FOUNDERS
Rebecca Faust
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
Rebecca Faust grew up in Sonoma County vineyards before embarking upon a career path that ultimately brought her back home to become one of the founding partners of Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services. A calm and steady visionary, she is widely known as a champion of superior wines made in the Méthode Champenoise tradition.
After graduating from Sonoma State University with a business degree, she first discovered her passion for wine while working for Deloitte & Touche. She moved on to work as financial controller for the prestigious domestic sparkling wine brand Piper Sonoma, then eventually became CFO at Lambert Bridge Winery. She brings more than 25 years of experience to the team
Having an entrepreneurial spirit, she co-founded Rack & Riddle in 2007 along with Bruce Lundquist. Soon after, she co-founded Breathless Wines along with her sisters Sharon Cohn and Cynthia Faust, in memory of their mother Matha, who taught them the importance of living life to the fullest. The Breathless sparkling wines celebrate and remember the moments in life that leave you breathless. The Breathless Wines brand also brings awareness to the respiratory disease that afflicted their mom: Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
Rack & Riddle is among just ten percent of California wineries that are led by women. Rebecca is a recipient of the North Bay Business Journal’s “Women in Business” award, recognized for her contributions in business, the community and the wine industry.
Along with her husband Allen, Rebecca lives in Healdsburg where they raised their three children, and now enjoy their grandchildren.
Superpower: A strong sense of fairness and the ability to bring common sense to the Rack & Riddle partnership.
Favorite Sparkling Beverage: Breathless Blanc de Noirs, which is made with care by Winemaker Penelope Gadd Coster
Sparkling wine life moment, memory, experience or turning point? My mom was always proud of me, but after we started Rack & Riddle in 2007, she visited the winery in Hopland a few times before she passed away. The look in her eyes expressed a thousand words of approval and happiness. The memory of my mother has, on more than one occasion, driven me forward when I otherwise could have been prey to doubt.
Bruce Lundquist
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
Bruce Lundquist is known to be quick-witted. Yet unbeknownst to others he is frighteningly fast with numbers, and able to process math calculations in his head—often much faster than others can process an identical transaction on a calculator. During his career, Bruce focused his talents primarily in natural resource and agricultural-based industries. For the past 28 years, he has focused intensely upon the wine industry.
In wine he began as general manager at J Vineyards & Winery, moved on to being a partner at Longboard Vineyards, then after identifying a need for premium, custom sparkling wine production, he co-founded Rack & Riddle with Rebecca Faust in 2007.
Prior to joining the wine industry, Bruce was a controller in the forest products industry, and then was the controller/treasurer at Tillamook Cheese in Oregon. Eventually he moved to Petaluma, California to work as the CFO at California Dairy Products.
Bruce serves on the Executive Board of Family Winemakers of California, an association dedicated to the advocacy and success of its winery members. He is deeply and passionately involved in legislative, regulatory, and water issues that impact California’s wine industry.
A dual resident of both Oregon and California, Bruce has deftly handled the commute from his home and family in Oregon, to the R&R Winery sites in California. Along with his wife Denise, they raised six children and are now helping to raise three granddaughters and one grandson.
When not at Rack & Riddle, Bruce spends his time free time working out, gardening and serving as chair of Linfield University’s Wine Education and Advocacy Council.
Bruce holds a BA from Linfield University, an MBA from the University of Portland, and is an alumnus of the Wine Executive Program – UC Davis.
Superpower: Making lemonade out of difficult challenges.
Favorite Sparkling Beverage or Cocktail: Partial to R&R’s Blanc de Blanc, now gravitating to Blanc de Noir. Our Méthode Champenoise products are terrific!
Sparkling wine life moment, memory, experience or turning point? Rebecca Faust and I co-founded Rack & Riddle in 2007, the following three consecutive years the American economy was devastated. Thousands of businesses, and millions of Americans went bankrupt. Sometime in 2011 when the economy began to improve, Rebecca made an observation about how we were evolving at Rack & Riddle. “Do you realize we never use the word ‘if?’ We always use the word ‘when.’” Her insight was simple, profound, powerful. “If” is the wrong side of doubt, and it leads into the abyss. “When” is the right side of success, as it reckons an outcome one is seeking. Our products, employees, and clients were huge contributors in sustaining Rack & Riddle through tough times. But our shared belief and passion to succeed no matter the challenges, has remained our cornerstone. We look forward to each day and what it might bring our way!