Latest news with #DominicEngels
Malaysian Reserve
24-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Classic Wines of California Expands Fine Wine Portfolio with Addition of Four Strategic Partnerships
CERES, Calif., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Casey Tedd, EVP of Classic Wines of California, announces new partnerships with four distinguished, family-owned California wine companies: Whitehall Lane Winery (St. Helena, CA), Resurrection Brands featuring McManis Family Vineyards and LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards (Modesto, CA), Guthrie Family Wines (Sonoma, CA), and Merriam Vineyards (Healdsburg, CA). These strategic additions reflect Classic's continued investment in expanding its fine wine portfolio and deepening its presence across the state with partners who share a commitment to quality, sustainability, and heritage. These collaborations align with Classic's strategic growth initiative, which include investing tens of millions of dollars in strengthening infrastructure, investing in talent, and curating a portfolio of exceptional brands that reflect the depth and excellence of California wine country. 'As a family-owned company deeply rooted in California for four generations, our goal is to be the most trusted, best-in-class partner for California wineries,' said Dominic Engels, CEO of Classic Wines of California. 'We are committed to serving the wine industry with operational excellence, strategic focus, and deep respect for the craft. Welcoming Whitehall Lane, Resurrection Brands, Guthrie Family Wines, and Merriam Vineyards into our portfolio is a proud moment in that mission. This is just the first of many new partnerships to come.' About the Wineries Whitehall Lane Winery, founded in 1979 and owned by the Leonardini family since 1993, farms approximately 145 estate acres in the Rutherford, St. Helena, and Oak Knoll AVAs of Napa Valley. A Napa Green certified estate, the winery is recognized for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Resurrection Brands brings two multi-generational, family-owned wineries: McManis Family Vineyards and LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards. With a shared ethos of sustainability, innovation, and deep Central Valley farming roots, Resurrection Brands brings together two powerhouse producers dedicated to elevating the region's profile through premium wine offerings and regenerative practices. Guthrie Family Wines, founded by Blair and Caroline Guthrie, brings a modern, minimalist approach to Sonoma winemaking rooted in sustainability and transparency. Sourcing from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards and using low-intervention techniques, Guthrie crafts crisp, clean white and chillable red wines such as Picpoul Blanc, Vermentino, Carbonic Grenache and Gamay Noir. Merriam Vineyards is a family-owned certified organic estate vineyard and winery located in Healdsburg. Situated in the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley, the winery is dedicated to sustainable farming, French-inspired varietals, exceptional hospitality, and environmental stewardship. With the addition of these standout producers, Classic Wines of California reinforces its role as a trusted distribution partner for family-led, premium wineries. Whitehall Lane, Resurrection Brands, Guthrie Family Wines, and Merriam Vineyards will benefit from Classic's statewide network, trade support, and marketing resources, positioning them for thoughtful, sustained growth in the fine wine market. About Classic Wines of California Classic Wines of California is a premier wine and spirits distributor dedicated to serving California's diverse retail and restaurant community. The company offers vertically integrated capabilities through its affiliation with Bivio Trucking, allowing for seamless logistics and reliable service across the state. As a family-owned company, it brings deep industry expertise, exceptional service, and an expansive portfolio of high-quality products to the marketplace. For more information, visit
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Classic Wines of California Expands Fine Wine Portfolio with Addition of Four Strategic Partnerships
CERES, Calif., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Casey Tedd, EVP of Classic Wines of California, announces new partnerships with four distinguished, family-owned California wine companies: Whitehall Lane Winery (St. Helena, CA), Resurrection Brands featuring McManis Family Vineyards and LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards (Modesto, CA), Guthrie Family Wines (Sonoma, CA), and Merriam Vineyards (Healdsburg, CA). These strategic additions reflect Classic's continued investment in expanding its fine wine portfolio and deepening its presence across the state with partners who share a commitment to quality, sustainability, and heritage. These collaborations align with Classic's strategic growth initiative, which include investing tens of millions of dollars in strengthening infrastructure, investing in talent, and curating a portfolio of exceptional brands that reflect the depth and excellence of California wine country. "As a family-owned company deeply rooted in California for four generations, our goal is to be the most trusted, best-in-class partner for California wineries," said Dominic Engels, CEO of Classic Wines of California. "We are committed to serving the wine industry with operational excellence, strategic focus, and deep respect for the craft. Welcoming Whitehall Lane, Resurrection Brands, Guthrie Family Wines, and Merriam Vineyards into our