Seasoned Professional Adds DTC and Sales Expertise to Bacchus Capital Portfolio
Dundee, Oregon and San Francisco, July 21, 2015 – Bacchus Capital Management has appointed Christopher Pappe President of Panther Creek Cellars, COO of Madrigal Family Winery and Senior Advisor at Bacchus Capital Management. For Panther Creek and Madrigal, Christopher is responsible for the establishment and implementation of strategic, financial and sales planning as well as Direct to Consumer business, including tasting rooms, wine clubs and events. Christopher will work with Bacchus Wineworks for the national sales and marketing of the two brands.
Christopher brings over 30 years of executive level experience in premium wine sales and marketing. He started his career in the luxury hotel business, managing Donatello in San Francisco and The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. After a year sabbatical in Italy honing his culinary skills and studying Italian at Johns Hopkins University in Bologna, Christopher embarked on a career in wine importing, and national supply side management in New York City with Winebow, Inc., and as National Sale Manager with Stacole Fine Wines, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, and Jackson Family’s Cardinale Estate in St. Helena.
For the past five years, Christopher has held the position of Vice President and General Manager of Chatterbox Wine Marketing, a start-up business in Napa, specializing in Direct to Consumer, relationship marketing.
“Christopher’s wide-ranging skills, experience, and professionalism in developing best practices in hospitality, customer service, and national sales will be a tremendous asset to the Bacchus portfolio,” commented Sam Bronfman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bacchus Capital.
“Our brands and our company as a whole continue to find creative, business-building solutions and people. Adding talented pros like Christopher is an integral part of our model,” noted Peter Kaufman, Bacchus Co-Founder and Managing Partner.
“Working with Panther Creek, one of Oregon’s legendary wine brands, as well as Madrigal, a pioneer in Calistoga, and the team at Bacchus is an exceptionally exciting opportunity. I look forward to a very bright future,” added Christopher.
About Panther Creek Cellars
Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Panther Creek Cellars has been producing signature Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines since 1986. Founded by the renowned winemaker Ken Wright, Panther Creek has been recognized for its signature blends as well as single vineyard designate wines. The winery has been credited by Robert Parker as “producing some of Oregon’s most concentrated and age worthy wines.” From 2013 onward, the Panther Creek wines have been made by the highly acclaimed Tony Rynders.
Panther Creek is a portfolio company of Bacchus Capital Management.
For more information, visit www.panthercreekcellars.com
About Madrigal Family Winery
Located on Highway 29, halfway between Calistoga and St. Helena in the renowned Napa Valley, the Madrigal Family Winery continues the family tradition of viticultural leadership and wine production. Since the 1930s, the family has been building its reputation and earning recognition for their vineyard management program as well as their wines. Situated on 40 acres of estate vineyards, the state of the art Madrigal Winery specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, and small lots of single vineyard and estate wines. Today, Madrigal Family Winery is run by Chris Madrigal, the family’s 3rd generation.
Madrigal Family Winery is a portfolio company of Bacchus Capital Management.
For more information, visit www.madrigalfamilywinery.com
About Bacchus Capital Management
Bacchus Capital Management is an investment firm providing strategic capital and making equity investments in United States wineries and wine businesses.
Current Bacchus portfolio companies are: DeLille Cellars, Madrigal Family Winery, Maritime Wine Trading Collective, Panther Creek Cellars, Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dobbes Family Estate / Wine by Joe.
Prior Bacchus portfolio companies are Andretti Winery, Cameron Hughes Wine, and Qupé.
For more information, visit www.bacchuswinefund.com
