Emily was brought up in Northern California and had roles in the wine industry, in hospitality and as a pastry chef before moving into private-estate management.
She has worked for Michael and Xochi Birch for 15 years, and been involved in numerous projects for the couple. Emily’s roles have included helping set up the private members club The Battery in San Francisco, managing the design and build of Moon Hollow (their 600-acre ranch and winery in Sonoma), and developing their island home in the British Virgin Islands.
These varied skills and experience turned out to be just the combination required to create and manage The Collective at Woolsery with its sustainable farm, pub, restaurant, village shop and boutique-hotel build. Emily has been at the heart of project from the beginning and says: ‘I wanted to ensure that this project, which is so personal to Michael and Xochi, turned out to be as special as their vision.’