SONOMA, Calif., June 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- V2 Wine Group of Sonoma, California is very pleased to announce several significant management positions and the expansion of their sales and marketing teams that will strategically enhance their growing business. These changes take effect immediately.
Three Retail Chain Director positions were created to oversee all national retail chain business; Julie Agrella was hired as Retail Chain Director for the West Division, Brad Bartram has moved from his role as Region Manager to Retail Chain Director for the Central Division and Jim Grace was hired as the Retail Chain Director for the East Division. V2 enhanced its sales team with the addition of Cindy Bock as Region Manager - Southern California, Dan Gorden, as Region Manager - Northwest, Audrey Wood as Region Manager - Great Lakes, and Alex Wright as Region Manager - Colorado & Arizona. In addition to the expansion of the sales team, V2 Wine Group added a new marketing position, hiring Louis Charton as Marketing Coordinator.
Julie Agrella (Retail Chain Director, West Division) - Agrella has been in the Beverage Alcohol Industry for more than 20 years working for industry leaders such as Diageo, Coors Brewing, Treasury Wines Estates, and Young's Market. In this important new position for V2, she will be responsible for all retail chains in the western U.S.
Brad Bartram (Retail Chain Director, Central Division) - Bartram joined V2 in 2015 as a Region Manager with an 18-year background of sales success in the Texas market. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his time with Glazer's chain team overseeing the HEB business making him an ideal fit for the Retail Chain Director position.
Jim Grace (Retail Chain Director, East Division) - Grace is a 19-year veteran of the beverage industry having worked for Diageo, InBev, The Wine Group and most recently Merryvale Family of Wines. He has great experience managing wholesalers and calling on national and regional accounts. He has been involved in the development of brands and the expansion of portfolios with all companies he has been involved.
Cindy Bock (Region Manager, Southern CA) - Bock has been in the Premium Wine, Specialty Spirits and Micro Beer Industries for more than 25 years and her experience includes management positions for Allied Domecq Wines USA, Southcorp/Fosters, and The Hess Collection. Most recently Cindy managed the Merryvale Family of Wines portfolio for the Southwest Region and her knowledge and relationships will enhance her role in this important market.
Dan Gorden (Region Manager, Northwest) - Gorden has over 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the wine business. He began his career working for both Noble and Columbia distributors, then moving to the supplier side of the business working for Winebow Imports and Frederick Wildman & Sons. His knowledge of both sides of the business and the Northwest in particular, make him the perfect fit for the Region Manager position.
Audrey Wood (Region Manager, Great Lakes) - Wood comes to V2 with over 18 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. She previously represented Kenwood Vineyards, TGIC Imports and was the Midwest Sales Manager for J &P Wine Marketing and most recently for Shannon Ridge Family of Wines. Her knowledge of all channels of the business make her well-suited for the Region Manager position.
Alex Wright (Region Manager, CO & AZ) - Wright began his career in the wine business in 2010 when he joined Pernod Ricard in Colorado as a marketing manager. He moved on to Southern Wine & Spirits as a sales consultant and was most recently with Merryvale Family of Wines managing eight states. Alex has great experience within the distributor network and as a supplier.
Louis Charton (Marketing Coordinator) – Charton was most recently at Paul Hobbs Winery where he helped formulate brand strategy, create point of sale and manage social media. He brings great brand acumen and design expertise to this new position for V2, managing social media and web communications, point of sale development and trade marketing.
"This continued build-out of our organization is in line with our long term strategy of creating a world-class Sales & Marketing Company dedicated to family owned wineries," commented Katy Leese, Co-Founder and General Manager of V2. "It makes it possible for discerning consumers across the U.S. to enjoy the results of the passion and work these families have dedicated their lives to."
"Placing Chain Directors into each Division reflects our commitment to this very important and growing channel," added Scott Ericson, Senior VP, National Sales Manager."With the continued premiumization of this channel, all of our brands have terrific opportunities and will benefit from this investment. With this additional focus, we will be able to target specific wines for the appropriate accounts, we will strengthen our relationship with key retail buyers and the Chain Managers in each of our distributors."
V2 Wine Group is a wine producer and provides sales and marketing services to a limited group of family owned wineries. With a wine portfolio that includes Bouchaine Vineyards, Cameron Hughes Wines, Dry Creek Vineyard, La Follette Wines, Lake Sonoma Winery, Lucinda & Millie Wines, Merryvale Family of Wines, Morandé, Quivira Vineyards, Steelhead Vineyards, Toad Hollow Vineyards, Torbreck Vintners, Valley of the Moon Winery and Vindicated Wines. V2 is dedicated to building strong, innovative wine brands in the North American marketplace. Founded in 2010, the company is a partnership between wine industry veterans Dan and Katy Leese and entrepreneur Pete Kight.