RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, Calif. – July 9, 2020 – Emeritus Vineyards has announced the appointment of industry veteran Jessica “Jessie” Johnson to the role of DTC director. Johnson will oversee an acclaimed DTC and hospitality program that earned Emeritus the honor of being named the “#1 Winery Tour in the USA” by USA Today in 2017. In her new role, Johnson will work closely with the Emeritus leadership team, which includes second-generation President Mari Jones, Winemaker David Lattin, Vineyard Manager Kirk Lokka, and recently appointed National Sales Manager Michael Burton. As the winery’s DTC director, Johnson will manage the Emeritus Tasting Room, wine club, e-commerce, social media and all other direct-to-consumer programs. Founded in 1999 by legendary vintner Brice Cutrer Jones, Emeritus is exclusively dedicated to making estate-grown Pinot Noirs from its Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and an MBA from Humboldt State University, Johnson began her career in wine as a guest services supervisor at Francis Coppola Winery, where she later served as both wine club manager and tasting room manager. Johnson has also held positions as the direct sales and hospitality manager for Dutton-Goldfield Winery, and most recently as the hospitality manager for Gary Farrell Winery.
“I am thrilled to have Jessie in this key position,” says Emeritus President Mari Jones. “She understands that the way we approach our relationships with our customers is a reflection of our values as a small, family-run winery. We are passionate about our focus on Pinot Noir, but we believe in sharing our passion in a way that is personal, authentic and fun. As a result, the relationships we have formed with our members and guests have been an important part of our success. I’ve known Jessie a long time, and her talent and enthusiasm will ensure that the experiences our customers have with Emeritus will get even better.”
ABOUT EMERITUS VINEYARDS
Founded by wine industry icon Brice Cutrer Jones, Emeritus Vineyards is dedicated exclusively to crafting estate-grown Pinot Noirs from its two remarkable estate vineyards: Hallberg Ranch in the Russian River Valley and Pinot Hill in the Sebastopol Hills. Totaling 150 acres of Pinot Noir, both Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill are dry farmed, making Emeritus the largest dry-farmed estate in Sonoma County.
