Employees promoted to enhance the winery’s focus on hospitality, experience, and marketing strategies
Livermore Valley, CA (Oct. 23, 2023) – Wente Family Estates, America’s longest, continuously family-owned and operated winery, announced the additions of longtime wine industry veterans, Brian Allard, and Andrew Bradbury. Allard has been hired as Executive Director, DTC and Customer Experience and Bradbury as Director of Customer Experience and Sales.
In his new position, Brian Allard will oversee all aspects of the Wente Vineyards Tasting Lounge and wine club, while managing the recently announced culinary partnership with Levy, the industry leader in creating incredible dining and hospitality experiences at world-class entertainment and cultural institutions. Brian brings more than 20 years of impactful executive level business management experience to Wente Family Estates, as well as a strong knowledge of winery direct-to-consumer from his time leading those efforts at both Bouchaine Vineyards in Napa and in his duties as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing and at V. Sattui Winery in Saint Helena, CA. where he was the Tasting Room Manager.
Additionally, Andrew Bradbury has been hired as Director of Customer Experience and Sales, overseeing the tasting rooms and club businesses across the Wente Family Estates portfolio. Andrew’s duties will be to align with key business partners, grow sales and membership levels while elevating the guest experience at both the Wente Vineyards Tasting Lounge and Murrieta’s Well Tasting Room. Andrew brings extensive strategic experience in wine as a Master Sommelier candidate and a James Beard Award winner. Andrew’s career has touched many points throughout the hospitality, food, and wine industries, from senior-level roles at Mandalay Bay Resort Group in Las Vegas, wine retailing concepts in New York City and Hong Kong, as well as managing the global beverage program for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants globally.
“We are excited to welcome aboard Brian Allard and Andrew Bradbury, two wine and hospitality industry veterans who will create and execute programming to elevate the direct-to-consumer initiatives and the onsite tasting rooms customer experiences,” said Aly Wente, Fifth Generation Winegrower and VP of Marketing and Customer Experiences. “As Wente Vineyards embarks on the next 140 years, we are confident that both Brian and Andrew have the proven experience to navigate the myriad of initiatives that will help take us to the next level of hospitality.”
In addition, Tina Coe has been promoted to DTC Marketing Operations Manager and will support Brian and Andrew on strategic programs that drive the tasting room and wine club businesses. Tina will also oversee the concierge department, ensuring customer feedback is gathered and implemented into the winery’s experience and marketing strategies. Her duties will include leading strategic initiatives such as texting campaigns, loyalty program development, wine ambassadors, brand marketing leaders, the digital team, and operations.
Ann Ogden has been elevated to the role of Director of Catering and Events and is the first to join the new Wente Family Estates leadership team that will be partnering with Levy. Ann will oversee the strategic buildout of internal events and the catering division, enabling guests to experience wines and properties for special events and occasions. Ann has served as a critical member of the DTC leadership team at Wente Family Estates for more than 20 years.
Wente Family Estates recently celebrated its 140th harvest and uninterrupted year in business. Now managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family (with the fifth generation of women now leading the charge from grape to glass), these new senior hires for Wente Family Estates reflect a commitment to maintaining that record of longevity with a talented hospitality team in place.
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Family Estates has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously family-owned and operated winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, with women leading the charge from grape to glass. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. The Wente Family Estates portfolio includes an array of consumer brands, such as Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Angels Ink, Ravel & Stitch, Hayes Ranch and more.
In 2010, Wente Family Estates joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes and designation for both their estate vineyards and winery. In April 2022, the company won the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award. This award is given to one winery each year and recognizing leadership in sustainable practices that span both its vineyards and winery as well as the estate’s socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards – Wente Family Estates’ flagship estate label – is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, food and wine experiences, outdoor wine & music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.
