Wine Spectrum, Cinzano, Frederick Wildman, Buckingham Wile - Pierre Ferrari

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Pierre Ferrari worked in the wine industry during what he refers to as an "amazing time for consolidation in that industry" -- 1978-1988. These days, he is involved through his Atlanta-based consulting business, New Value Partners, with other beverages -- namely Yerba mate (see http://www.guayaki.com/). Pierre believes in this sustainable product -- " We are very conscientiously managing thebusiness across the triple bottom lines of financial, social and environmental." Still, he notes that being in the wine business was great fun.

* VP International Development, The Wine Spectrum (aka Coke wine division): 1978-1982

* President of Cinzano North America 1982-1984

* President of Frederick Wildman and Sons (very high end wine/spirit importer) from 1984-1987.

* SrVP Buckingham Wile and Sons..1987-1988

"The reason for ALL the moves is that each company was sold," Pierre notes. Talk about consolidation!

Pierre is a 1976 graduate of Harvard Business School.

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California Grapes International - Amy Hanson

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Amy Hanson is Vice President of Marketing for California Grapes International. She spends much of her time in California, and much of her time in Hong Kong, opening the Chinese market to California wines.


According to the Website, "California Grapes International, Inc. is your leader in international wine sales and distribution. The current business model of wine distribution and sales in the United States and abroad does not provide for an effective sale strategy beyond the direct sale of a wineries’ tasting room. The biggest challenge is the absence of value being provided to the buyer.

California Grapes International, Inc. has developed the necessary plan to achieve this “Value Added” sales and distribution model. In looking to international markets for the deployment of this plan we have identified and developed the necessary marketing, operations and sales support mechanisms to help domestic wineries realize the opportunity of international sales." USA headquarters are in San Jose, CA.

Wines currently represented are:

C. G. DiArie

Robledo Family Winery
Bumgarner

Cartlidge & Browne

Ceja

Domaine Carneros

Tudor

Radog
Fopolli
Russian Hill
Ruston
Miraflores
Terre Rouge
Easton
White Oak

Amy is a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1992.

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Pelican Brands; Taliera Holdings - J. Smoke Wallin

"Smoke", as he is known to his thousands of friends in the wine and spirits industry, is founder of Taliera Holdings, a company formed to acquire and license brands and run businesses in the beverage alcohol space. The company has alliances with several private equity groups and investors. The team has extensive experience in the Beer, Spirits, Wine and overall beverage industries throughout the US and the world. Smoke is on the road a lot, but Indianapolis is home base.

From Taliera's website: "The Taliera team has extensive strategic and operational experience through both consulting engagements and in active management across the industry. If you have a brand, a portfolio of non-strategic brands, or company in the beverage space that needs funding, distribution expertise, U.S. representation, or new strategies for doing business, please send a note to our "contact us" email. We will be happy to review business opportunities with you. "

Smoke is also Chairman of Pelican Brands, formed in 2009 to nurture and build brands in the global beverage alcohol space. Pelican Brands’ team and partners have extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. Pelican is the U.S. brand manager for Singha Beer. Website: http://www.pelican-brands.com/

He is director of the Wine Industry Technology Symposium ("WITS"), where he works closely with co-chair Lesley Berglund HBS '91.

Smoke is also chairman of Wine 2.0™, which is creating a family of web based and live experience based businesses providing value added services for the wine industry and wine consumers with specific focus on the next generation wine consumer.

J. Smoke Wallin is an accomplished leader and successful entrepreneur in the beverage & technology industries. He has spent the last 20 years leading or advising many of the largest brand owners and distributors on their “go-to-market” strategies, market execution plans and capital raising/investments. His clients or business partners have included: Anheuser-Busch, Credit Suisse, Diageo, Heineken, Pernod Ricard, Allied Domecq, Seagram, & Coca-Cola Enterprises, as well as 100s of winery clients from North America to New Zealand. In 1988, National Wine & Spirits (NWS) was a $150 million single state wine and spirits distributor. As head of the corporate group, and later as the CFO, EVP & Director from 1993-2004, Wallin led the strategic thinking and execution at NWS, which created a $1 billion plus multi-state wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverage distributor. He also served, as Chairman, President & Director of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 1996-2004. He was President & CEO, Liquor Lab, LLC.

Smoke is thrilled about the opportunity he had to spend a semester at Harvard's Extension School, Undergraduate Program in Liberal Arts.

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Heritage Link Wines: Selena Cuffe and Khary Cuffe

Visit the website of this company, which imports wines from Africa:
(information below from the website)

ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Heritage Link Brands is the preeminent importer and distributor of wine from the African continent and its Diaspora. We are the largest company in the United States dedicated to importing and distributing wine produced by indigenous African vintners and people of African descent throughout the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.


Selena Cuffe
Selena Cuffe is the President and CEO of Heritage Link Brands, LLC. She presides over the company's strategic and operational direction. With over 10 years of general management experience, she has served in key roles for United Airlines, Procter & Gamble, and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), overseeing initiatives for over 20 countries.

Cuffe is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a Master of Business Administration, with honors, from Harvard University. She is also certified, with merit, by the UK-based Wine and Spirits Educational Trust, (WSET).

Khary Cuffe
Khary Cuffe serves as Chief Financial Officer for Heritage Link Brands, LLC. He directs fiscal control functions and oversees business development activity and regulatory affairs. Formerly with Prudential Financial and UBS Investment Bank, Cuffe has a decade of experience in public and corporate finance, with transactional experience in Mortgage Backed Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions, Debt, Equity, and Initial Public Offerings. He was also a marketing executive with the Procter & Gamble Company.

Cuffe is a graduate of Wesleyan University and holds Masters degrees from the Harvard Business School and John F. Kennedy School of Government.

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