Meet the Team

Dawn R Galante

Founder/CEO

With a passion for life and a head for business, Dawn Galante had a dream of producing approachable wines of exceptional quality and elegance.  With the loving support of her family and customers, her dream has come true.  Dawn’s wines have become known as some of the best in all of Monterey County and the Central Coast winning local, national, and international awards for her exquisite varietals.  Most recently, Dawn’s Pinot Noir was voted as the “Best Pinot Noir of Monterey County” and her Rosé has been voted the “Best Rosé of Monterey County” for the past 7 years in a row.  She has a very hands-on approach in all aspects of her winery business which has led to the production of some of the areas most beloved wines including Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sangiovese.

Born and raised in Michigan, Dawn traveled to California in 1985 where she built a life with her husband and their five children: Nicole, John, Alyssa, Evan and Rachael.  Dawn cherishes her family and friends above all else and you might even recognize a few of the family names on the face of her wine labels.  As living proof that dreamers exist and excel, Dawn has built her life on free-thinking Henry David Thoreau’s belief that “Dreams are the touchstones of our character”.

Dawn’s “dream” has always been to help create dreams for others by donating her product, money or time to support nonprofit organizations both locally and globally.  Dawn’s passion for helping women and children equals her passion for making wine.  Dawn has produced award-winning wines of exceptional quality and elegance while maintaining a business model that allows for the opportunity to give back.  We encourage you to visit our tasting room or click here to learn more about Dawn's mission of giving back and her connection to local and international non-profit organizations.

Deborah Karas

Office Manager

A native California girl, Deborah grew up in San Diego but has called the Monterey Peninsula home for more than 30 years.  After graduating from MPC, Deborah immersed herself in the world of food and wine attending the Greystone Culinary Institute and receiving her level one sommelier.  With over 15 years of experience as a F&B Manager and a restaurant Wine Buyer, Deborah comes with an ideal background for the wine industry.  While her resume speaks volumes, Deborah isn’t all business.  She loves to go hiking, read and watch sci-fi and horror, and spend quality time with her two plush puppies at home.  At the end of a long day, Deborah reaches for a glass of big, juicy cabernet or a rich, buttery chardonnay. 

She is fond of the beautiful quote by Emily Dickinson, "Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all.  And sweetest in the gale is heard, and sore must be the storm, that could abash the little bird, that kept so many warm.  I've heard it in the chilliest land, and on the strangest sea, yet, never, in extremity, it asked a crumb of me".
 

Maegan Kohn

Wine Club & PR Manager

There really isn't anything Maegan can't do.  Her can-do attitude is instrumental in leading our team at Dawn's Dream.  Originally from Carmel, Indiana (yes, she loves the city of Carmel...wherever it is!), she moved to Carmel, California in pursuit of a new beginning and a challenge.  In 2012, Maegan starting working for Jack and Dawn Galante, and took a short break, returning as the company's own super hero in 2016 excelling as our Operations Manager.  Maegan's team leadership abilities were honed at the Univeristy of North Carolina when she was the captain of the Women's Rowing Team.  You can hear her still yell out, "Go Tar Heels!", but she is always rooting for Dawn's Dream Winery!  In fact she's often enjoying a bottle of the Rosé with her husband, Andy after a productive day of juggling a busy day of work and being a mom to her two adorable children, Jack and McKenna (aka "Nugget" - you may have had the Chardonnay!).  Maegan lives life by a simple motto, "life is too short to drink bad wine"!
 

Sara Karaki

Sales & Event Coordinator

Doug Hewitt

Tasting Room Sales Associate

Megan Best

Studio Booking Manager & Wholesale Sales Rep