Born in Reston, Virginia, Bill spent the first few years of his childhood on the East Coast before moving west with his family. Landing in Reno, NV and then Scottsdale, AZ, his interest in food and wine was sparked by family travels throughout Europe during his high school and college years. After attending Northern Arizona University where he earned a degree in Marketing and Finance, Bill moved to California where he discovered a passion for wine country and the wine industry. Early in his career, Bill worked for several large advertising agencies specializing in the wine industry. Armed with business savvy and a desire to work for a winery, Bill took a job at Pine Ridge in Napa Valley for a brief stint in their tasting room. Not long after joining Pine Ridge, Bill was hired at St. Supery Vineyards and Winery in Rutherford, CA. In his role as Marketing Assistant, Bill learned the ropes from some of the brightest minds in the wine industry.
In January 2005, Bill joined Dry Creek Vineyard. The combination of his enthusiasm for the wine business and solid background in public relations and marketing has made Bill one of the most sought-after representatives of this Sonoma County winery.
In November 2015, Bill accepted the role as Vice President and General Manager of Lambert Bridge Winery. Lambert Bridge is considered a hidden gem in Sonoma County. Exceptional wines and unforgettable experiences are what define the winery’s comfortable estate tucked into three acres on West Dry Creek Road. Lambert Bridge is the perfect environment to savor artisanal wines recognized for their balance, elegance and nuances of old world structure.
When he’s not working for Lambert Bridge, Bill can be found on the golf course in the summer or on the ski slopes during the winter. In August of 2012, Bill and his wife Danielle welcomed their first child, Genevieve Catherine Smart. Then in June 2015, they welcomed their second child, Evelyn Elizabeth Smart. Finally, in March 2018 they welcomed a son, William Vernor Smart VII. Bill and Danielle enjoy cooking meals and drinking a good glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. A resident of Healdsburg, CA, Bill is right at home in wine country and enjoys all aspects of his life.