Tony Baldini of Hahn Family Wines Named President
December 4, 2018—Santa Lucia Highlands, Calif.—The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans has elected two new officers to the grower and vintner organization’s board of directors. Tony Baldini, president of Hahn Family Wines and former secretary for the organization, has been named the president of the board of directors. Hahn Family Wines owns four vineyard estates, totaling 650 acres, including the winery and tasting room in Soledad, Ca.
Kristen McIntyre, McIntyre Vineyards tasting studio and sales manager, joins the board as secretary. McIntyre also serves on the organization’s annual Sun, Wind & Wine Gala committee.
Baldini takes over as president from Gary Franscioni, a third-generation farmer in the Santa Lucia Highlands and owner of ROAR Wines, Rosella’s and Sierra Mar vineyards and partner in Garys’ and Soberanes vineyards. Franscioni led the organization as president of the board since 2015.
Previously serving board officers re-elected to their roles include Vice President Steve McIntyre, founder of McIntyre Vineyards and his vineyard consulting company Monterey Pacific, and Treasurer Mark Pisoni, vineyard manager for Pisoni Vineyards. Joe Alarid, owner of Tondre Grapefield and Tondre Wines was re-elected to the board of directors for a second three-year term. Dan Lee, president of Morgan Winery, Jason Smith, president of Smith Family Wines and Paraiso Vineyards, and John Peterson of Peterson Vineyards and Mansfield-Dunne Wines continue to serve their terms as directors.
The Santa Lucia Highlands is one of the crown jewels of California viticulture, growing and producing some of the state’s best cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. The appellation encompasses nearly 6,400 planted acres within 51 vineyard properties on the elevated, alluvial terraces of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia mountain range in close proximity to Monterey Bay. The region’s unique winegrowing character was recognized with official American Viticulture Area status in 1991.
Formed in 2005, the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans is an association of vineyard and winery members that grow grapes in the Santa Lucia Highlands or use the appellation’s fruit to craft their vintage releases. Upcoming Santa Lucia Highlands events include a trade-only master class in San Francisco on February 20m appearances at World of Pinot Noir March 1-2, and the annual Sun, Wind & Wine consumer tasting, May 18th at Mer Soleil Winery in Salinas. Visit the region’s online home at www.santaluciahighlands.com or contact info@santaluciahighlands.com for more information.
