Owner & Winemaker

Carrie Sullivan

Owner & Winemaker