September is around the corner and Slow Living Radio celebrates the
vintners, wines and winemakers of California for California Wine Month. We welcome Nancy Light of the Wine Institute
and Kathleen Heitz Meyers of Heitz Wines to bring us the details on the month
and an insight into the extraordinary wines of this vast and diverse region.
California Wine Month
SAN FRANCISCO—September is the time
when California’s wine grape
harvest is in full swing. Visitors can experience the excitement of harvest
during California Wine Month in September with more than
50 winery events and immersion experiences—from wine festivals and winemaking
classes to winemaker dinners, VIP tastings and tours happening around the
state.
This September marks the 12th annual California Wine
Month, created by Wine Institute to honor America’s top wine-producing state.
“The celebration recognizes the contributions of vintners and growers to our
state economy, culture and lifestyle,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, president
and CEO of Wine Institute. “With an economic contribution of $57.6 billion
annually to the state economy and $114.1 billion annually to the U.S. economy,
California wine is an important economic engine for our state and our nation.
Our scenic wine regions draw visitors worldwide to enjoy California’s great
wine, cuisine and attractions.”
Here’s a complete listing by region of all the events. Visit discovercaliforniawines.com to view events by date
and order a map of California wine regions and their 138 American Viticultural
Areas (AVAs). For great California wine and food road trip ideas click here.
Nancy A. Light,
President of Communications
Nancy A. Light is Vice President of Communications for
the Wine Institute, a trade association of 1,000 California wineries and
affiliated businesses dedicated to enhancing the environment for the
responsible consumption, production and enjoyment of wine. With three decades of experience in strategic
communications for wine and related businesses, she is responsible for guiding
the organization’s media relations, member communications and issues management
agenda.
Light manages several Wine Institute programs designed to
support the long-term growth and vitality of the California wine industry.
“California First” is an initiative to identify and communicate the positive
and distinctive attributes of California wine to consumers, trade, media and
public officials. Working in collaboration with regional winery and grower
organizations around the state, she helped create California Wine Month, a
signature promotion in September that engages wineries, growers, regional associations,
restaurants and retailers in showcasing California wine and is now in its tenth
year. Down to Earth Month in April is
another statewide campaign that highlights the commitment of California’s
growers and vintners to sustainability and green practices.
Light helped orchestrate Wine Institute’s participation
in a strategic partnership with Visit California, the state travel and tourism
commission, to promote California wine and food throughout the U.S. and in key
international markets. She is a Board
member and frequent speaker at wine and wine tourism industry conferences.
Prior to rejoining Wine Institute in 2004, Light was Vice
President of Public Relations for the Robert Mondavi Company for seven years
and also ran her own PR and communications consultancy.
Kathleen Heitz Myers
President and CEO
Years of hands-on experience in every facet of the family
business inspired Kathleen Heitz Myers' deep-rooted love of winemaking. Her
firsthand knowledge of every aspect of running a winery combined with a
broad-based education in science, genetics and the culinary arts uniquely
prepared Kathleen for her dynamic leadership role at one of Napa Valley’s most
revered wineries.
The Heitz family values education, and Kathleen
approached her studies with the intent
of gaining an international perspective. She began her scientific studies in
Switzerland, ultimately earning a Biology degree from the University of Oregon.
She also attained a lifetime teaching credential from UC Davis, and continued
her education in France and Thailand with the study of cuisine.
In 1978, she returned home, eager to contribute to the
Heitz Wine Cellars winemaking legacy. Her career at Heitz began in sales and
marketing, where she spearheaded a program to export Heitz wines to markets
around the globe. Her ability to identify innovative ideas and flawlessly
execute them won her the family’s vote of confidence to lead the entire
operation.
Since 1998, Kathleen has been the President and Chief
Operating Officer of Heitz Wine Cellars. She has charted a highly effective
course for the winery by embracing frontline business practices while
continuing to preserve Heitz's commitment to quality and innovation.
Kathleen’s ability to create long-term relationships has
fostered valued business connections and friendships with customers, employees
and community leaders alike, a vital cornerstone of Heitz Wine Cellars’ ongoing
success. Her respect for community involves her service on several
boards-of-directors including past Chairman of Wine Institute, past President
of Napa Valley Vintners, past President of Wine Service Co-op and the Advisory
Council for the Land Trust of Napa County.
