Classic Wines & Price Family Vineyards announce executive promotions, look to expand vineyard and brand portfolios

Entrepreneur William S. “Bill” Price, III  builds on success of Durell Vineyard and strategic wine industry investments

SONOMA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Classic Wines LLC and Price Family Vineyards LLC, entities owned by entrepreneur and investor Bill Price, have promoted key members of management to facilitate growth. Tom Bonomi, CFO of Classic Wines, has been named President & CFO of Classic Wines. Steve Hill, General Manager of Price Family Vineyards, has been promoted to Vice President of Real Estate & Development for Classic Wines. Rob Harris, Vineyard Manager at Durell Vineyard, will now take the reins as General Manager of Durell Vineyards and Price Family Vineyards.

“Classic Wines and Price Family Vineyards are in a strategic growth phase,” said Price, a co-founder and partner emeritus of TPG Capital, LP (formerly Texas Pacific Group), a private equity fund founded in 1992 with more than $30 billion in assets under management. “We are expanding our portfolio of world-class vineyard sites and wine brands through a highly selective process of acquisition and development. We are fortunate to have a team of talented managers who are able to step up to new responsibilities as we expand our operations. Tom, Steve and Rob are a proven team with the experience to ensure our ongoing success.”

Tom Bonomi has worked with Classic Wines and Price’s personal brand Three Sticks Wines for more than four years, and has played an integral role in many business acquisitions and developments by Price. Specific to the wine industry, these include purchasing financial stakes in Buccella and Kistler Vineyards along with interests in Crushpad, Free Flow Wines and TastingRoom Inc. As President & CFO of Classic Wines, Bonomi will lead management and business development.

One of the most experienced growers in Sonoma County, Steve Hill has managed Durell Vineyard since the site was first planted to vine in 1979. He has consistently cultivated exceptional grapes for premier wineries such as Kistler, Patz & Hall, Chasseur, Chateau St. Jean, Loring, Tor, Lioco and Realm. In his new role, Hill will identify vineyard acquisition opportunities and assist Rob Harris with new vineyard development, including the development of the Dupont Vineyards and One Sky Vineyards, recently acquired properties in Sonoma County.

Rob Harris came to Price Family Vineyards in 2009 after earning his B.S. in Agricultural Economics at UC Davis and spending nine years as Vineyard Manager with Constellation. As the most recent member to join the team, Harris brings his experience with new technologies, science, and sustainable winegrowing to his management practices. As the General Manager of Durell Vineyards and Price Family Vineyards, he will oversee management of Price Family Vineyards’ 170-acre vineyard portfolio and new vineyard acquisitions.