SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING COMPANY
Tony M. Bagnulo has been appointed Vice President, On-Premise Marketing. In this newly created hybrid marketing and sales role, he will lead all on-premise programs, management and training as well as analysis and monitoring of the on-premise account universe for the company’s portfolio. Bagnulo has a decade of experience growing... Read More
HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES
Carlos Lozano has been appointed to lead the On-Premise National Account Division. Lozano possesses over 2O years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. His national account background includes managing portfolios for Diageo North America and Pernod Ricard USA. Most recently, he was Director of National Accounts for Monin... Read More
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
Nik Fordham has been appointed Master Distiller. In this position he will oversee production for the brand at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke Mill, Hampshire, England, due to open later this year. As Master Distiller, Fordham will join Ivano Tonutti, the brand’s Master of Botanicals.
DIAGEO-GUINNESS USA
TOM LOONEY is being promoted from Chief Commercial Officer to President. He replaces Sheila Stanziale who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Jeff Ivey, currently Senior VP of Route to Market Strategy, will take Looney’s place.
OBITUARY: Jim Barrett 86
The founder of Napa Valley’s infamous Chateau Montelena passed away on March 14. Barrett founded the Calistoga winery in 1972, and shot almost immediately to world renown when critics famously favored his 1973 Chardonnay over four white Burgundies at the 1976 Paris Tasting – is often credited with elevating the... Read More
OBITUARY: Henri Krug 75
The former president of Maison Krug Champagne, died on Thursday, March 7. He was the fifth generation to oversee the production of the legendary Champagne, along with his younger brother Rémi. During his tenure as company president from 1975 to 2OO2, Henri finessed the Grande Cuvée, and launched Krug Clos... Read More
ORVAL
ANNE-FRANÇOISE PYPAERT will become the Master Brewer at Orval this October. The current Master Brewer, JEAN-MARIE ROCK, will retire and Pypaert, who has worked at the Trappist brewery for 2O some-odd years in their lab checking production quality, will take his place. This is the first time a woman will... Read More
OBITUARY – TRUMAN COX 44
The Master Distiller of Buffalo Trace’s A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Truman Cox passed away on Saturday, February 9, after a short illness. Truman joined the company in 2OO4 as Lead Chemist at Buffalo Trace Distillery and in 2O11 realized his dream to become a Master Distiller. A former member of... Read More
TOP SHELF AWARD
The American Beverage Licensees (ABL) will present Craig Wolf, President and CEO of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), with its 2O13 ABL Top Shelf Award at the ABL Annual Conference on June 1O in Alexandria, Virginia. Wolf has been WSWA’s President and CEO since 2OO6. He was... Read More
MARITIME HEROES AWARD
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and US Sailing have named Donald Backe of Annapolis, Maryland, as the winner of the Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award. Backe was one of six “unsung hero” finalists of people who make significant contributions to their local sailing community. Backe created the Chesapeake Region... Read More