August 9 – Seattle/Walla Walla: Charles Smith Wines has brought on Monica Buntha, Seattle-based wine marketing expert, to serve at their Director of Marketing & Communications starting August 4th, 2016. Buntha will oversee marketing efforts, external events and public relations for Washington’s largest winemaker-owned winery to continue to broaden awareness for the award-winning global wine brand.
Buntha is a veteran sales and marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the beverage industry and most recently spent four years at the Washington State Wine Commission as a Marketing Manager, where she was lead on Taste Washington Wine Month, Washington State Wine Month, target market campaigns, trade outreach and other local and national marketing campaigns and initiatives. At Charles Smith Wines, Buntha will lend her creativity to the brand to expand the company’s visibility through unique marketing experiences.
Prior to Washington Wine Commission she held positions as Marketing Specialist, Program Manager and Private Events and Marketing Manager for various beverage suppliers, marketing agencies and a local restaurant group.
About Charles Smith Wines
Charles Smith Wines includes K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines, ViNO, Secco Italian Bubbles, SIXTO, Wines of Substance, Casa Smith and one-half of Charles & Charles. With 44 wines sold in all 50 states and 20 countries, Charles Smith Wines is the largest winemaker-owned winery in Washington State and third largest winery overall in Washington state. Charles Smith Wines was formed in 2006 and the brand has grown to sell more than 750,000 cases a year, reaching almost 55,000 people a day or 20 million people a year. Started in Walla Walla, Washington, the brand expanded in 2015 with the opening of Charles Smith Wines Jet City, the largest urban winery on the west coast located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. Charles Smith, owner and winemaker, earned the distinction of 2014 Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year. He has also earned global acclaim being named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food & Wine in 2009, and by Seattle magazine in 2010 and is the only person to have won “Winemaker of the Year” by both Food & Wine and Wine Enthusiast. Charles Smith has received 85 scores of 95 points and above, and more than 350 scores of 90 points and above, from the leading wine publications (Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits). For more information visit www.charlessmithwines.com.
