Mendocino County, CA: Fetzer Vineyards hired Taylor Johnsen as the senior brand manager for Bonterra and 1000 Stories.
In this newly created position, Johnsen will be responsible for the planning and marketing of 1000 Stories, one of Fetzer Vineyards’ most successful brands, as well as contribute to direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives for Bonterra. Johnsen joins Fetzer from E&J Gallo Winery.
Sonoma, CA: Westwood Estate Wines named Victoria Ash national sales manager. Ash will lead an expanding group of luxury trade partners who present Westwood’s notable wines, including their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rhone varieties, which are primarily from the Annadel Gap, a biodynamically certified vineyard in the northern Sonoma Valley. She holds a Level One Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Salinas, CA: Scheid Family Wines (SFW) promoted Dave Nagengast to vice president of winemaking. Nagengast has been the company’s director of winemaking since 2006. He will also direct the winemaking for all SFW’s wineries and brands including Scheid Vineyards, Metz Road, District 7, Stokes’ Ghost, VDR, Ranch 32, Ryder Estate and GIFFT.
St. Helena, CA: Ami Iadarola has been promoted to vice president and chief financial officer at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Iadarola will assume overall financial responsibility for the Joseph Phelps Vineyards Napa Valley, the Sonoma Coast winery and vineyard properties. A member of the Phelps team for 20 years, she also joins the winery’s executive management team.
New York: William Grant & Sons announced that Sebastien Derbomez is the new U.S. national ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin. Derbomez will be responsible for bringing the Hendrick’s Gin brand world to life and directly engage with consumers, media and the trade.
Miami, FL: Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, North America’s largest wine and spirits distributor, said John Wittig will become the new chief transformation officer, effective July 1. Wittig will be responsible for identifying and executing opportunities for growth within Southern Glazer’s existing business units and in yet-untapped markets and product segments. Wittig had been Southern Glazer’s East Region president.