Following are profiles of the top day-to-day leaders from the Business Journal's lists of the largest independently owned wineries under 100,000 cases, published in March, and the largest wine companies, published in May.
Listed alphabetically by company name.
Tim MatzAccolade Wines349 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg 95448, 707-473-2325, accolade-wines.com
Tim Matz has been managing director for Accolade Wines' North American operations since September. He formerly was president of Foley Family Wines, Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Jackson Wine Estates International and North American operations for Southcorp and Fosters Wine Estates.
Making a major entry into the U.S. wine market, Australia-based Accolade at the beginning of June acquired Sonoma County brands Geyser Peak and XYZin plus Napa Valley-oriented Atlas Peak from Ascentia Wine Estates. Healdsburg-based Ascentia started in mid-2008 with the acquisition of eight brands from Constellation Brands and effectively closed this month with sales of brands to Accolade and E&J Gallo.
Accolade itself formed in January 2011 when a fund managed by CHAMP Private Equity of Australia purchased an 80 percent stake in Constellation Wines Australia and Europe from Constellation Brands for A$290 million. The group produces the major wine brand Hardys from Australia and and owns half of Matthew Clark, a major U.K. drinks wholesaler.Hank WetzelAlexander Valley Vineyards8644 Hwy. 128, Healdsburg 95448, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com
Harry "Hank" Wetzel, proprietor and winemaker, and his wife, Maggie, purchased the property in 1962 from the family of Cyrus Alexander, after whom the valley is named. Their oldest son, Hank IV, launched the winery in 1975. Production last year was 135,000 cases.Mike BenzigerBenziger Family Winery1883 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen 95442, 888-490-2739, benziger.com
General manager, winegrower and Tribute winemaker Mike Benziger and his wife, Mary, co-founded the winery in 1980, and since that time the family business has been a leader in environmentally friendly winegrowing and advocate for Biodynamic farming.
National Resources Defense Council awarded Mr. Benziger its 2010 Growing Green award in the "Water Steward" category, choosing him from 170 industry leaders based on the winery's demonstrated water-efficiency, sustainable water use and the protection of water quality.Jean-Charles BoissetBoisset Family Wines849 Zinfandel Ln., St. Helena 94574; 707-963-6172, boissetfamilyestates.com
Jean-Charles Boisset is president of a Boisset Family Wines, which added the 155-year-old Buena Vista brand to its international portfolio in May 2011 in a purchase from Ascentia Wine Estates.
The company started in 1980 as the U.S. arm of a large French family wine and spirits operation. The U.S. side of portfolio grew with the acquisition of DeLoach in Russian River Valley and Raymond in Rutherford. The parent company is now Burgundy's largest wine company; France's third-largest, making more than 5 million cases annually; and among the biggest in the U.S. producing about 600,000 cases a year.Mike JaegerC. Mondavi & Sons2800 Main St., St. Helena 94574, 707-967-2200, charleskrug.com
Proprietors Peter Mondavi and sons hired 25-year "mature brand" expert Mike Jaeger, also a senior adviser for Bacchus Capital Management, as chief operating officer of C. Mondavi & Sons in May 2011. His alcoholic beverage industry experience started in 1987 with a dozen years in marketing for Joseph E. Seagram & Sons then Trinchero Family Estates, followed by a dozen years in top management at Constellation Brands, Vincor International, Partida Tequila, Wilson Daniels and C. Mondavi & Sons.
The Krug brand started in 1861 and was acquired by Cesare and Rosa Mondavi in 1943. At 1.7 million cases of mass-market CK Mondavi and higher-end Charles Krug produced last year, the company is among the North Coast's largest producers.
Roy CecchettiCecchetti Wine Co.P.O. Box 637, Vineburg 95487, 707-996-7221, cecchettiwineco.com
Co-founder and chief executive officer Roy Cecchetti and his wife, Rachael, started the company in 2007. He was part of the Cecchetti Sebastiani Cellars with brother-in-law Don Sebastiani until 2001.
Sales in 2011 grew from the year before by 31 percent to 268,000 cases, the company's fourth straight year of double-digit growth. Sales this year are expected to grow 38 percent to 370,000 cases. Brand case sales last year were 85,000 for Lake County-oriented Line 39, up 37 percent; 152,000 for Redtree , up 11 percent; and 31,000 for year-old Backhouse.John ClewsClos Du Val5330 Silverado Trail, Napa 94558, 707-261-5200, closduval.com