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Napa Valley Vintners Elect Clay Gregory 2003 Association President
2/5/2003 - St. Helena, CA, - Clay Gregory, Vice President and General Manager, Robert Mondavi Winery, has been elected president of the Board of Directors of Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), one of the most prominent positions in the wine industry. Gregory takes the reins from 2002 NVV President Dawnine Dyer, partner, Dyer Vineyards.
Over the next year Gregory will lead the prestigious regional trade association board that represents over 220 Napa Valley wineries in marketing and promotional activities throughout the world. The NVV sponsors the world's most successful charity wine event, the annual Napa Valley Wine Auction.
Gregory and his fellow vintners will also advocate on behalf of public policies and issues that impact the Napa wine industry. He plans to take a proactive approach on a number of important industry issues facing the Napa Valley vintners and growers, including geographic brand labeling, farmworker housing, sustainability and watershed protection.
"The year 2003 promises to be an extremely exciting, albeit challenging year for the NVV," said Gregory. "We will enhance and emphasize the marketing side of our efforts as we continue to work diligently to protect the reputation of the Napa Valley on the branding, environmental and other important fronts," he said.
"In this incredibly competitive wine market, it's critically important that we clearly communicate the special qualities that make the Napa Valley and its wines among the finest in the world," said Gregory. "Ongoing scientific and consumer research, combined with new marketing programs such as the 100% Napa Valley certification mark, enhanced direct marketing and a continuation of our advertising campaign are each designed to do just that," he added.
Gregory received his undergraduate and MBA degrees from San Jose State University. Prior to joining the Robert Mondavi Winery in 1989, he spent six years working as a product and marketing manager for Motorola, Inc. in Cupertino, California. In 1979, at the age of 22, his first experience in the wine industry was working for a small, family-owned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He worked in both the vineyard and cellar, pruning vines, racking and topping barrels and cleaning tanks. Gregory also ran the tasting room and managed sales in the Bay Area.
With Robert Mondavi Winery Gregory is responsible for winemaking, vineyards, marketing and visitor programs. In addition, he oversees the strategic direction of the winery and was also responsible for the planning and recent completion of the To Kalon Project, the first major renovation of the winery since its founding in 1966. Prior to his most recent appointment in 1997, he was Director of Marketing and Visitor Programs, following his initial position as Brand Manager.
Also elected to year-long officer positions with the NVV and the Napa Valley Wine Auction (NVWA) boards are Vice President, NVV and NVWA, Bob Steinhauer, Beringer Vineyards; CFO, NVV, Joel Aiken, Beaulieu Vineyard; Secretary, NVV, Hugh Davies, Schramsberg Vineyards; Secretary, NVWA, Jennifer Baerwald, Community Board member; and Gary Gates, Frogs Leap, was reappointed CFO NVWA.
Also serving on the NVV board are Tracey Skupny, Lang and Reed Wine Company; W. Clarke Swanson, Jr., Swanson Vineyards; and Craig Williams, Joseph Phelps Vineyards. NVWA community board members include: Jennifer Baerwald, Melinda Mendelson, W. Sloan Upton and Wes Walker.
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