Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/711402
12 / the tasting panel / august 2016 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT W ente Family Estates has announced two exciting new positions at the fifth generation family-owned winery: Amy Hoopes has been promoted to the role of President at Wente Family Estates. In addition to overseeing all global marketing and sales operations, Amy's role will expand to include oversight of hospitality and retail operations. In his 15th vintage with the company, Karl D. Wente will now hold the titles of Chief Operations Officer and Chief Winemaker. His role will expand to include all production, including vineyard management for their estate vineyards. "My family is proud of what we have accomplished over the past 133 years, and we are committed to building the Wente Family Estates legacy for the next five generations," notes Carolyn Wente, Fourth Generation Winegrower and CEO. "These two strategic promotions support our continuing commitment to the company's long-term vision to be one of the most respected wine companies in the world." APPOINTMENTS PHOTO: HARDY WILSON PHOTO COURTESY OF WENTE FAMILY ESTATES Karl Wente. Amy Hoopes. Above Board D uring tastings, TastingBoards hold your wine glass while giving you a flat surface to write down your valu- able comments. Using only U.S. manufacturing companies, the patented board is handmade in Amish country. Through custom- ization, TastingBoards are great for advertising your brands. For more information, you can visit www.tastingboards.com. H PS Epicurean, a third-generation company specializing in the importing and marketing of interna- tional spirits, wines and culinary niche brands, has reacquired the rights to the name Preiss Imports and is excited to announce the relaunch of the name as part of their spirits division, a name that is synonymous with the Preiss family's 55-year business of building brands from scratch. Henry Preiss founded Preiss Imports in 1987, where he developed par- ticular insight into the needs of suppliers, retailers and customers, as well as a keen perception into artisanal bever- age trends. Under Henry's guidance and expertise, Preiss Imports was a well-known company in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, representing 33 suppliers from around the globe and was known for national distribution of iconic brands in the United States, including Darroze Armagnac, Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, Springbank Scotch, Hirsch Bourbon and Chinaco Tequila. In 2008, The Griffin Group bought Preiss Imports, and then, in November 2012, Henry and his daughter Nicole Preiss founded HPS Epicurean—a com- pany dedicated to developing a portfolio that embodies the fusion of culinary arts, spirits and wine. The Preiss family was fortunate enough to take owner- ship of the Preiss Imports name once again in 2016. Today, the "new" Preiss Imports, led by Henry and Nicole Preiss, continues to offer a rich and competi- tive portfolio. Henry continues to build upon his 42-year personal legacy of providing iconic brand-driven products to the U.S. marketplace, including Polugar, Agricanto, Centerba, Bailoni, Lindisfarne, Casa d'Aristi, Mezcal Marca Negra, among others. Preiss Imports will also be adding some new brands to its portfolio this year. Reimagined