April 12, 2023, Santa Maria, CA – The Miller family is pleased to announce the promotion of Erin Ghigleri from Assistant Vineyard Manager at Bien Nacido Vineyard – one of the most vineyard designated sites in the world – to Grape Sales Manager for Miller Family Wine Company, where she will be managing the grape sales of over 25 different grape varieties from over 2,000 acres of vineyards.
As Grape Sales Manager for Miller Family Wine Company, Ghigleri will build upon her extensive experience in agricultural production and grower relations, handling the development and management of grape client relationships and overseeing grape sales from three esteemed vineyards: Bien Nacido Vineyard – a grape source for more than 80 producers – and Solomon Hills, both in the Santa Maria Valley AVA, as well as French Camp Vineyard, located in the Paso Robles Highlands AVA.
Even before graduating from Washington State University with a B.S. in Integrated Plant Sciences, Ghigleri had spent years gaining experience in the agriculture industry, starting out as a Field Technician and Equipment Operator at a family-owned farm in North Idaho. After graduation she worked on the business side as a Credit Officer, managing 50+ agribusiness and grower contracts valued at $500 million, before getting back in the field as a Food Safety and Quality Program Manager for Pictsweet Farms, where she worked alongside field crews to ensure quality parameters were achieved. In January 2020, Ghigleri joined Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Vineyards as the Agriculture Operations Manager, in charge of managing all vineyard, berry, and tree fruit operations, including overseeing a team of 40 employees and providing exceptional service to grape customers.
Even before graduating from Washington State University with a B.S. in Integrated Plant Sciences, Ghigleri had spent years gaining experience in the agriculture industry, starting out as an Equipment Operator for a family-owned farm in North Idaho. After graduation she worked for the Farm Credit system as a Credit Officer, managing 50+ agribusiness and grower contracts valued at $500 million, before getting back in the field as a Food Safety and Quality Program Manager for Pictsweet Farms, where she worked alongside field crews, processing teams, and distributors to ensure quality parameters were achieved. In January 2020, Ghigleri joined Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Vineyards as the Assistant Vineyard Manager, in charge of managing all vineyard, berry, and tree fruit operations, including providing exceptional service to grape customers.
“Erin brings extensive experience and knowledge of the agriculture industry to Miller Family Wine Company, from production to account management to agricultural regulations,” says Nicholas Miller, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President. “Her proven track record of building successful relationships, coupled with her strong work ethic and clear communication skills, make her a natural fit for this role. We look forward to watching her excel in this new position.”
Miller Family Wine Company
Miller Family Wine Company is a division of the Thornhill Companies – the industry-leading umbrella brand of one of California’s premier winegrowing families, the Miller Family, who have been farming California’s Central Coast for five generations. Miller Family Wine Company includes the prestigious Bien Nacido Estates and acclaimed national branded wine labels such as Butternut, J. Wilkes, optik, Ballard Lane, Smashberry, Barrel Burner, Volunteer, Hand on Heart and Reciprocity wines, in addition to control label brands for prominent retailers across the U.S. and the French Camp vineyard in Paso Robles. For more information on Miller Family Wine Company, please visit www.millerfamilywinecompany.com.
