Malpiede leaves Williams Selyem for Ernest Vineyards in Windsor

Mark Malpiede has joined Ernest Vineyards of Windsor as president after serving more than 16 years at the venerable Williams Selyem Winery in Healdsburg.

Malpiede had previously served as vice president of sales and marketing at Williams Selyem. One of Sonoma County’s most notable wineries announced last year that owners John and Kathe Dyson had sold a minority stake to a French winemaking family that will eventually take over ownership.

Erin Brooks and Todd Gottula founded Ernest in 2012 from fruit sourced from cool climate vineyards in the West Sonoma Coast. Joseph Ryan joined as winemaker in 2018 and this year Ernest developed 14 acres in Freestone and purchased a vineyard in Occidental.

“I have been a huge fan of their wines for years and Ernest is a brand on the rise. Erin and Todd are true innovators in the industry and I look forward to helping them and the team continue their upward trajectory and take the next step in growing the brand,” said Malpiede, who serves on the board of directors of the Sonoma County Vintners trade group.

New CEO named at WX Brands

Oliver Colvin has been named as the new CEO of WX Brands, a Novato-based company that has reported sales of 4 million cases of wine annually in 20 countries through private brands as well as its own labels.

Colvin moves into the post from the company’s chief operating officer job, a position he has held for 10 years. He’ll replace Peter Byck, whose plans for the future were not announced.

“I want to continue what Peter has built: a company culture of grit and teamwork, two characteristics that have enabled our success thus far and will carry us into the future,” stated Colvin in the announcement.

His career path includes previous posts at WX Brands, including head of operations and head of international sales as well as the company’s U.S. sales. Before he joined the Marin County company, Colvin was senior vice president and assistant general counsel at Silicon Valley Bank and also served as a partner in a law firm.

Barrel company adds new team members

Tonnellerie Ô, a Benicia-based producer of barrels, is adding two new members to its sales team.

Chad Stephens will be assuming the responsibility of area director for Napa County, the Central Valley, Sierra Foothills, and Washington state, the company reported. Stephanie Moriarty will be joining the team as area director for Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties and the rest of the Bay Area.

Stephens’ career in wine, spirts and beer includes stints at Young’s Market Company, North Berkeley Wines; Johnson Brothers; and, most recently, Anheuser-Busch.

Moriarty’s experience includes working at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Young’s Market as well as in the commercial Insurance industry, the Solano County company stated.

She was most recently the California state manager for Bacardi USA. Moriarty graduated from UC San Diego.

The company also announced that Drew Wolfe, the former sales director for Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, will be dedicated fully to international markets.

The North Bay Business Journal contributed to this article. Compiled by Bill Swindell. Submit items to bill.swindell@pressdemocrat.com.