HEALDSBURG, Calif. (February 4, 2019)– Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery announces the appointment of David Mowforth, an employee of 20+ years, as the director of on-premise national accounts, as well as the promotion of Melissa Rush to the director of off-premise national chain accounts.
As the company’s Director of On-Premise National Accounts, Mowforth is responsible for driving business for on-premise accounts, including increasing brand awareness, building long-term relationships and understanding the needs of customers and potential customers.
Mowforth began working at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in 1996 after numerous years of experience in the food and wine industry. Starting as a Northern California sales representative, he gradually advanced to the northwest regional sales manager while developing meaningful relationships with key accounts and distributors. Last year Mowforth oversaw the alignment with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as the vice president of sales of the western division.
“Having a strong working relationship with distributors and key accounts is vital to Ferrari-Carano’s success. It is very easy in this technology-driven world to lose the personal contact,” says Mowforth. “It’s my goal to not allow that to happen.”
In her new role as director of off-premise national chain accounts, Rush looks forward to developing and maintaining relationships with key brands to share Ferrari-Carano wines in major markets.
“Ferrari-Carano was the first winery I ever visited when I started selling wine in 2006. I was in awe of their commitment to excellence, as well as Don and Rhonda’s vision of ‘quality without compromise.’ I will carry that message with me as I continue my journey,” says Rush.
Rush’s involvement in the food and beverage industry started in college while working in restaurants and continued as she transitioned to sales positions with various distributors in the Midwest region. Rush garnered relationships with many restaurateurs, key account managers and retail chain buyers, as well as supplier representatives from wineries throughout the world. These positions brought her to Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in 2012. As regional manager for Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky, Rush proved her expertise in setting goals and establishing relationships with buyers.
“I am thrilled that David and Melissa will be working in areas that they are both so passionate about,” said Jim Boswell, Executive Vice President of National Sales. “David has always had a passion for our on-premise business, and Melissa has a proven track record for off-premise chains. Their talents will be truly appreciated in these new roles. We are fortunate to have them both.”
About Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery:
Founded initially as a small wine farm in 1981 by hospitality-industry pioneers Don and Rhonda Carano, the Ferrari-Carano family of brands now comprises the very best in hospitality, wine and food experiences in California’s North Bay region. The portfolio comprises destination wineries in Sonoma (Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery) and Mendocino (Lazy Creek Vineyards) counties; three wine production facilities; 24 certified-sustainable estate-owned vineyards spanning more than 1,900 acres across three counties; the 78-room Vintners Inn, Vi La Vita Spa, John Ash & Co. Restaurant, River Vine Café and The Front Room Bar & Lounge; and Seasons of the Vineyard Wine Shop in downtown Healdsburg. Ferrari-Carano is one of the region’s leaders, setting the bar for the highest standard in hospitality, wine quality and sustainability.
