Winemaker Roundabout in Napa

It's musical chairs in the valley's wine cellars this spring
 
 
Napa Valley, Calif. -- Winemakers change jobs all the time, but there has been an especially abundant number of changes of late, some layoffs spurred by the faltering economy and weak wine sales. Without attempting to determine which are layoffs, firings or resignations, here's a summary of some changes in the industry: 

Joel Aiken is leaving as vice president of winemaking for Beaulieu Vineyard after 27 years at the iconic winery to pursue new winemaking projects. He will consult on Beaulieu Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour for at least a year. Jeff Stambor, who is in charge of day-to-day Cabernet winemaking, has been with BV for 20 years. Winemaker Domenica Totty has been with BV for 10 years while Elizabeth Delouise-Gant has been there for eight years.
 
 Artesa Vineyards & Winery appointed Mark Beringer as its vice president of winemaking operations. Beringer was with Duckhorn Wine Company for 14 years, most recently as director of winemaking. Beringer is a descendent of Beringer Vineyards founder Jacob Beringer and began his career with his cousins at Raymond Vineyards, also Beringer descendants.
 
Dave Dobson left Artesa Vineyards, and is now winemaker for Stage Gulch with Carneros Vintners Inc., a division of the Vintners Group. They recently broke ground on what will be the largest custom crush facility in the Carneros region. 
 
Stephanie Putnam at Far Niente resigned after eight years as winemaker. Dirk Hampson continues to supervise winemaking for Far Niente, Dolce, Nickel & Nickel and the company's new project in the Russian River Valley.

Winemaker Michael Beaulac left St. Supéry for Pine Ridge, where he replaces Stacy Clark, who resigned. St. Supéry's new president Emma Swain, is seeking a replacement. 
 
Peter Luthi retired from Trefethen Family Vineyards after 25 years, and is now winemaker emeritus. Paul Warson also left Trefethen for Foley Wine Company in Santa Barbara, where he is winemaker for Firestone Vineyards and is developing a new brand.

To succeed Luthi, Trefethen appointed Jon Ruel, who was head of viticulture, to be director of viticulture and enology. Ruel will be responsible for coordinating the vineyard and winemaking teams. Zeke Neeley has been promoted to winemaker and Bryan Kays has been promoted to assistant winemaker.
 
Bill Nancarrow replaced Beringer as Duckhorn Wine Company's executive winemaker for Napa Valley.

David Marchesi is the new winemaker at Duckhorn's Paraduxx winery. Marchesi joined Paraduxx in August of 2008 as assistant winemaker, working alongside Bill Nancarrow, Duckhorn Wine Company's executive winemaker--Napa Valley. Marchesi was formerly associate winemaker for Gundlach Bundschu and winemaker for its sister winery, Bartholomew Park.
 
Linda Trotta left Gundlach Bundschu, and was replaced by Keith Emerson, who also remains director of winemaking for Vineyard 29 in St. Helena. Emerson also consults for three wineries and produces Emerson Brown Cabernet Sauvignon. He served as Gundlach Bundschu associate winemaker from 2000 to 2004. 
 
Gundlach Bundschu's Keith EmersonAnne Dempsey and Jessica Koga were named associate winemakers at Gundlach Bundschu. Dempsey joined as enologist in 2007. Koga, a veteran of Schramsberg Vineyards and Cloudy Bay Vineyards in New Zealand, joined Gundlach Bundschu in 2008 as enologist. In addition to daily lab operations, she will also oversee winemaking operations for Bartholomew Park Winery.

Winemaker Adolfo Alarcon left Charles Krug and has been replaced by Dave Galzignato as chief winemaker. Galzignato previously worked for Charles Krug, then went to Paraduxx, Mark David Winery and Lewis Cellars. 
 
Dirk Hampson, Far NienteDavid Hayman joined Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines as senior vice president wine operations. He will oversee winery and vineyard operations. Hayman was previously senior vice president of West Coast Operations and Technical at Constellation Wines U.S. 

 Ehlers Estate winery has appointed Kevin Morrisey winemaker and gen eral manager. Morrisey comes to Ehlers Estate from Stags' Leap Winery where he was winemaker and general manager since 2005. Morrisey interned at Château Pétrus before joining Stags' Leap Winery.

Tom Foster has left Gallo's Louis M. Martini. He was not replaced, but responsibilities were shifted to handle his responsibilities.

Christina Pallmann is no longer at Twomey Cellars. Daniel Baron continues as winemaker for Twomey as well as Silver Oak Cellars.

There have also been significant layoffs including winemakers at Diageo, Kendall-Jackson, Foster's and most recently, Brown-Forman.