New roles reinforce the family’s commitment to building the Wente Family Estates legacy
July 13, 2016 (Livermore, CA) – Wente Family Estates, the oldest continuously-operated family-owned winery in America, announces two strategic promotions in its continuing commitment to the company’s long-term vision to be one of the most respected wine companies in the world.
Amy Hoopes will now take the role of President. As Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer of Wente Family Estates, Hoopes has overseen all global marketing and sales operations for the family-owned wine portfolio. Hoopes’ role will expand to include oversight of hospitality and retail operations, in addition to her current leadership in sales and marketing. Hoopes joined the company in 2007 and has been integral to the company’s success over the past decade.
Karl D. Wente, Fifth Generation Winegrower and Winemaker, will now hold the titles of Chief Operations Officer and Chief Winemaker. In addition to his existing responsibilities with winemaking, Wente’s role will expand to include all of production, including vineyard management for their estate vineyards. Karl D. Wente has been the guiding hand behind the company’s wines for the past decade, and is responsible for the winery’s philosophical and technological evolution during that time. This year (2016) will mark his 15th vintage with the company.
Both Hoopes and Wente will report directly to the Wente Family Estates Chief Executive Officer and Fourth Generation Winegrower, Carolyn Wente.
“The promotions of Amy and Karl are the next step in our journey of continued success and commitment to our vision of being one of the most well-respected, family-owned wineries in the world,” says Carolyn Wente. “Through their efforts and hard work over the past decade, the company has significantly grown in both value and market share. Their hard work has been accompanied by a sustained focus on our core values of Respect, Integrity, Sustainability and Excellence that are important to the success of Wente Family Estates. We are devoted to building the Wente Family Estates legacy for another five generations, and I am excited to work with Amy and Karl in their new leadership roles.”
About Wente Family Estates: Founded in 1883, Wente Family Estates is the oldest continuously-operated family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Wente Vineyards is distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, Wente Vineyards was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing designation, and one of the only wineries to certify every aspect of its business. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and a Top 30 wine company by Wine Business Monthly. The year 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. This year the winery celebrates its 133rd vintage.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations. The property features wine tasting, world-class concerts, award-winning fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
