Bank of the West hires three for its wine group

NAPA – Bank of the West has hired Robin Wenzel, Jason Grace and Marisa Montanez for the Premium Wine Group based in Napa, nearly doubling the group in size.

With more than $600 million in wine industry assets, the bank is growing and has added the new staff to meet demand.

“We have been growing steadily,” said Senior Vice President Adam Beak, who leads the Premium Wine group. “We’re pleased to have attracted three seasoned wine industry bankers who can help Bank of the West grow further and provide expertise and service for our client base.”

Ms. Wenzel, vice president and senior relationship manager, joins the bank from Citibank, where she founded and developed a vineyard and winery practice in 2007.  She was previously a senior wine banker for Silicon Valley Bank in St. Helena.

Mr. Grace, vice president and relationship manager, co-founded the winery practice of Umpqua Bank in 2007 and was previously a wine banker for Silicon Valley Bank.

Ms. Montanez joins the group as a credit officer. She was a relationship manager with Silicon Valley Bank in Napa since 2004. She worked at Beringer Wine Estates for six years previously.

All three are based at the bank’s North Coast Agribusiness Banking offices at 3316 Jefferson St. in Napa.

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