Bob Lipinski Named National Director of Sales Training for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Woodinville, WA

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), Washington’s premier wine company and one of the top 10 premium wine companies in the U.S., is pleased to announce the appointment of veteran industry executive, Bob Lipinski, to the newly created role of National Director of Sales Training.

“Bob brings a wealth of industry experience to Ste. Michelle and we are confident that his talents will contribute ‘best in class’ training programs to our sales team and customers,” said Frank Genovese, SMWE Senior Vice President of National Sales.

“I look forward to joining the Ste. Michelle team. The company produces and represents some of the most acclaimed wines in the world and this is an outstanding opportunity to develop programming that tells Ste. Michelle’s unique winery stories,” Lipinski said.

A Certified Sommelier, Lipinski most recently served as Vice President of Brand Management & Education for “Grapes on the Go.” He previously held executive-level training and education positions in the wine and spirits industry, including Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, Premier Wine & Spirits, and Brown-Forman Corporation. In addition, Lipinski was a College Professor of Management & Marketing at New York Institute of Technology.

In this new position, Lipinski will ensure that training and development initiatives are created and executed to support SMWE’s overall sales goals. He will conduct a comprehensive training needs assessment and make recommendations to senior management. Efforts will be focused on the creation of a consultative selling program for all sales employees, and the development of a "world class" wait staff training program.

As an experienced journalist, Lipinski has authored seven books about food and alcoholic beverages and he has been an invited speaker and educator to numerous worldwide audiences. Among his most noteworthy roles, Lipinski provided wine education including food and wine pairing, proper wine service and sensory evaluation skills to the Executive Staff at the White House.

Lipinski has also served as a consulting enologist and viticulturist, which affords him unique insight into his training subjects.

About Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Based in Washington State, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates also has vineyard and winery holdings in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and in Napa Valley, California. Ste. Michelle has pioneered the Washington wine industry since it was established in 1934, and today the company’s portfolio includes Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, Domaine Ste. Michelle, Snoqualmie, Northstar, Col Solare, and Spring Valley Vineyard in Washington; Erath in Oregon; and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Conn Creek, and Villa Mt. Eden in Napa. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is also the exclusive importer of Antinori wines in the United States, as well as Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Villa Maria Estate.

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For further information:
Jennifer Kang
(425) 415-3336
Jennifer.Kang@smwe.com