Our Staff
Meet Suzy!
Our owner and founder, Suzy Dameron, not only contributed some of her hallowed horse pastures to create Upper Shirley Vineyards, she also helped plant the vines by hand. She is most proud of her two children, Emy and Tayloe. In fair weather, you will find Suzy serving wine from the caravan or riding her horse along the riverside. Suzy enjoys nothing better than pouring the latest vintage of USV’s sparkling rosé for our guests.
Meet our Winemaker, Michael Shaps.
Michael has been making wine in Virginia since 1995. In 2004, he won the Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition, a venue where he has accumulated numerous gold medals throughout the years. Michael has been lauded by numerous publications, including Saveur, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, Washingtonian, and The Washington Post. He is also a partner in Maison Shaps Winery in Meursault, France, and holds a BPA (Brevet Professionnel Agricole) in Enology and Viticulture from Lycée Viticole de Beaune, France.
Tayloe M.B. Dameron, Wine Director
Tayloe M.B. Dameron has worked in fine dining and wine distribution in southern hot-spot, Charleston, SC. Tayloe is currently a WSET Level 4 Diploma Student (Elite level of certification comprised of Blindtasting, Winemaking, and Viticulture). He manages the vineyard team, conducts private tastings, wine club dinners, and outside sales. Tayloe is also involved with all aspects of our winemaking and dedicated to producing artisan wines that demonstrate the highest quality. Tayloe is passionate about exploring new styles as well as executing the classics that USV has quickly become known for. He is an alumnus of Collegiate School '12 and Dickinson College '16.