'Business of Wine' leaders, legends reveal secrets to success in Sonoma State documentaries
Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University has officially rolled out its series of substantial video interviews with key industry leaders in the California North Coast, Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.
The first baker's dozen of the “Business of Wine” series (sbe.sonoma.edu/business-of-wine) has been released since September, and at least six more from the North Coast and global wine regions are in the works, according to the institute, which is part of the university's School of Business and Economics.
With run times of under a half-hour, the films are designed to “offer insight into how industry founders and trailblazers navigated the wine business, including lessons in building successful businesses in an evolving industry, and strategies behind creating and maintaining top wine brands,” the institute announced Feb. 25.
Subjects of the videos range include Mike Grgich, the legendary Napa Valley winemaker whose chardonnay shocked many by winning top prize at the 1976 Judgment of Paris; Allen Shoup, considered to be the father of Washington's wine industry; Mike Benziger, a pioneer in Biodynamic farming for mainstream viticulture; and Joe Wagner, whose rise from cellar work at the family's Caymus Cellars to create popular pinot noir wines.
Coming from a significant wine business school, the videos are "is an investment in the future leaders of the wine industry, by preserving and sharing the demonstrated know-how and mastery of path-breaking leaders,” Karen Thompson, interim school dean.
The series is produced by award winning documentary filmmaker Dennis Scholl and backed by a gift from an institute founding sponsor, Demeter Group, a San Francisco-based investment bank and investor in premium wine, spirits, beer and beauty brands.
