ABOUT

By

Appointment

Networking

Group

The By-Appointment Networking Group was founded in April 2014 by Mallory McEligot, with the objective to create a network of individuals who solely work at by-appointment wineries. Over time, membership has expanded to include local drivers, concierge, and caterers who have expressed interest in participating in our specific and targeted networking events.

The By-Appointment Networking Group hosts private events at wineries, hotels, and restaurants. We invite a selection of businesses to showcase their offerings to a focused group of industry professionals. This model has proved successful in fostering inter-winery relationships, as well as lasting connections with trade partners. Our vast network works together to generate new business and revenue for all participating members by referring qualified clientele.

The By-Appointment Networking Group was founded in April 2014 by Mallory McEligot. We work with over 350+ individuals who represent over 150 businesses throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties.

We have been hosting exclusive private networking events for our members since June 2014. Our range of events can extend from an intimate Driver Expedition for 10 guests all the way to a 150 person Summer BBQ Celebration. During the Pandemic we pivoted to offering online events, virtual meetings, webinars and social media consultation to our members.

We are here to serve our members and help everyone succeed together. “Rising tides can lift all ships.” The fact that people visit our valley and visit more than one winery, eat at more than one restaurant, and are always seeking OUR opinion, made BANG what it is today! We are here to work together and help everyone thrive!

MEET OUR FOUNDER,
MALLORY MCELIGOT

Mallory Uran McEligot was born and raised in Napa California, a 5th generation Napan with strong familial ties to the Carneros Region and the subsequent wine industry there. In 2014 she founded the By Appointment Networking Group, to connect like-minded career driven individuals from by appointment wineries, touring companies, culinary mavens and the most elite lodging partners to network and create a referral based group for businesses to lean on for support and community. 

Mallory graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies, and her career started in the hospitality industry in 2004 working for the PlumpJack Group. She ended her tenure with the PlumpJack group working at CADE, PlumpJack and Odette Estate Wineries from 2012-2015. For the last seven years she has worked as Director of Memberships and Events for Silver Trident Winery, owned by the founder of Oceania Cruise Lines, Bob Binder. While working at Silver Trident Winery, Mallory started a blog and popular social media account VineLiving which focuses on the wine country lifestyle, where to visit, where to stay, where to eat and what to drink!  

Currently Mallory runs her company BANG Napa Valley full time while operating a successful social media marketing consultancy to support a select few clients. While not working she enjoys spending time with her husband Matt who is the Director of Operations for Reverie II Winery, her 3 yr old son Macklin and other close extended family members, in addition to her new pups Carmelita and Zula.

Mallory McEligot
  • Awarded Wine Marketer of the Year by The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco in 2018

  • 17 years combined Hospitality Experience in the Restaurant and Wine Industries

  • 5th Generation Napan with a vast network of peers and clients

“With the By Appointment Networking Group continuously growing, our goal is to create and foster a more intentional and impactful peer-based networking group in Sonoma County. We will continue to host an array of intimate and exclusive networking events specific to Sonoma County, while giving both Sonoma and Napa BANG Chapters access to each other’s events. This will allow for a unified base across both valleys, of leading hospitality professionals in the Wine Industry. We will also look to add to the many different revenue-building referral programs within our existing membership base and continue to grow and foster those relationships to provide direct sales opportunities to our members. It is proven that all clients prefer a personal recommendation above all other referral sources, and thus, growing the BANG Sonoma County Chapter will allow us to expand our offerings and resources for all current and future clients of both BANG Sonoma and Napa Chapters.”

Andy Farriester

Meet Andy Farriester

BANG Sonoma Chapter, President

Andy Farriester was born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas, and grew up with big dreams of being on Broadway. Those dreams took him to Southwest Missouri State University where he studied performing arts and received his B.F.A in acting. With his degree in hand, he took off for the Windy City, aka Chicago to pursue his dreams of hitting it big on the stage. Shortly after getting his first acting job, Andy met his husband, Russell who at the time, urged Andy to find a more secure career and one with a steadier stream of income, aka “a job”.

Since moving to the North Bay, Andy has had stints at wineries including; Dutton-Goldfield, Russian River Vineyards, MacRostie Winery, and his current role as Estate Lead at Stonestreet Estate in Alexander Valley. Andy lives with his husband, Russell Durant, and their two dogs, Lucy *a long-hair dachshund* and Shorty a *Jack Russell Terrier* and if you’re a fan of wine dogs, these two will be featured in the fifth edition of the Wine Dogs coffee table book and are currently featured in the 2023 Calendar.

CONNECT. LEARN. GROW

Meet leading industry professionals from Napa and Sonoma Counties. Work collaboratively to bring awareness to your brand and increase your business to business referrals.

Bringing Wineries, Lodging partners and Tour Guides together, in an intimate space, has been a proven model to grow your winery client referral base and help sell more wine. Members are given the opportunity to present their wines, properties, and services during our in person and online events.

Napa's best networking group
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