Napa, Calif., June 9, 2021— Ackerman Family Vineyards has promoted Kristie Fondario to General Manager overseeing both the family’s Coombsville estate vineyard, wine business, and the Ackerman Heritage House in Downtown Napa.
In her new role, she takes over strategic and long-term planning, wholesale and consumer sales and marketing, vineyards and production oversight for Ackerman Family Vineyards wines as well as all events, partnerships at “The Aviary” tasting salon and Ackerman Heritage House, a restored Queen Ann Victorian home in downtown Napa owned by proprietor Lauren Ackerman. Fondario will work closely with Proprietor Lauren Ackerman, Winemaker Leo Tellez, a team of consulting chefs, destination management and event partners across the Bay Area, and wine distributors and accounts across the United States.
“Kristie has helped us achieve our vision to combine our family-owned estate vineyard and wine company with an incredible venue to showcase world-class hospitality, top chef-driven seasonal cuisine and wine experiences, and a space for intimate, customized gatherings and conversation at the Ackerman Heritage House and The Aviary,” said proprietor Lauren Ackerman.
Fondario joined Ackerman Family Vineyards in 2016 as brand manager. Prior to Ackerman Family Vineyards, she worked with Sojourn Cellars in Sonoma in direct-to-consumer sales and partnerships and Director of Sales of a start-up winery in the Finger Lakes region in NY. She graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with degrees in both Hospitality and Service Management and Business Management.
“The opportunity to serve, lead and create something so unique and special at Ackerman Family Vineyards and the Ackerman Heritage House combines my education, training and the heart and soul of what I love—it’s truly my dream job,” says Fondario.
Ackerman Family Vineyards wines are distributed in select markets nationally and available for tasting at The Aviary, a restored carriage house at the Ackerman Heritage House in downtown Napa. The Ackerman Heritage House and The Aviary tasting salon have resumed tastings by reservation and events including monthly Afternoon Tea and customized private wine and food experiences, following all covid-19 safety protocols and state and city guidelines. The Aviary and The Ackerman Heritage House is located in Downtown Napa’s historic Victorian district at 608 Randolph Street, Napa, Calif., and http://www.
