1/23/2013 - St. Helena, CA--The positive economic impact of the Napa Valley wine industry, leadership in land stewardship initiatives, the celebration of $110 million in Auction Napa Valley giving and landmark Napa Valley name protection status granted by China were among the 2012 accomplishments cited during the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) Annual Membership Meeting yesterday, as the organization looked to 2013 with the appointment of its Board of Directors members.
Two industry leaders addressed the group: Rob McMillan, Senior Vice President of Silicon Valley Bank (Wine Division) spoke of Napa Valley's predominance in the direct-to-consumer sector sales and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, founder and chairman of JOYUS, presented on emerging trends in e-commerce, including the power of telling compelling stories through video.
The NVV then moved on to its future in announcing its 2013 Board of Directors. Heading the NVV's board as president will be Bruce Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars, along with Vice-President Russ Weiss of Silverado Vineyards, Secretary Janet Viader of Viader Vineyard and Winery and Treasurer Eric Sklar of Alpha Omega.
Also serving on the Board are Susan Boswell of Chateau Boswell Winery; David Duncan of Silver Oak Cellars/Twomey Cellars; Michael Honig of Honig Vineyard & Winery; Paul Leary of Blackbird Vineyards; Doug Shafer of Shafer Vineyards; Emma Swain of St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery, and Bob Torres of Trinchero Napa Valley/Napa Cellars.
With land use issues, the protection of the Napa Valley name in foreign markets and the expansion of NVV marketing efforts in those foreign markets as key objectives in 2013, Cakebread's expertise and leadership in these areas make him an invaluable asset. "I am very honored to serve as president of the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Vintners for 2013," notes Cakebread. "I look forward to working again with our nearly 450 member wineries to preserve and enhance Napa Valley for future generations and to have Napa Valley recognized as the leading wine region worldwide."
As president and chief operating officer of Cakebread Cellars, Bruce Cakebread is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the winery, the Cakebread family vineyards and all grower relations. He has served in numerous leadership positions at the NVV, including board president and chair of the Industry Issues Committee. Cakebread and his family also chaired Auction Napa Valley in 2006.
The NVV board also serves as the Board of Directors for Auction Napa Valley, which additionally includes community members Dave Meyers, serving as secretary, and Ed Matovich.
To learn more about 2012 highlights from the NVV's Annual Membership Meeting:
Contact: Cate Conniff, Communications Manager 707-968-4229 cconniff@napavintners.com
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