Clearlake Oaks, CA (June 24, 2024) – Luxury North Coast wine producer, Brassfield Estate Winery is pleased to announce that it has named industry veteran Steve Starke as its new Division Manager for the Southeast.
Steve brings almost four decades of experience in all tiers of the wine industry.
“We selected Steve based on his unique experience in, distribution and management in the luxury wine space, said Billy Ayer, Vice President/National Sales Manager of Brassfield Estate Winery”. We were very impressed with his broad background and reputation in the industry, 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. His attention to detail, his relationships, service, inclusion, and his access to the best products in the world for top restaurants and retailers, is one of the many reasons we feel he is the best fit.”
As Division Manager, Steve will apply his wealth of knowledge and relationships in the industry to overseeing all the strategic development initiatives and building out a “best in class” East Coast distribution network with strong 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, Steve Starke said: “The Brassfield team has created the perfect canvas for this brand to gain national and global prominence. I was overwhelmed by the attention to detail and the patience this company has exhibited to prepare the High Valley AVA in the North Coast for almost 20 years. I’m very excited 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 on the East coast and being a key part of their team.”
A graduate of The University of South Carolina, Starke began his career in the wine industry in North Carolina and he has distributor background as well as increasing roles of responsibility throughout hiswinery career from Fosters Wine Estates in the early days to most recently serving as Director of National Accounts East for Vintage Wine Estates.
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 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
