Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/19027
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Appointments Marty Crane. Pernod Ricard USA announces the promo- tion of Marty Crane, who previously served as PRUSA General Manager, East Division, to Senior VP, Spirits Sales. Crane replaces Jim Evans, who is leaving Pernod Ricard USA to join another company. In his new role, Marty will collaborate with customers across the three-tier system to drive the distribution and sales of the company’s premium portfolio, which includes such leading brands as Absolut, Jameson, Malibu, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Kahlúa and Seagram’s Gin. Reporting to Marty will be the PRUSA Spirits Division General Managers: Shawn Higgins, GM, West; Howard Jeffery, GM, Continental; John Trainer, GM, Control States; Scott Moore, Vice President, National Accounts Off-Premise; Terry Boyer, Director, National Accounts, On-Premise; and Peter Szemenyei, Senior VP, Commercial Planning. Ray Johnson. Sonoma State University named Ray Johnson Director of the school’s Wine Business Institute in August. Esteemed by the industry as a wine educator and author, Johnson is collaborating with SSU Professor Dr. Liz Thach on a new book titled Wine Commerce, which will become part of the curriculum for the Institute’s new online certifi cation program. “As we shape the strategy for our next 15 years, I’ll be meeting with key wine, tourism and regional leaders,” Johnson says. “While the Institute’s breadth is international, we want to be sure that our efforts are supporting the success of our neighbors close to home with relevant research and education for the next wave of wine leadership and entrepreneur- ism.” —Deborah Parker Wong Wilson Daniels Ltd. announces the appoint- ment of Mark Merrion as Senior Vice President, National Sales .Most recently, Mark was the VP of Sales, Western Region for Diageo Château & Estate Wines, a position he started in 2002. “Wilson Daniels is fortunate to be gaining the expertise of such a seasoned expert in the industry, and I am confi dent that Mark will play a signifi cant role in the Company’s continued success,” says Ray Chadwick, Corporate Executive Vice President, Wine for Young’s Market. 14 / the tasting panel / november 2010 Brands O≠ ered for Sale I mporter Tartan Wine & Spirits has gone out of business and is offering some of their brands for sale, includ- ing the Carn Mor whisky range (12-year-old single malts from Islay, Arran, Ben Nevis and Speyside); Columba Cream, a liqueur made from single malt whisky, fresh Scottish cream and honey; Tortuga Rum from the Cayman Islands; Para Mi, a 100% blue agave silver tequila; Don Valente Tequila in all three expressions; and Casado Morales wines from Spain. Contact Fraser@ tartanwineandspirits.com for details. A Makeover for Sequoia Grove A new look for Sequoia Grove is one result of President and Director of Winemaking Michael Trujillo’s progressive agenda to continually enhance the brand’s quality. The long-term evolution that started with the 2002 vintage, when Trujillo took leadership, comes to life with the Sequoia Grove 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, marking this a benchmark year for the winery. The new label is designed to refl ect the heritage of the Rutherford property and hones in on the beauty of the mighty sequoia trees for which the winery is named. At $35, the Sequoia Grove Cab continues to over- deliver on quality for the price point, making the winery a “low risk investment” among top Napa Valley Cabernet producers.