Shalene spent a decade in Seattle working in retail management and customer service before making Anaheim her home. She and her husband were guests of ours before we were lucky enough to have her join our team in late 2021. Shalene quickly caught on to our mission and fit right in. We are so blessed by her work ethic.

Lauren is our newest team member and we are delighted by her talents. She has a fantastic resume working in some of the most notable kitchens in Orange County. She is not only our full time chef, she is also a Culinary Arts instructor. We are lucky to have her on our team! We cannot wait for you to enjoy her food with your favorite glass of wine.

Molly will always hold a special place in our hearts as she was our first team member. She learned right along with us and we are so grateful. Molly is very busy raising 3 kiddos but we are so glad she makes time for us. She has the natural ability to make strangers into friends while pouring yummy wine. 

Katelyn started working for us as soon as they moved to the area for school. We were very proud to see Katelyn work so hard to put themselves through school and graduate all the while welcoming guests as part of our family. Katelyn now has the job they longed for and fortunately still works for us on the weekends!

 Camille's love of travel led her to the airlines. When she is not up in the air working, she is down to Earth at Colony. She has a contagious love of hospitality and makes our guests feel right at home. You may not see her often but when you do you will be greeted with a big smile. 

 Jack and Marquita are dear friends, passionate wine collectors and lovers of the good life. We met them through wine 20 years ago and when it was time, we asked them if they would invest in our dream of opening a wine bar. They jumped at the chance to be part of our vision and we are forever grateful. You may see them at the bar from time to time sipping on a bottle of Pinot. Be sure to say hello! 

Sonya Villegas-Kelsen grew up in the restaurant business working under her father, chef/owner of a number of restaurants in Pto. Vallarta, Mexico. She made her way to California to follow her passion for wine. In her early OC career she managed restaurants and beverage programs and became a certified sommelier. Since then Sonya has had the honor of managing distribution, sales, and marketing for a number of wineries (Turnbull Wine Cellars, Alpha Omega Winery, Quintessa, Monteverro etc.) state wide and on a national level.

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Sonya is blessed enough to bring her years of experience under one roof with her husband Mike. In late 2014 they opened Colony Wine Merchant where they welcome guests as they were welcoming them into their home.

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Mike grew up in a household of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist and mother, a talented vocalists who spent 30 years teaching music and choir in Orange County schools. Knowing that music would be his career, Mike would spend his days working in restaurants and nights playing all over Southern California. In 2003 he started his own entertainment company (Say When Entertainment) and has never looked back.

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Mike, a talented guitarist and vocalist is still very busy playing and booking gigs but now his years in the restaurant business are being put to use. He and his wife Sonya own Colony Wine Merchant. Mike runs the ever growing beer program as well as performs for guests, which have effortlessly become friends.