Bodega Garzon General Manager Exemplifies Leadership
Garzon, Uruguay September 14, 2023 – Christian Wylie, General Manager of Bodega Garzon has been nominated for Wine Enthusiast’s ‘Wine Executive of the Year’ in the 2023 Wine Star Awards. This honor recognizes and celebrates the innovation of the individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the success of the wine and alcohol beverage world.
Bodega Garzon, groundbreaking luxury winery from Uruguay, has grown significantly under the leadership of Christian Wylie. Based in Garzon, Wylie is responsible for the winery and all aspects of its operations – production, winemaking, viticulture, marketing, sales management, hospitality, and tourism activities. As General Manager, Wylie brings nearly twenty years of wine industry experience and executive business management skills.
Over the past 8 years, Christian has led the growth of Bodega Garzon from early 25,000 9L case production to today’s 150,000 cs 9L. Garzon is sold in 56 countries, with the largest export markets being USA and Brazil. His sales leadership has secured brand success through trade education, industry discovery, and consumer demand.
Wylie has worked tirelessly around the globe to share the excitement for Uruguay and the fine wine proposition of Bodega Garzon. He has led the Garzon team on a mission to set the bar for a new luxury project and has in turn led the way for the entire Uruguay wine category to be developed for international markets.
Under Wylie’s leadership, Garzon has achieved multiple successes across its portfolio. At the highest luxury tier, Garzon’s icon wine, Balasto, is the only wine from Uruguay sold via Le Place de Bordeaux negociants. First sold via Le Place with its inaugural 2015 vintage, it was only one of three wines from South America considered part of this luxury, established wine trade at that time.
At the approachable $20 price point, Wylie has driven growth and consumer demand for the winery’s offering of ‘accessible luxury’ at the Reserve tier. Garzon’s Reserve Tannat is the most widely exported wine from Uruguay and is the #1 imported wine from Uruguay in the USA. It has set the benchmark for a country and introduced the world to a fresh, modern approach to a classic variety.
Garzon’s dedication to Albarino is also renowned. It is the largest producer of this variety across both South and North America. Garzon Reserve Albarino is the #2 imported wine from Uruguay in the USA (after Garzon Reserve Tannat). It is the #6 best-selling Albarino in the USA.
With an eye to the future, Wylie led the launch of the small production, exploratory Petit Clos tier, demonstrating the evolution of the Garzon vineyard and highlighting the most exciting blocks for select varieties. It’s a showcase and a playground for the ongoing pristine quality of the fruit and resulting ultra-luxury quality of the wines.
Christian Wylis is on a short list of honorable nominees for Wine Executive of the Year. Together with over a dozen Wine Star Award categories, the Award winners will be announced on October 12, 2023 by Wine Enthusiast.
