Clearlake Oaks, CA (December 13, 2023) – Luxury North Coast wine producer, Brassfield Estate Winery is pleased to announce that it has named industry veteran Chris Baker as its new President along with a focus on sustainable growth and National Distribution.
Chris brings over four decades of experience in all tiers of the wine industry. Along with Chris Baker, Brassfield has added Kristen Mowforth as Northern California Manager and Ashlie DiSanto as Ohio state manager. This strengthens the existing team of Billy Ayer, VP, National Sales Manager, James Parenti, California State Manager and Rose Rafferty, Central Division Manager.
“We selected Chris based on his unique experience in hospitality, distribution, production, and management in the luxury wine space, said Jerry Brassfield, Founder and Owner of Brassfield Estate Winery. “We were very impressed with his broad background and dedication to the customer experience, his understanding of Brassfield Estate Winery’s special place in the industry, and his energy. We feel he’s the perfect fit for our company culture of outreach, service, inclusion, and access to the best products in the world for, top restaurants, retailers, and other buyers.”
As President, Chris will apply his wealth of knowledge in the industry to overseeing all the strategic development initiatives and building out yet another “best in class” sales team with strong lasting distribution partnerships that share the vision of growing Brassfield Estate Winery as a national and international luxury brand known for superior quality wine and a sense of place.
On accepting the role, Chris Baker said: “Jerry Brassfield and his team have created the perfect canvas for this brand to gain national and global prominence. I have been a fan and believer of the potential of wine growing and high-quality wine production of the High Valley AVA in the North Coast for almost 20 years. I’m very excited to come out of retirement and join the dedicated, service-oriented team at Brassfield Estate Winery and I look forward to utilizing my background and experience to direct and grow the operation and being a key part of their management.”
Baker began his career in the hospitality and wine industry in 1979 and he has a background in hospitality management, and executive management at the distributor/wholesale, and winery level as general manager for Empire Distributors of North Carolina, sales manager for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Chief Operating Officer of Shannon Ridge and prior to his retirement, he built the national sales team at Daou Family Estates where he served as Senior Vice President.
About Brassfield Estate Winery
Brassfield Estate Winery is a 100% estate grown, produced and bottled winery located in the prestigious “High Valley” American Viticultural Area in Northern California. From humble beginnings in 1973 as a cattle ranch, Brassfield has grown to encompass over 5,000 acres entirely in the High Valley AVA. Producing 100% estate-bottled wines with approximately 500 sustainably farmed vineyard acres that represent a myriad of microclimates, elevations, and soil profiles. The estate is home to a 1,000-acre wildlife preserve. The original ranch in the High Valley Appellation was one of the first homesteads in Lake County. Learn more at: www.brassfieldestate.com
