About BWGA
Accurate, fast, friendly. Baker Wine & Grape Analysis delivers the science to support your creative vision.
The Lab
Baker Wine & Grape Analysis started in January of 2002 and grew rapidly into a well-equipped laboratory offering a range of analytical services for the wine industry in California's Central Coast.
Over time, the lab expanded its services beyond grapes and wine. BWGA earned approval from The California Olive Oil Council to provide chemical certification for extra virgin olive oil. Microbial services such as bottle sterility, microbial cultures, yeast count & viability and DNA analysis have been added to the lineup. Distilled spirits, kombucha, cider and beer analysis services were also added as those local industries began to thrive.
The laboratory moved to its current location near downtown Paso Robles in 2015. Our team loves providing great service and accurate results for the industries we serve, and we always look forward to working with you!
The Baker Wine & Grape Analysis Team
Heather Mikelonis
Owner
In 2006 Heather began working at Baker Wine & Grape Analysis to help with accounts and upgrade the technological processes. With a Master’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Indiana University, her expertise was not initially in the science field but Heather quickly became an integral part of the lab. After 15 years of working in all areas at BWGA, Heather purchased the lab from Dr. Brenda Baker. She is excited to continue operating Baker Wine & Grape Analysis as an asset to the wine, cider, olive oil, beer and spirits industries.
Amy Freeman
Lab Chemist, TTB Certified Chemist
Amy joined the lab in 2019 with over two decades of experience in the wine industry and we are happy to have her on the Baker Team! Amy has a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, expertise in both wine production (she has done it all from lab tech, cellar worker, enologist, assistant winemaker to winemaker) and in the vineyard, and is a TTB Certified Chemist. She is an active volunteer with the Vineyard Team and is on both the SIP Certified Vineyard and SIP Certified Winery technical advisory committees. Whether it is coaching youth soccer or serving on boards of local nonprofits, she is always happy to be fostering the amazing sense of community that exists on the Central Coast. Amy and her family love to spend time hiking, skiing, reading, cooking and exploring outdoors as much as possible.
Stephan Brown
Lab Chemist, TTB Certified Chemist
Stephan joined the BWGA team in 2022 after obtaining a degree in Biochemistry from Fresno State in 2021. His first job out of college was as an Analytical Chemist in the volatile chemical department of a lab contracted by the US Department of Defense. Stephan's hobbies include traveling and cooking. He's been to West Africa, Italy and South America and is looking forward to his next big trip to either Germany or Thailand, although he's not sure which country he'll visit first. He grew up cooking with his Great-Grandmother and that is something he has not let go of; his most famous dishes include gnocchi, mac and cheese and baked ziti. Stephan grew up in Paso Robles and is excited to be back in his hometown and part of the prestigious wine industry it is known for.
Barb McFadden
Bookkeeper
Barb began her career in the banking industry and has been our bookkeeper since 2015. After raising a family and running a successful electrical contracting company with her husband Russ in Thousand Oaks, they decided Paso Robles would be an ideal place to relocate. With over 25 years of bookkeeping experience, a great sense of humor and a genuine interest in the wine industry, she is a perfect fit for Baker Wine & Grape Analysis.
Jennifer Tallent Joseph
Client Support Specialist
Jennifer joined the team at Baker in 2023 after knowing us as a client for years as part of her family's farm, The Groves on 41, where they grow and produce amazing, award-winning olive oils. In addition to her background in olive oil production, Jennifer is an organizational whiz and has extensive experience in hospitality and tourism, making a visit to BWGA better than ever. Jennifer's work in the community includes being on her area's Advisory Council and planning committees each year for FARMsteadED Open Farm Days and the Paso Robles Olive & Lavender Fesitval. Jennifer enjoys baking, running and spending time in the Eastern Sierra with her husband and their newly adopted pup.
Dr. Brenda Baker
Founder
Dr. Brenda Baker opened Baker Wine & Grape Analysis and earned the title of TTB Certified Chemist in 2002. Dr. Baker earned her Doctorate in Biochemistry from Colorado State University in 1992 with an emphasis on protein chemistry, and taught Chemistry at the University level at Colorado State University, University of Colorado and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In 2022, Brenda sold the business to her long-time Operations Manager, Heather Mikelonis, and now spends her time in both Wyoming and Paso Robles.