Third generation Phelps family members, Elizabeth Neuman and Will Phelps, appointed to Joseph Phelps Vineyards Executive Management Team
St. Helena, CA, May 4, 2016—As part of a long-term succession plan implemented by the Phelps family to maintain family ownership and management, Joseph Phelps Vineyards is pleased to announce the promotion of Elizabeth Neuman to Director of Business Development and Will Phelps to Director of Marketing. Members of the family’s third generation, Neuman and Phelps were additionally appointed to the executive management team of Joseph Phelps Vineyards and will participate in all senior management business matters. This appointment of third generation family members to the executive management team is a significant move in a long-term succession plan that began with the involvement of the family’s second generation in 1998, the hiring of a family business advisor in 2012, and the appointment of two independent members to the Board of Directors in 2013.
“Our family is committed to maintaining and nurturing Joseph Phelps Vineyards as a family-owned and run winery. I am thrilled to have Elizabeth and Will assume leadership roles within our family’s wine business,” said Bill Phelps, President of Joseph Phelps Vineyards.
Granddaughter of Joe Phelps, Elizabeth Neuman was the first member of her generation to join the family wine business, beginning in 2011. She joined the winery as a sales representative and received a promotion in 2013 to Regional Sales Manager, representing Joseph Phelps Vineyards in seven markets on the East Coast and Midwest. Neuman graduated from Lehigh University earning a degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining Joseph Phelps, Neuman held the position of Wine Consultant at Southern Wine & Spirits’ fine wine division. She is currently studying for her Executive MBA.
Grandson of Joe Phelps and son of winery President Bill Phelps, Will Phelps was the second member of his generation to join the family wine business, beginning in 2012. He previously held a sales representative position within the company, supporting sales and distribution of Joseph Phelps wines in California. Phelps attended the University of San Diego, earning a degree in Business Administration. He held a Regional Sales Manager position with Trinitas Cellars that included responsibilities in Southern California and the Midwest prior to joining Joseph Phelps. In 2015, he received an Executive Wine MBA from Sonoma State University.
About Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned winery committed to crafting world class, estate-grown wines. Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena, the winery now controls and farms 390 acres of vines in Napa Valley on eight estate vineyards in St. Helena, the Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, Carneros and South Napa. In pursuit of an ideal location to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, in 1999 the Phelps family purchased land near the town of Freestone on the western Sonoma Coast, planted 100 acres of vineyards, and built a dedicated winery. Phelps is best known for its flagship wine, Insignia, a Napa Valley blend of red Bordeaux varieties first produced in 1974. www.josephphelps.com