portfolio is a proud moment in that mission. This is just the first of many new partnerships to come." About the Wineries Whitehall Lane Winery, founded in 1979 and owned by the Leonardini family since 1993, farms approximately 145 estate acres in the Rutherford, St. Helena, and Oak Knoll AVAs of Napa Valley. A Napa Green certified estate, the winery is recognized for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Resurrection Brands brings two multi-generational, family-owned wineries: McManis Family Vineyards and LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards. With a shared ethos of sustainability, innovation, and deep Central Valley farming roots, Resurrection Brands brings together two powerhouse producers dedicated to elevating the region's profile through premium wine offerings and regenerative practices. Guthrie Family Wines, founded by Blair and Caroline Guthrie, brings a modern, minimalist approach to Sonoma winemaking rooted in sustainability and transparency. Sourcing from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards and using low-intervention techniques, Guthrie crafts crisp, clean white and chillable red wines such as Picpoul Blanc, Vermentino, Carbonic Grenache and Gamay Noir. Merriam Vineyards is a family-owned certified organic estate vineyard and winery located in Healdsburg. Situated in the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley, the winery is dedicated to sustainable farming, French-inspired varietals, exceptional hospitality, and environmental stewardship. With the addition of these standout producers, Classic Wines of California reinforces its role as a trusted distribution partner for family-led, premium wineries. Whitehall Lane, Resurrection Brands, Guthrie Family Wines, and Merriam Vineyards will benefit from Classic's statewide network, trade support, and marketing resources, positioning them for thoughtful, sustained growth in the fine wine market. About Classic Wines of California Classic Wines of California is a premier wine and spirits distributor dedicated to serving California's diverse retail and restaurant community. The company offers vertically integrated capabilities through its affiliation with Bivio Trucking, allowing for seamless logistics and reliable service across the state. As a family-owned company, it brings deep industry expertise, exceptional service, and an expansive portfolio of high-quality products to the marketplace. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Classic Wines
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Wine company behind Trader Joe's ‘Two Buck Chuck' lays off dozens of workers amid ‘significant downturn'
The California winemaker behind the famously affordable Charles Shaw wine — better known to some as the Trader Joe's staple "Two Buck Chuck" — announced last week that it plans to layoff 81 workers. The affected employees at the Bronco Wine Company, which filed a WARN notice on February 7 announcing the layoffs, all work at the business' winery in Stanislaus County, according to SF Gate. WARN notices are generally legally required to be filed with state governments prior to mass layoffs. "Bronco Wine Co. today announced a reduction in force (RIF) impacting a number of positions across the organization, as part of a strategic restructuring plan to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to the challenging headwinds in the wine industry," the company said in a statement. "Bronco Wine Co. made this decision after careful consideration to streamline operations and position the company for long-term sustainability in the face of shifting population demographics, consumer trends and industry headwinds, and over supply of wine grapes in the marketplace." The notice says that the layoffs were needed due to the current state of the economy and upcoming changes in the company's organization. 'This action is necessary due to a significant downturn in business revenues, necessitating a major reorganization in operations and workforce,' the notice says. The layoffs are scheduled for April 8 and will eliminate a lift truck operator position, a security officer, an IT tech, a viticulturist and a cellar supervisor, according to the notice. Once the layoffs are over, only 670 staff will be left working for the company in Stanislaus, Madera, Napa and San Joaquin counties. Bronco Wine told SF Gate that shifting demographics and an oversupply of wine making grapes were among the reasons for the layoffs. 'This was a difficult decision, and we deeply value the contributions of all our employees,' Dominic Engels, the company's president and CEO, said in the statement. 'We are confident these strategic adjustments will enable Bronco Wine Co. to remain a leader in the wine industry and continue delivering high-value wines to our customers.' Bronco Wine Company was started by Fred Franzia and his brother in 1973 after the family's original wine business, Franzia, was sold to Coca-Cola. In 1995, the company acquired Charles F Shaw Winery after that company filed for bankruptcy. Under Franzia, the company began offering the now-beloved "Two Buck Chuck." The actual Chuck — Charles Shaw — never took a liking to the wine or his name being attached to it, calling it "embarrassing and demeaning." Prior to its acquisition by Franzia, Charles Shaw sold wines that cost as much as $50 per bottle. Bronco isn't the only winery hurting right now. Wine consumption has been on the downturn, and wine makers across the world are feeling the effects. At least three wineries in California — Carlisle, Edmunds St John, and Vinca Minor — have all announced their closures.