“My parents believed in the American dream of building a
family business,” says Kathleen. “I think they would be amazed at the
far-reaching impact of our small winery today. We hear stories from people
around the world who celebrate life with Heitz wines, and we promise that we
will continue to polish our legacy.”
Kathleen is married to St. Helena businessman George
Myers, who is also an avid wine connoisseur and fly fisherman. They synchronize
their busy schedules to travel together often as Kathleen represents Heitz Wine
Cellars around the world.
About Heitz
Wine Cellars
Founded in 1961,
Heitz Wine Cellars is a true Napa Valley legacy: a multi-generation, successful
family business that has held true to its founder’s vision for decades and
continues to stand proudly in the world’s spotlight. Pioneering vintner Joe
Heitz and his wife Alice shared an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit that
helped usher in Napa’s modern era with his iconic, globally-celebrated
wines—including Napa Valley’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon, the
legendary Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard—and the vision that Napa Valley wines
could achieve international recognition. Today, the Heitz family is steadfastly
upholding the principles and unwavering commitment to quality that built a wine
portfolio of enduring excellence, while thoughtfully modernizing and
diversifying the business. With hands-on management of the winery and
organically farmed vineyards, the Heitz family continues to offer
quintessential wines, made with 100% Napa Valley fruit, that celebrate their
agrarian roots and commitment to the stewardship of Napa Valley, a place they
call home.
Chris Indelicato
President and CEO
Wine Institute officer
Chris Indelicato leads the third generation of family
management at Delicato Family Vineyards, one of the country’s fastest growing
wineries consistently recognized for its strides in product innovation and
category leadership. With more than a decade of experience as President and CEO
of the family-owned business and over 90 years of California winemaking and
grape growing heritage, Chris oversees the winery’s strategic direction,
company culture and commitment to sustainability.
Born and raised in Manteca, California where his
grandfather, Gaspare Indelicato broke ground on the family’s first vineyards in
1924, Chris was not simply exposed to, but wasingrained in the art and business of making wine
since day one. A child of the vines, he spent his pre-adolescent and teenage
years alongside his father and uncles harvesting, crushing, bottling and even
pouring behind the counter of the family’s tasting room.
"I work with my family, the most important people in the world to me, every single day. I am constantly reminded that each employee, each vendor, each grower, each consumer is also part of our family."
Chris went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree at the
University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he quickly launched his
post-graduate career as a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Chris’s time in
the financial field provided invaluable experience and a renewed interest in
returning to the family business. Convinced there was significant opportunity
yet to be tapped, Chris returned to Delicato Family Vineyards in 1994 and went
to work. Initially spending time alongside his brother, Jay on the viticulture
and winery operations side, Chris continued his evolution within the company as
the National Accounts Manager, followed by responsibility as Chief Financial
Officer. Following years of research, experience, relationship building and an
unwavering passion for continuing his family legacy, Chris assumed the role as
President and CEO in 2004.
Under the leadership and vision of Chris, Delicato Family
Vineyards has grown to rank among the top 10 wineries in the United States in
volume with an annual production exceeding 7 million cases. For the last three
years, with Chris at the helm, Delicato Family Vineyards has driven the third
largest amount of revenue growth in the wine industry. Named Wine Enthusiast magazine’s 2011 “American Man of
the Year” for his outstanding achievement in innovation, distinctive brand
positioning and big picture thinking, Chris has led the successful launch and
long term, national and international success of brands like Gnarly Head, Noble
Vines and Bota Box. Today, Chris is as focused as ever. With prestige brands
like Black Stallion Estate Winery in Napa Valley and groundbreaking entries
like Belle Ambiance, the Delicato Family Vineyards portfolio continues to
outperform the competition and over deliver on meeting the needs of the modern
wine consumer.
Chris proudly serves as Vice President of the Winegrowers
of Napa County, as well as Secretary of The Wine Institute, the public policy
advocacy association representing nearly 1,000 California wineries. Most
importantly, he is the proud father of two children, son Borja and daughter
Caterina. Chris and wife, Maché make their home in Napa.
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| The Team |
