9/26/2009 - St Helena, CA--the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association of more than 350 member wineries from the legendary American winegrowing region announces its new initiatives to promote the region to the ever-important Japanese export market. Long part of the NVV's bi-annual Asian marketing missions, the effort is being enhanced to include the appointment of a dedicated NVV agent in Tokyo.
In the market, and based in Tokyo, the NVV has hired Jan Nelson, as a year-round representative to promote the region. Mr. Nelson moved to Japan in 1998 following his graduation from McGill University to work as a coordinator for international relations. He entered the wine industry in Tokyo in 2002 as the consumer and events manager at Pacific Northwest wine specialist Orca International. During his seven years at Orca, he built a successful consumer and events program that catered to a 3500 member list of wine lovers, hosting monthly wine events, private tastings, and wine consulting services, as well as an extensive online sales program.
Bruce Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars and chair of the NVV's Marketing and Promotions committee said, "We are thrilled to have Jan on board to guide our efforts in Japan. Though many of our brands have been in the Japanese market for decades, the wine culture has evolved and it makes excellent sense for our appellation to have a more targeted relationship with this wine savvy region."
In 2006, Jan was appointed the Washington Wine Commission's Japan representative, and successfully executed Taste Washington Japan events, the annual Washington Wine Month restaurant and retail promotion, as well as several trade missions and press tours of Washington.
Jan's experience in the wine industry, his connections in the Japanese wine community and his track record in event management will make for a welcome addition to the Napa Valley Vintners' team.
In online marketing, an even more extensive and educational Japanese language website goes live on September 17. The website, when originally launched was one of the first in the wine industry to offer content in Japanese. The updated site will better engage wine trade and media as well as consumers at www.napawine.jp and also accessible via the homepage at www.napavintners.com, the association's English language website that attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year.
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. The organization celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents more than 350 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about our region and its legendary American wines, visit www.napavintners.com.
Contacts:
Jan Nelson
NVV Japan office
jnelson@napavintners.com
Terry Hall
NVV Communications Director
thall@napavintners.com
direct 707.968.4217
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
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