Chelsea, Alabama · Since 2016

Meet Us.

The team, the animals, the story — and the dream that turned a farm into a second home for thousands of people.

How It Started

A farm, a dream, and a whole lot of wine.

It started with a blind date, a shared love of wine, and kitchen experiments that friends wouldn't stop talking about. "This is California quality," they'd say. And from that, a dream took shape.

In 2015, a farm on Old Highway 280 in Chelsea became home. What was supposed to be a long-term dream turned into reality faster than anyone imagined. The winery opened its doors, and the community showed up.

Since then, Cat-n-Bird has hosted hundreds of events — from baby showers to milestone birthdays to weddings — and has become a standing Saturday tradition for people across Shelby County and beyond.

In 2024, we added Spitting Llama Brew Company, finally answering years of requests for beer. We also created a Young Entrepreneur scholarship to give back to the community that's given so much to us.

This is still a family operation. Still a working farm. Still the same warmth that brought people in on day one.

The People Behind the Pour

Meet the Team

Matt & Robyn
The Cat and the Bird — entrepreneurs behind the winery. What started as a fun home winemaking hobby has grown into an exciting small business delivering more than just wine. They've hosted hundreds of events from baby showers to weddings, created a Young Entrepreneur college scholarship, and are always looking for ways to give back to the local community.
Emily
Emily is often referred to as the "cub" of Cat-n-Bird Winery — she's practically family. She handles our social media marketing, loves party planning, and is always coming up with fun drink concoctions. Her favorite wine to share with friends is Pinot Noir.
Karen
Karen is "Bringing Karen Back" — one of her many famous sayings you'll hear around the winery. She's been part of our team since 2018, always has a wine-themed t-shirt on, and makes them for us too. Her drink of choice is Nebbiolo.
Sheri
Sheri has been with us since the very beginning. She helps with our email newsletter and handles scheduling all of our food trucks and live performers. Her sweet family visits often and always leaves with bottles of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir.
Michelle
Michelle actually got married at the winery in 2019 and joined our team in summer 2021. When she's not here she's working out or sunbathing at the beach. Her favorite wine at the moment — so hard to choose just one! — is our Cabernet Sauvignon.
Krista
Krista is our go-to for all things artsy, cooking, and medical. She's never opposed to getting messy and putting in the hard work. Whether she's at the winery, home with her fur babies, or with her Cat-n-Bird family, you'll find her with our Sauvignon Blanc in hand.
Jasmine
Jasmine has been with us since 2021! You'll mostly see her during the summer — she's a Special Education teacher by day. She's a very hard worker and loves to un"wine" with any of our wines, because she loves them all.
Melissa
Melissa has been with the Cat-n-Bird dream team since 2021. In her own words: "This is my happy place!" Her favorites are ALL of the reds.
Jill
Jill has been working at Cat-n-Bird since January 2023! She is a self-proclaimed Prosecco Princess and loves all things mimosa. She also works behind the scenes on social media and marketing. A middle school teacher, trivia host, and proud dog mom of 2.
Chelsea
Chelsea has been with Cat-n-Bird since early 2022 and you can find her smiling on most Saturdays. Her sparkling, bubbly personality pairs perfectly with her favorite wine — Prosecco. Outside the winery, Chelsea is an early childhood educator and dog mom of 4. She especially looks forward to weekends at her home away from home here at Cat-n-Bird.
Erin
Erin is thrilled to be part of the Cat-n-Bird family! She has been teaching music education since 2007 and actively performs and conducts around the state. She loves that she gets to spend her downtime sharing the love of wine with awesome people. Her favorites: Nebbiolo and Malbec.
Mike
Mike started in May 2024, but if you've been here before you may have spotted him helping out at events. He's married to Melissa, and you'll find him slinging beers, pouring slushies, and lifting heavy things. He's also a certified wedding officiant and has performed a ceremony right here at Cat-n-Bird!
Steve
Steve joined the team in June 2024. He's been in radio for more than 30 years, loves NASCAR and all things auto racing, and honestly started hanging around the winery just to spend more time with his wife Karen. His favorite wine is La Rubia.

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The Original Residents

Meet the Animals

We're advocates of animal rescue — and it shows. Before the winery, before the weddings, these guys were already here. Come say hi on your next visit.

Pedro
Pedro is a miniature donkey and has been part of the Lyons family since 2016. He loves carrots, apples, and attention. Feel free to give him pets — just watch your fingers, he likes to nibble!
Monty
Monty is a blind rescue pig and the winery's official garbage disposal for event leftovers. We ask that all leftovers (that aren't pork — because that would be weird) be saved for Monty. He loves when he hears a party, because he knows he's about to be well fed.
Skipper
Skipper is a rescue horse who has been with the Lyons family since 2017. He has 4 white socks — the easiest way to tell the horses apart, just look at their feet!
Prince
Prince is the brother of a horse that Sophie, Matt and Robyn's daughter, used to ride and show. They got him on the day the musician Prince passed away, so his full name is Prince's Purple Rain.