Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/977771
DEPARTMENT HEADER 96 / the tasting panel / may 2018 W ente Family Estates recently celebrated its second annual RISE Awards, which recognize its regional distribution teams from Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits as they aid in the ongoing growth of the Wente portfolio. "Wente Family Estates and SGWS have been partners for decades, working together market by market to grow our portfolio responsibly and sustainably—and that shared focus is what the RISE Awards are all about," says Tyson Overton, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for Wente Family Estates. "R.I.S.E. is the acronym we use in relation to our core values at Wente Family Estates: respect, integrity, sustainability, and excellence. The RISE Award is in recognition of those markets and leadership teams that have highlighted those values in the development of our shared business in the past year." Jody Turnbow, Vice President of Supplier Management for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, adds, "It's an honor to be partners with the Wente family for the 135th anniversary [of Wente Vineyards]. Rarely do you get the opportunity to represent brands from real families that thrive because of their relentless commitment to excellence. The SGWS family congratulates the Wente family on a trailblazing 135 years and is excited about our partnership for the next 135 years!" PHOTO: DAVID TORRENCE Central Region RISE Award Winner: MISSOURI "Another great year for Missouri. The SGWS team delivered double- digit growth in both priority deple- tions and points of distribution. Best of the Midwest by far!" —Kenyon Schmanske, Wente Family Estates, Regional Manager Great Plains Gregory Ledwon, Vice President of Portfolio Management, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits; Scott Dankel, Vice President of Sales Off Premise, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits; Emily Dickson, Portfolio Manager, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits; Scott Westerman, Regional President, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits; Burt Kemp, Vice President of Sales On Premise, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits; Randy Myers, Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits; and Kenyon Schmanske, Regional Manager Great Plains, Wente Family Estates. WENTE FAMILY ESTATES CELEBRATES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHERN GLAZER'S WINE & SPIRITS AT THE SECOND ANNUAL RISE AWARDS by Izzy Watson A Recipe for SUCCESS RISE AWARDS 2018 REGIONAL WINNERS