As is the case for many of the winemakers in California, Hillary Sjolund holds a B.S. degree in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis. She held harvest internships with Pine Ridge Winery in the Napa Valley both before and after completing her degree in 2002. In early 2003 she gained international experience through a harvest internship with Maquis Vineyards in Palmilla, Chile, where she was instrumental in establishing the winery’s first laboratory.

Upon her return to California, Hillary again joined Pine Ridge, now as assistant winemaker, a position she held until moving to DiStefano Winery in Woodinville, Washington, in mid-2006. She left DiStefano in 2010 to establish Washington-based Enomama LLC, a commercial enology laboratory, and Sonoris Wines, a boutique winery. Hillary added the role of winemaker for Boss Wine to her responsibilities beginning in mid-2012 and led the custom-crush program there. Boss Wine acquired Enomama in 2015. In addition to winemaking, she taught on-line courses in chemistry and winemaking, as well as represented Vicard Generation 7 Cooperage in growing its business with wineries throughout British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.

Hillary returned to California in mid-2019, joining Aperture Cellars in Healdsburg as associate winemaker; she was named Director of Winemaking there in 2024. At Aperture, she is tasked with evolving the brand’s winemaking ethos and participating in vineyard decisions, blends, and trials. She will be crafting Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, among other wines.