People

Jean-Francois Bonneté has been appointed Senior Vice President of Spirits, heading up Deutsch’s new spirits division.  The former President-CEO of Mystique Brands LLC and the prior Director of North America for Cognac Ferrand, Bonneté brings more than twelve years of experience in the US spirits industry.

JIMMY BEDFORD, former master distiller of  Jack Daniel’s whiskey, died Friday, August 7.  He was 69.  His body was found outside a barn at his farm in Lynchburg. The apparent cause was a heart attack. Bedford started at the distillery in 1968 and worked in the yeasting, fermenting, milling and... Read More

as its CFO with responsibility for the United States Canada and Mexico.  In this role he will participate as a member of the Executive Team for North America.  Wall joins the company from Diageo where he worked since 1995, most recently as Senior Vice President – US Spirits and National... Read More

has been elected Wine Institute Chairman for the 2OO9 to 2O1O fiscal year at Wine Institute’s 75th Commemorative Annual Meeting of Members.  Also elected were TOM KLEIN of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg First Vice Chairman; DAVID KENT of the Wine Group headquartered in San Francisco, Second Vice Chairman; KATHLEEN... Read More

retired on July 15.  Chuck’s career in the beverage alcohol industry spanned 38 years starting in 1971 with the E&J Gallo Winery.  He joined Remy Cointreau New York in 1991 as Executive Vice President of Sales and in 1999 joined Pernod Ricard as Senior Vice President of Sales for the... Read More

as Vice President of the Coors family of brands.  Gomez will be responsible for overseeing the overall brand strategy and positioning for Coors Light and Coors Banquet.  Gomez comes to MillerCoors from PepsiCo Inc. where he most recently served as Vice President of Marketing for waters, enhanced waters and juices. ... Read More

St. Supery winery’s first and only CEO Michaela Rodeno, is retiring.  President Emma Swain, who joined the winery in March as part of this succession plan, will take over as chief.  Michaela will remain the only non-family member of the board of directors and will do US and international ambassador... Read More

Brown-Forman has named Mike Keyes President of its North American region operations.  Keyes who has worked for Brown-Forman since 1991, most recently served as Managing Director of the North American region.  He also has worked for Brown-Forman’s Korbel California Champagnes and Jack Daniel’s brands.

Constellation Brands has announced that Andy Berk a member of the Executive Management Committee and President and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Services, will retire effective May 31.  As part of the transition, Berk will stay on as a consultant for one year, and will continue to serve on Crown... Read More

Diageo North America has appointed Mark Hubler as President over the US control states.  In this position Hubler will oversee the GMs for the West, Central, Northeast, and Southeast control states.  He will also serve as liaison to the NABCA on behalf of Diageo and as a member of the... Read More