New Wine Road Board of Directors Selected

The announced a new board of directors today, with several familiar names from local wineries joining the 13-member group.

The 36 year-old organization is comprised of 190 area wineries in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys in Sonoma County, and 50 lodgings. The Wine Road sponsors three major wine tasting events during the year including the (January), (March), and Food and Wine Affair (November).  

“The Wine Road is a member-run organization,” said Renae Perry, vice-president of the board. “Most major decisions are put out to the entire membership for a vote.”

There are also several different committees, some including non-board members, who make recommendations that the board votes on, Perry said.

Beth Costas is the executive director of the Wine Road, characterized as a “facilitator” by Perry, who executes the decisions and policies of the Wine Road membership.

The Wine Road's recent Barrel Tasting event over incidents of public inebriation, especially in the Healdsburg business community.

When asked if the Board had discussed the event, Perry said, "Of course. We discuss Barrel Tasting every year.

"The fact is when you have 20,000 people taking part there are going to be isolated incidents," she continued. "We're not police, we can't control everything that happens."

The Board consists of 10 winery and three lodging representatives, elected to two-year terms. Terms of office begin on May 1 for the coming year. The complete Board of Directors is listed below:

Wine Road Officers:

• President: Bruce Thomas, Director of Hospitality at
• Vice President: Renae Perry, Owner and CEO of
• Treasurer: Dee Ahlin, Tasting Room Manager at

Winery Representatives:

• Kathleen Inman, Owner of Inman Family Winery
• Darek Trowbridge, Winemaker/Proprietor at Old World Winery
• Nancy Woods, Direct to Consumer Sales Manager of Balletto Vineyards
• Robin Calkins, Estate Manager at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center
• Michael Monahan, Tasting Room Manager of Draxton Wines
• Jeff Noel, Direct Sales Manager of Robert Young Estate Winery
• Ross James, Hospitality and Sales Director at Kokomo Winery

Lodging Representatives:

• Kevin West, General Manager of Madrona Manor
• Ben Parry, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn
• Aaron Krug, Owner of Best Western Dry Creek Inn