New Winemaker & Western Division Sales Manager to Support Quality Wines & Future Growth
February 6, 2017 (Ukiah, CA) – Mendocino Wine Company, owners of Parducci® Wine Cellars, Mendocino’s longest running winery, has announced two new key hires to support quality winemaking and sales of their growing wine portfolio.
Winemaker Nichole Birdsall will join Head Winemaker Bob Swain, in crafting award-winning wines including national brands Parducci, True Grit, Paul Dolan Vineyards, Moniker Wine Estates, ZinPhomaniac, Tie-Dye, Jellybean Vineyards, Slices Sangria and Sketchbook.
After earning Bachelor degrees in Enology at California State University Fresno and Nutritional Science from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Nichole embarked on her winemaking career. Over the last 15 years Nichole has worked for well-regarded wineries including Virginia Dare Winery (a Francis Ford Coppola Winery), Treasury Wine Estates, Bronco Wine Company, Leelanau Wine Cellars and Hacienda Wine Cellars.
“We’re excited to have Nichole join us at Mendocino Wine Company,” states Bob Swain. “Her experience, knowledge and skills will allow us to continue our pursuit of crafting the high-quality wines consumers demand. I look forward to working with Nichole and sharing experiences crafting Mendocino County wines.”
“I’ve always loved Ukiah and to now have the opportunity to work and live in this community at such a venerable winery is a dream,” enthuses Birdsall. “On top of all of it I get to work side by side with Bob Swain and learn from such an experienced winemaker.”
Brock Harris joins Mendocino Wine Company as Western Division Sales Manager covering nine western states. Harris, most recently at Guarachi Wine Partners, brings over 14 years of experience in the wine industry gaining experience, training and knowledge from well-regarded companies including Gallo and Independent Distillers.
“It’s a pleasure to work with someone of Brock’s caliber and experience and we look forward to a great future with Brock managing the Western Division sales,” states John Girty, Vice President National Sales.
“Mendocino Wine Company has a great line of well-made wines, and, with the recent addition of the ZinPhomaniac, Tie-Dye, Jellybean and Slices brands, I’m thrilled by the opportunity to grow these wonderful wines in the Western Region,” states Harris.
About Mendocino Wine Company: www.mendocinowineco.com
Mendocino Wine Company is owned and operated by the Thornhill family and based in Ukiah, California. The Thornhill family continues the tradition of making award-winning wines using sustainable wine growing and land use practices. MWC has created an example for how to leave the world a little better than we found it. In recognition of their leadership, the State of California three times (2007, 2009 & 2014) awarded Parducci® Wine Cellars with the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), California’s highest environmental honor.
