Magdalena Morales

Being born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Magdalena's exposure to wine was nearly nonexistent. In 2017, she set out for New York to attend the Culinary Institute of America. During her last semester, she was properly introduced to the world of wine. What initially started as a hobby quickly became a passion as her studies progressed. Upon graduation, she transitioned from the back of the house to the front, where her love of food and wine came together.

After graduating, Magdalena stayed an additional year in Poughkeepsie, working as a Manager-In-Training at the Bocuse Restaurant on campus. There, she began her sommelier training and sat for her Introductory Exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Once her time in New York was complete, she embarked on her next journey to Tennessee. During her time there, she worked at Blackberry Farm and a local Italian restaurant. In 2022, she decided to make a slight career change. Still wanting to work with wine, Magdalena applied to be a Harvest Intern through the Roots Fund, which placed her at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, Washington. Working in production gave her the opportunity to work with wine and also create. Once harvest was completed, she returned to Tennessee with the sole goal of getting back into the cellar.

In 2023, Magdalena decided to take the leap and make the career change permanent. She relocated to Napa and joined the Heitz Cellar team as a harvest intern. She was hired full-time at the start of 2024. This past fall, Magdalena received the Rooted In France scholarship to work harvest at Domaine Dujac.