New General Manager and Board Member Named; COO Taking on Expanded Role
July 15th – Santa Ynez, California — Sunstone Winery, Santa Barbara County’s most visited vineyard estate, today announced the addition of Neil Redmond as General Manager and John Price as Director on Sunstone’s Board of Directors. COO Dave Moser will take on the expanded role of Chief Marketing & Operations Officer. These strategic appointments come as Sunstone embarks upon a major expansion including a rooftop tasting lounge in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone.
“It’s an exciting time for Sunstone as we continue to build our lifestyle brand and expand our physical footprint,” says Sunstone CEO, Djamila Cabugos. “With Dave’s continued leadership and the addition of John and Neil’s expertise, I couldn’t be more excited for Sunstone’s future.”
Redmond joins Sunstone from Beckmen Vineyards, where he spent the last 12 years in various roles, including most recently as Tasting Room Sales & Education Manager. As General Manager, Redmond will oversee Sunstone’s robust direct-to-consumer (DTC) and hospitality business, including the county’s busiest tasting room and the world-renowned Sunstone Villa. “Neil’s passion for wine and people is infectious,” says Moser. “We’re excited to have Neil leading our frontline team. His leadership will be instrumental in helping us grow the Sunstone brand and ensuring we continue to offer a world-class customer experience.”
Price is the Founder and Owner of Santa Barbara-based commercial real estate development firm Price Management, which owns the Villas at Olive Mill in Montecito and The Point Market chain of gas stations and car washes. “John is a powerful addition to our team,” says Sunstone President, Teddy Cabugos, “His strategic relationships and diverse business experience will play an invaluable role in Sunstone’s growth plans.”
Moser joined Sunstone in 2018 and has served in various roles, including Chief Operating Officer, General Manager, and Director of Sales & Marketing. A digital marketing expert by trade, Moser spent the first half of his career helping Fortune 500 companies build their businesses online before dedicating the rest of his career to his passion for wine. In his expanded role, Moser will continue to oversee Sunstone’s overall operations while shifting his primary focus toward marketing, growth initiatives, strategic projects, and product development.
In addition to Price, Sunstone’s Board of Directors includes Teddy and Djamila Cabugos, Moser, and Sunstone founder Fred Rice.
About Sunstone Winery
Founded in 1990 as the first organic vineyard in Santa Barbara County, Sunstone Winery is considered to be one of the most visually stunning winery estates in California. Specializing in Bordeaux and Rhone varietals that have achieved ten 90+ ratings in the past year, Sunstone is a destination winery and the most visited tasting room in Santa Barbara County, serving more than 60,000 guests annually. In addition to an expansive lawn and picnic area, and a gorgeous, Provençal-style tasting room with caves, Sunstone is home to the internationally recognized Sunstone Villa, an 8,500 sq. ft. architectural masterpiece reserved for weddings, private events, and photography and film projects. Learn more at www.sunstonewinery.com.
