Our Team
CEO & Owner
Djamila Cabugos, Esq.
Djamila oversees every facet of the organization—from vineyards and winemaking to hospitality and e-commerce. A former intellectual-property attorney, she brings a combination of legal expertise, entrepreneurial vision and operational leadership to the estate. Since acquiring Sunstone in 2019 she has led its evolution into a multifaceted brand, expanding from estate-grown wine into accommodations, signature events and new product lines. Fluent in English and Spanish and holding dual U.S.–Mexico citizenship, she embodies Sunstone’s spirit of heritage, hospitality and innovation.
President & Owner
Teddy Cabugos
Since acquiring Sunstone in 2019, Teddy has led the revitalization of the estate. With over a decade of experience in entertainment licensing and brand development, his focus on business development, strategic partnerships and marketing has broadened Sunstone’s reach across wine, hospitality and new beverage lines. Beyond the winery, he works with the wider California wine, travel and hospitality industries.
Winemaking
The Winemaker
Our winemaker is a Santa Ynez Valley local with more than 16 years of winemaking experience, working with Rhône, Burgundy and Bordeaux varieties. Known for blending artistry with precision, he makes wines that reflect both elegance and terroir. His focus extends beyond the cellar: he mentors and educates the winery team so that every guest’s experience carries the knowledge and pride of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Hospitality
Director of Hospitality
Our Director of Hospitality brings a lifetime of passion for wine and hospitality to the Sunstone tasting room. Raised on California’s Central Coast, where a wine cellar was a staple of the family home, she grew up with an appreciation for wine and the joy of sharing it. A certified wine professional whose career has run through other Central Coast tasting rooms, she combines deep knowledge with genuine warmth, making sure every guest feels welcomed, inspired and at home.
The team
The Estate Team
Behind the owners, the winemaker and the Director of Hospitality are the people who pour, make and farm. The tasting room and wine club team — a senior tasting room lead, tasting room leads, customer service and tasting room associates — looks after every visit and every shipment. The winemaking team — cellar master, assistant cellar master and cellar assistant — carries each vintage from harvest to bottle. Estate operations — the supervising groundskeeper and groundskeeper — keeps the vineyard, the gardens and the grounds.