The SOMM Journal

February / March 2018

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14 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 { what's news } THE FRENCH AMERICAN Vintners Board of Directors has appointed Rick Bonitati as CEO of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma Valley and Senior Vice President for the Western Opera - tions of French American Vintners. The Western Operations of French American Vintners operates several highly- recognized winemaking facilities in addition to St. Francis Winery, including Sequoia Grove Winery in Napa, Résonance Vine - yards in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and Domaine Carneros (in joint partner- ship with the Taittinger Family) in Carneros. Bonitati's appointment reflects the company's aim to further develop its existing success by regrouping its western assets under one leader. The board also announced that Robert Aldridge has been named Vice President of Finance for the Western Operations French American Vintners in addition to his current role as COO/CFO of St. Francis Winery. Bonitati comes to St. Francis Winery and French American Vintners most recently from Paul Hobbs Wines, where he served as the COO. He has more than 30 years of experience in the fine wine business, includ - ing positions with Jackson Family Wines. French American Vintners is owned by the Kopf family and comprises a number of prestigious wineries and vineyards in France in addition to its California and Oregon holdings, including Maison Louis Jadot, Maison Jean Loron, Domaine Ferret, and Château de Jacques. The Kopf family also owns the importing, sales, and market - ing company Kobrand Corporation. RHONDA CARANO, Co-Founder of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery alongside her late husband Don Carano, has assumed the position of Senior Executive Officer and Manager for the Ferrari-Carano family of brands after Don passed away on October 3, 2017. Since Ferrari-Carano is the shared vision of Don and Rhonda, who co-managed the com - pany since its inception in 1981, the transition to Rhonda's new role will be seamless. "As a team, Don and I shared a dream," Rhonda says. "His insight and visionary approach in the wine industry back in the early 1980s—particularly his love for acquiring special vineyard sites—is the backbone of Ferrari-Carano's philosophy of creating memorable wines from vine to bottle." Rhonda drives Ferrari-Carano's growth strategies and brings to the role 40 years of experi - ence in business management, marketing, advertising, and creative design at Eldorado Resorts Inc.; Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery; Lazy Creek Vineyards; Seasons of the Vineyard Tast- ing Bar and Boutique; Vintners Inn; and John Ash & Co. Restaurant. Rhonda Carano Becomes New Senior Executive Officer and Manager of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Wine A New Order FRENCH AMERICAN VINTNERS APPOINTS RICK BONITATI AS CEO OF ST. FRANCIS WINERY & VINEYARDS Rick Bonitati is the newly-appointed CEO of St. Francis Winery. Bob Aldridge has been named Vice President of Finance for the Western Operations French American Vintners in addition to his current role as COO/CFO of St. Francis Winery. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KOBRAND CORPORATION PHOTO COURTESY OF FERRARI-CARANO VINEYARDS AND WINERY

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