Viticulture briefs: Petaluma Gap group gets new executive director

Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance announces new executive director

Cheryl Quist has been selected as the new executive director for the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance by the nonprofit group’s board of directors.

Quist previously served as executive director for the Rhone Rangers, a group that promotes American Rhone varietal wines, from 2007 to 2015. She also served as executive director for the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association from 2004 to 2005.

Quist began her career working for tech firms in marketing and business development. She has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in Illinois and a master’s degree in business administration from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

“The story about the impact of wind on the vines is an intriguing one that I am thrilled to help convey to wine aficionados across the country,” Quist said in a statement.

Wine Industry Network gets new partner for East Coast expo

Healdsburg’s Wine Industry Network has brought on the WineAmerica trade group as a presenting sponsor for its U.S. Wine & Beverage Conference and Expo that is held in Washington, D.C.

WineAmerica, which represents wineries across the United States, will help develop conference topics, select speakers and provide networking opportunities for attendees.

The conference and trade show will take place Feb. 20-22. The Wine Industry Network also hosts the North Coast Wine Industry Expo at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds every December.

“The quality of wines being produced in the East are finally getting the recognition they deserve and our goal is to produce a conference of similar quality, the region deserves it,” said George Christie, president of Wine Industry Network.

Senses Wines of Occidental ?selects general manager

Occidental-based Senses Wines has hired Chelsea Boss as its general manager.

Boss most recently worked at Alpha Omega Winery in St. Helena as an executive assistant and at the JH Collection in Rutherford as a portfolio manager.

She started in the cellar at Cinder Wines in Idaho, where she helped with general sales. Boss then moved to Napa Valley to manage operations for Favia Wines.

“We’re thrilled to have Chelsea at Senses - she’s ambitious, passionate and really loves this industry and that makes her a perfect fit for the team,” said Chris Strieter, co-founder of Senses Wines, in a statement.

Compiled by Bill Swindell. Submit items to bill.?swindell@pressdemocrat.com.