Category Archives: Who and What

Kentucky Distillers’ Association hired Allison Delande as director of special projects, a now position. At KDA she will coordinate and elevate KDA-related events and initiatives, including the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, Order of the Writ, the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, KDA … Continue reading →

Aviation Gin hires Hollie Stephenson as director of the new Aviation Gin Distillery and visitor’s center.  The facility is expected to open later this summer.  She will oversee distilling and bottling operations as well as the visitor’s center and tasting room. Previously, … Continue reading →

Plata Wine Partners hires Jessica Valenzuela as production planning manager and Shane Owens is named national strategic accounts director, East.  Both are new positions.  She joins from Saintsbury Winery in Napa-Carneros, where she was an enologist.  Owens previously was with Precept … Continue reading →

Hamel Family Wines hires Geoff Labitzke, MW, as its first general manager.  He most recently served as Director of Sales for Sebastopol’s highly regarded Kistler Vineyards where he directed the wholesale and marketing efforts domestically and internationally.

Molson Coors Beverage Co. taps Jeff Agase to lead its Tenth & Blake craft beer unit.  Agase has spent the last five years heading the distributor network development team. Agase, 40, will take over the role vacated by Paul Verdu, who led … Continue reading →