New Board Poised to Start Next Term on April 1, 2018
Healdsburg, CA, March 30, 2018—Wine Road, Northern Sonoma County recently held its annual Board of Directors election and is slated to welcome two new faces to the Board, while saying goodbye – for now – to two of its most active Board members.
Thomas Schwarting, Hotel Manager at Farmhouse Inn, was elected from a pool of three candidates as Wine Road’s newest lodging representative. Schwarting, who is fairly new to the area, wanted to join the Board to network and connect with other like-minded individuals in supporting and driving more tourism to Sonoma County. He replaces long time Board member Aaron Krug of Dry Creek Inn who has served two consecutive terms and cannot run again this year.
Also joining the Board as a winery representative is Chris Lynch, co-owner of Mutt Lynch Winery in Windsor. Lynch who has had a 30-year career in the wine business, focused on strategic planning, marketing/sales, direct to consumer (DTC) and winery management, feels that Wine Road plays a key role in the development of his winery’s DTC business. To that end, he felt by joining the Board of Directors his background and experience could add value to the organization, particularly in marketing. Lynch replaces Robert Conard of Dry Creek Vineyard.
In addition to the two new members, current Board member Julia Lander, Director of Hospitality at Moshin Vineyards was elected to another three-year term. Lander decided to run for another term as she has found that serving on the Wine Road Board over the past several years has kept herself, her winery and her winery cohorts up to date on what’s happening and presents a great opportunity for her to exchange ideas with other members who face similar challenges.
The Wine Road Board of Directors is comprised of ten winery representatives and three lodging representatives that serve three-year terms beginning in April of each year. Remaining on the Wine Road Board for the next year are Carla Jeffries of Blue Rock Winery; John Viszlay of Viszlay Vineyards; Stacy Rafanelli-DuBois of A. Rafanelli Winery; Carrie Holdredge of Holdredge Winery; Joe Foppoli of Christopher Creek Winery; Thomas Debiase of Foley Family Wines; Ross Clendenen of J. Rickards Winery; Devin Ruddick of Hook & Ladder Winery; Jennifer Lamarre of Fern Grove Cottages and Mike Salinas of Geyserville Inn.
ABOUT WINE ROAD NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY:
The Wine Road is a travel resource for those looking to visit the region, which is famous for its renowned wine producers and cuisine, scenic beauty, and wine country lifestyle. The association hosts three celebrated wine events throughout the year, “Winter WINEland” in January; “Barrel Tasting” in March; and “Wine and Food Affair” in November. Made up of 200 wineries and 54 lodgings throughout the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys in Sonoma County, something is always going on along the Wine Road. To plan your next trip, please visit: www.wineroad.com. For additional information, or to request a free map, call 800.723.6336 or via e-mail at info@wineroad.com, or visit the Wine Road on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
