US-based Rodney Strong Wine Estates has announced the retirement of president Carmen Castaldi.
The business, based in Sonoma, said Castaldi will retire at the end of March after almost 20 years with the company. He has been president since 2016.
Castaldi said: “After over 40 years in the wine business, half that span at Rodney Strong, I am fortunate to have seen many accolades earned during my tenure but I am most proud of hiring and retaining some of the most talented people in the world of wine.”
“I am supremely confident that they will carry on and achieve great things for Rodney Strong Wine Estates in Sonoma County and beyond.”
After his retirement, he will serve as senior advisor to the Rodney Strong Wine Estates board.
The company will not hire a new president and will have a trio of executives running operations.
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By GlobalDataIt has promoted Anthony ‘AC’ Capobianco to senior vice president of sales and marketing. Capobianco, chief financial and operations officer Tobin Ginter and Justin Siedenfeld, senior vice president of winemaking and winegrowing, will “collaboratively oversee operations and lead the organisation”, Rodney Strong Wine Estates said.
“Each will oversee their respective areas of expertise, and as a unit will report directly to the board of directors,” the company told Just Drinks. “This model has worked in the past, most recently during Carmen Castaldi’s tenure before he became president.”
According to the business, during Castaldi’s tenure, “RSWE acquired and launched several great brands and wines, doubling its case production”. The company, which includes Rodney Strong Vineyards, Davis Bynum Wines and Rowen Wine Company, did not provide figures.
In a statement, Bob Corkern, chair of the company’s board of directors said: “We, at Rodney Strong Wine Estates, are incredibly grateful to Carmen for his hard work and dedication over the past two decades.”
“Carmen is a unique and talented leader, responsible for many of the company and brands’ accomplishments throughout his time with us.”
Rodney Strong Wine Estates’ products are sold across the US – its largest market – and in more than 30 other countries. The company’s largest export market is Canada.
Asked what the new leadership team’s growth priorities will be over the next 12 to 18 months, the company said: “RSWE will be focused on growing the number of accounts where brands are sold, both on-premise and off-premise, with special attention on their super-premium ($25-$30), ultra-premium ($30-$50) and luxury ($50 and up) wines.”
Rodney Strong Wine Estates owns brands such as Rodney Strong Vineyards, Davis Bynum Wines, Knotty Vines and Upshot Wines. The company’s portfolio includes 11 varieties of wines, such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, rosés and red and white blends.
In June, the company acquired River West Vineyard in California. River West is a 335-acre territory in the Russian River Valley that has served as a single source of Chardonnay for Rodney Strong Wine Estates since the late 1970s.
