Demeine Estates Welcomes Dynamic Industry Leader, Wine Innovator, and Diversity Advocate
Napa Valley, CA (May 20, 2021) — Demeine Estates, a Napa Valley-based négociant of fine wines, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philana Bouvier as President. Bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in the wine industry and forward-thinking leadership, Bouvier will be responsible for overseeing all brands and distribution channels within Demeine Estates. Founded by the Lawrence Family and Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr., Demeine Estates serves and supports a dynamic and growing portfolio of historic, legacy wineries that share the common goal of producing the most expressive, highest quality wines with a focus on sustainability.
Bouvier earned a reputation as a trailblazing, inspiring, and engaging leader in the wholesale community, building upon and innovating within that segment of the industry. Throughout her career, Bouvier has held several leadership positions that include leading the new business development at Young’s Market Company—now known as Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC)—for prospect management and new supplier engagement. Bouvier served as Executive Vice President, General Manager for Young’s Hawaii where she was the first non-family, female executive for a major United States alcohol distributor. Her most recent role was as Vice President of Fine Wine, Supplier Business Development at RNDC.
“I am so pleased to join this powerful and growing team at Demeine Estates. Together we will build upon Carlton McCoy, Jr.’s incredible vision to cultivate a portfolio of wineries that are truly authentic, historic, and quality-driven. We will champion the world’s greatest wine regions, propel and make them accessible to future generations,” says Bouvier. “Our goal is to elevate and shine a spotlight on wineries that are sustainable, transparent, and inclusive. We are dedicating our sales and marketing team to highlight the extraordinary winemakers, estate directors, and farmers that inspire our consumer to drink more conscientiously and enjoy life.”
The Demeine Estates portfolio currently includes Heitz Cellar, Burgess Cellars, Brendel, Stony Hill Vineyard, Haynes Vineyard, Ink Grade (set to launch in Fall 2021), and a soon-to-be announced boutique Champagne. Working alongside Managing Partner and Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr., Bouvier will be responsible for overseeing wholesale distribution, sales, and marketing for each of their growing producers. Under her leadership, Bouvier will also implement new innovative wine offerings that will resonate with consumers across all levels of the business, including all retail, e-commerce, and on-premise channels. She will also bring her strategic approach and marketing savvy to expanding Demeine Estates’ portfolio with additional domestic and international producers.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Philana as the President of the entire Demeine Estates portfolio,” says McCoy, Managing Partner of Demeine Estates. “With her extensive industry insight, dedicated work ethic, and commitment to innovation and diversity within the wine industry, we are confident she will lead with tenacity and be a driving force in pursuit of Demeine Estates’ vision.”
A recognized industry leader and champion of diversity and women, Bouvier is excited to continue her commitment to inclusion in the wine and spirits industry as President of Demeine Estates. In 2019, she was awarded Sevenfifty Daily’s, Drink Innovator of the Year for her work in spearheading efforts to increase the number of women in wholesale executive positions.
Throughout her career, Bouvier saw a lack of career resources for women and made it her mission to use her leadership to not only create a path for women, but a movement to foster empowerment and elevate the role of women in the industry. Due to her passionate and unwavering dedication in supporting women in leadership wholesale positions, Bouvier served as both Chair and Vice Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), and one of the founding members of the Advisory Board.
Bouvier is also Co-Founder of Be the Change, with the mission to create a diverse beverage industry through facilitating job placement with companies committed to real change and measurable results through diversity and equity training, and long-term policy.
About Demeine Estates
Demeine Estates is a Napa Valley-based négociant of fine wines created by the Lawrence family, owners of Napa Valley’s iconic Heitz Cellar, and Heitz Cellar Managing Partner and Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr. Demeine Estates encourages partnerships so that wineries can focus their efforts on continuing high-quality viticulture and wine production, while exploring innovative and sustainable winemaking and farming practices. The collective was established as a resource to add value to their trading partners in the winemaking community with a deep-rooted respect and passion for connecting people to an inclusive philosophy. For more information on Demeine Estates, please visit www.demeineestates.com.
