BENZIGER PROMOTES WINEMAKER; NEW LEADER FOR MARKETING

Benziger Family Winery                        Megan Mack

1883 London Ranch Road                   Public Relations Manager

                                                                   

 

 

GLEN ELLEN, CALIFORNIA (February 1, 2010) – Benziger Family Winery has promoted Winemaker Rodrigo Soto to Vice President of Winemaking.

 

In his new role, Soto will supervise the winegrowing program for the certified sustainable Benziger Family wines, as well as the vineyard designate program. He will also be managing the certified organic and certified Biodynamic® Signaterra and de Coelo winemaking programs.

 

Chilean-born Soto joined Benziger as Director of Winemaking in 2006. He brings extensive international winegrowing experience with Biodynamic® and organic wineries, including his work as Principal Winemaker and project manager at Matetic Vineyards in San Antonio, Chile. 

 

In addition, Benziger Family Winery has hired wine industry marketing veteran Mark Marinozzi as Vice President of Marketing. He will be at the helm of both the brand marketing and direct-to-consumer divisions of the winery.

 

Marinozzi’s broad industry experience spans over two decades, and includes brand management and strategic positioning, development and execution of cross-functional marketing programs, public relations strategy, package design and sales for top tier luxury US wine brands. Most recently, Marinozzi was General Manager at Diageo Chateau & Wine Estates, and prior to that was Vice President of Marketing at J Vineyards & Winery, a luxury producer of Russian River Valley sparkling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.

 

“Over the last five years we have very purposely refocused our business, moving to smaller production, while carefully sourcing our grapes with a focus on quality and site character. We have also refined our growing practices to ensure all of our wines are either certified Biodynamic®, certified organic, or certified sustainable,” said General Manager Mike Benziger. “Promoting Rodrigo Soto and adding Mark Marinozzi to our senior management team will help further refine our business and our goals as a company. Their commitment to excellence will help position Benziger Family Winery for years to come.”

 

Leaders in Biodynamic®, organic and certified-sustainable farming, Benziger Family Winery is dedicated to crafting authentic wines that are true to the grape variety, vintage and vineyard. Benziger believes that natural farming yields wines with more flavor, aroma, and site-specific character. Farming in this way commands the enthusiasm of an entire team devoted to a singular passion. At Benziger, that team is a family, and their passion is Sonoma County winegrowing. For more information, visit www.benziger.com.

 

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