Hopland, Calif. — March 7, 2019 — Fetzer Vineyards, a leader in sustainable and organic winegrowing committed to restoring, revitalizing and regenerating ecosystems and communities while producing premium wines, has hired Stephanie Peachey to develop and lead the company’s Fine Wine Division. Peachey will report directly to Fetzer Vineyards CEO Giancarlo Bianchetti and hold the title of Vice President.
In addition to its own fine wine brands, including Sanctuary, The Elysian Collection by Bonterra Organic Vineyards, Fringe Collective, and the estate Biodynamic® vineyard line from Bonterra, Fetzer Vineyards also oversees U.S. marketing and distribution for the fine wine portfolio of its parent company, Viña Concha y Toro, headquartered in Chile. The nation’s largest importer of South American wines, Fetzer Vineyards markets acclaimed selections such as Chile’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, Don Melchor, and the Cono Sur, Marques de Casa Concha, and Terrunyo lines from Chile, as well as the Trivento Golden Reserve collection from Argentina. Under Peachey’s leadership, the Fine Wine Division will give these exceptional wines from California and South America focus and strategic direction to further develop in the U.S.
“We saw the need for a Fine Wine Division following our expansion in South American imports in 2018, and also to address the growing interest among U.S. trade and consumers in the premium and luxury segments of the market,” said Bianchetti. “It was important to find the right executive to steward this portfolio, and in Stephanie Peachey we have a leader with the experience, insight and vision to successfully build Fetzer Vineyards’ presence in the growing fine wine space.”
Peachey comes to Fetzer Vineyards from Kosta Browne winery, a California Pinot Noir purveyor recognized for its remarkable growth and widespread critical acclaim. As Vice President for brand strategy and direct-to consumer marketing for Kosta Browne, Peachey created and executed marketing and sales strategies, including media and trade relations, brand development, and consumer engagement. Prior to her time at Kosta Browne, Peachey was Vice President of direct-to-consumer at Vintage Wine Estates, overseeing the strategic operations and sales for nearly a dozen tasting rooms and DTC brands including Clos Pegase, Cosentino and Swanson Vineyards in Napa Valley, and B.R. Cohn and Viansa in Sonoma Valley.
“It is an honor to join the talented international team from Fetzer Vineyards and Viña Concha y Toro that brings to life the Fine Wine Division portfolio,” said Peachey. “Both organizations have a history of commitment to sustainable practices and developing quality wines for a range of consumer interests, including an impressive portfolio of fine wines.”
Peachey holds an MBA in Wine Business Management from Sonoma State University and a BA in business administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is based in the Healdsburg, California offices of Fetzer Vineyards.
About Fetzer Vineyards
Celebrating over 50 years of acclaimed winegrowing, Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, California. An award-winning purveyor of wines and spirits spanning multiple origins and available in more than 50 countries worldwide, Fetzer Vineyards is a leader in sustainable business practices, organic winegrowing, and craftsmanship in the cellar.
In addition to offerings under the winery’s flagship Fetzer label, the winery also crafts the leading wine from organic grapes, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2016. Other California offerings include Adorada, Anthony’s Hill, Jekel Vineyards, Sanctuary Wines and 1000 Stories, a global leader in crafting Bourbon barrel-aged wines. Part of global winery Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards imports iconic South American wines such as Chile’s most-acclaimed wine, Don Melchor, as well as the Cono Sur, Viña Maipo, Marques de Casa Concha, Casillero del Diablo and Frontera labels from Chile, in addition to Argentina’s Trivento Reserve. Recently, Fetzer Vineyards entered the ultra-luxury wine and spirits category by forging a partnership with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. to sell its historic craft rye whiskey and Bourbon.
