THE WINE INSTITUTE

DAVID B. KENT, CEO of The Wine Group LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, became Wine Institute Chairman for the 2O11-2O12 fiscal year at Wine Institute’s 77th Annual Meeting of Members held at the Sonoma Mission Inn.  Kent has been Chief Executive Officer of The Wine Group, which operates a dozen wineries in California, New York, Australia and Argentina, since 2OO1.  Prior to joining The Wine Group, Kent spent 2O years with E&J Gallo Winery and Procter & Gamble.  As Wine Institute Chairman, Kent will strive to increase the global competiveness of California wine and continue the emphasis on defeating punitive tax increases and fees.  He supports Wine Institute’s work to promote expanded trade and eliminate trade barriers both here and abroad.  Kent, whose passion for sustainability helped The Wine Group become a global leader in carbon efficiency, low waste/light weight packaging and solar power, is committed to Wine Institute’s work to increase adoption of California’s sustainable winegrowing and winemaking practices. Also elected were: KATHLEEN HEITZ MYERS of Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Helena, First Vice Chairman; CHRIS FEHRNSTROM of Constellation Wines US in San Francisco, Second Vice Chairman; CAROLYN WENTE of Wente Family Estates in Livermore, Treasurer; and GREG COLEMAN of E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto, Secretary.  ROBERT P. (BOBBY) KOCH is President and CEO of Wine Institute.