SANTA ROSA, Calif. (February 15, 2018) – Benovia Winery, a small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley, is pleased to announce new leadership with Ed Thralls promoted to general manager and Co-Founder Mary Dewane stepping into the new role of vice chairman.
“I am excited about Benovia’s leadership team and the high level of expertise and professionalism they bring to our winery,” said Joe Anderson, co-founder and chairman of Benovia. “Ed has been successful over the last 18 months fueling growth and developing our brand, while Mary was instrumental in developing the original brand experience and will now nurture and augment the customer base.”
Thralls joined Benovia 18 months ago as its director of marketing and business operations, bringing more than 25 years of experience in both wine and financial technology industries to the winery. He has been instrumental in defining and driving Benovia’s consumer-focused business model that has boosted sales and created a world-class customer service reputation. As general manager, Thralls will oversee all sales, marketing, hospitality, finance and business operations for the winery, while Co-Owner and Winemaker Mike Sullivan will continue to oversee winemaking production, operations and farming for the 72 acres of organically or sustainably farmed estate vineyards.
Thralls came to Benovia from Flowers Vineyards & Winery and Huneeus Vintners, where he served four years as the director of consumer sales & marketing. Prior to that position, he served as the digital marketing manager for Vintage Wine Estates, where he developed online retail and media strategies for brands including Girard, Cosentino, Kunde Family Estate, and Windsor Vineyards. Thralls holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Science from the University of Florida, and an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University. He studied winemaking at UC Davis and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW).
As vice chairman, Dewane will be Benovia’s chief brand ambassador, working to advance the Benovia brand. She will also manage and expand the “Benovians,” a uniquely loyal and fast-growing base of customers. She and her husband, Anderson, will also continue to be involved with and support local community organizations. In 2015, they were co-chairs of the 2015 Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction, which raised $4.5 million to support literacy programs in Sonoma County.
Located just east of the famed Russian River, Benovia produces some of the region’s most expressive Pinot Noir – grown on 72 acres of estate vineyards, owned and organically or sustainably farmed by the Benovia team. Benovia is popular with savvy, adventurous Pinot Noir enthusiasts who vie for its limited production, single-vineyard wines.
For more information, please visit www.BenoviaWinery.com
About Benovia Winery
Benovia Winery is a special, small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley that specializes in sustainably farmed, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded by husband and wife team Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson, Benovia was named after Mary and Joe’s fathers, Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson. Similarly, the family’s Martaella vineyard is a tribute to Dewane and Anderson’s mothers, Martha and Eleanor. Benovia owns and farms three distinctly different vineyards so as to present several nuanced wines in its portfolio. The wines are allocated directly to customers and distributed to select restaurants across the country. Tastings at the winery are welcome by appointment.
