Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/898117
12 / the tasting panel / november 2017 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Rick Durette Joins Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits P acific Highway Wines & Spirits recently announced the appoint- ment of Rick Durette as Director of Sales – West. A critical member of the senior sales team, Durette will be overseeing the 11 states in the Western Division, based out of Oceanside, California. The appointment comes at a time of fast growth and development within Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits and follows the recent partner- ship announcement with Alejandro Bulgheroni. It also follows on the heels of Giesen being awarded Impact's "Hot Prospect" recognition for the second year in a row due to strong brand growth. Durette joins Pacific Highway as a seasoned sales leader with multiple years of experience across the industry, from King Estate Winery, Union Wine Company (Underwood Cans), Wilson Daniels, and Jackson Enterprises to earlier roles with California-based distributors Young's Market Company and Mesa Distributing. "Rick's impressive sales background and leadership is critical to our growing business and to fast-tracking the growth of our brands in the Western states. We are pleased to welcome him aboard," says Mark Giordano, President of Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits. Durette added, "I'm thrilled to join the Pacific Highway team and to be working with this beautiful portfolio of very special wines from around the world." PHOTO COURTESY OF PACIFIC HIGHWAY WINES & SPIRITS