Third Cakebread elected Napa Valley Vintners board president

Thursday, February 11, 2010, 4:44 pm

Bruce Cakebread

ST. HELENA — Napa Valley Vintners elected Bruce Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars as president of the trade association’s board of directors in 2010.

Mr. Cakebread, president and chief operating officer of his family’s Rutherford winery, is the third Cakebread to serve in that association post, preceded by his father, Jack, in 1990 and brother Dennis in 1997.

“Now more than ever, the strength of our association is vital to our members’ success as we navigate this current, uncertain wine market,” Bruce Cakebread said. “Whether it’s providing marketing opportunities for wineries to promote their wines or offering invaluable workshops on topics as diverse as finance or direct-to-consumer sales, to sustainable farming practices — the Napa Valley will continue to be a leader based on the unity of our membership.”

He replaces outgoing board president Paula Kornell of Oakville Ranch Winery.

New board officers this year are Kathleen Heitz Myers of Heitz Wine Cellars as vice president, Jeff McBride of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellar as secretary and Rick Jones of Jones Family Vineyards as chief financial officer.

Other directors are Ray Chadwick of Duckhorn Wine Co., Cyril Chappellet of Chappellet Winery and Vineyard, Stephen Corley of Monticello Vineyards, Ed Matovcik of Beringer Vineyards, Doug Shafer of Shafer Vineyards, Pat Stotesbery of Ladera Vineyards and Bob Torres of Trinchero Napa Valley.

The association turns 66 this year and has 375 members.