Our goal is to be the undisputed leader in American luxury wine, and I am confident that these leaders will be instrumental in helping us achieve that ambition.
September brought a concentrated wave of executive changes across the wine industry, from a three-appointment reshuffle at The Duckhorn Portfolio announced today to a generational handover at South Africa's oldest wine estate and new chief executives in California luxury wine and Australia's McLaren Vale.
Duckhorn names three EVPs
The Duckhorn Portfolio, described by the company as North America's premier luxury wine company, today announced three executive leadership appointments, as reported by BevNET and Shanken News Daily:
- Paul Passaro appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Sales Officer, effective October 5, 2026. Passaro brings more than 25 years of wine and spirits experience, most recently as head of sales at O'Neill Vintners & Distillers, and previously spent nearly 18 years at E. & J. Gallo Winery, including as National Director of Sales & Marketing for the Luxury Portfolio.
- Chanel Caplan promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, effective September 30, 2026. Caplan joined Duckhorn in February 2025 as SVP, Brand Management, Premium Brands, after leading growth for Kim Crawford and Meiomi at Constellation Brands and serving as president of Patco Brands' Rancho La Gloria.
- P.J. Alviso promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective February 1, 2027. Alviso joined the company in 2007 and most recently served as SVP, Operations, with oversight of vineyard, winemaking, winery operations, supply strategy, supply chain, engineering and grower relations.
Zach Rasmuson, who has served as COO since 2012 and been with the company since 2003, will join the company's Board of Directors. "After 23 years, I could not be more confident in the organization's direction, or in P.J. as my hand-picked successor," Rasmuson said.
"Together, these appointments bring the right combination of fresh perspective, deep institutional knowledge, and proven leadership to our executive team as we enter our next phase of growth," said CEO Robert Hanson. "Our goal is to be the undisputed leader in American luxury wine, and I am confident that these leaders will be instrumental in helping us achieve that ambition."
Duckhorn operates eleven wineries, nine winemaking facilities, five tasting rooms and more than 2,200 acres of vineyards across 38 estate properties, with US volume of 2.9 million cases annually according to Impact Databank. Passaro called joining "a full-circle moment," noting he had represented the company's brands as a sales consultant early in his career.
Groot Constantia appoints Dr Edo Heyns as CEO
Groot Constantia, South Africa's oldest wine-producing estate with an uninterrupted winemaking history since 1685, has appointed Dr Edo Heyns as CEO, effective October 19, 2026, Winemag and The Drinks Business reported. Current CEO Jean Naudé will retire on November 30 after 24 years leading the estate since 2002, working alongside Heyns through a handover period.
Heyns was CEO of Franschhoek estate Allée Bleue from March 2024 and previously held senior roles at Advini South Africa, the subsidiary of French group AdVini International that owns Ken Forrester Vineyards and Stellenbosch Vineyards. His experience spans wine production, operations, sales, marketing and hospitality.
"The transition has been carefully planned to ensure continuity across the estate's operations, teams and strategic priorities," said board chairperson Clifford van der Venter, adding that the appointment "builds on the strong foundations that have shaped South Africa's oldest wine-producing farm for generations."
Groot Constantia, founded in 1685 by Simon van der Stel and home of the legendary Grand Constance sweet wine, was transferred in 1993 to a not-for-profit company through an Act of Parliament. The Groot Constantia Trust has no shareholders; financial surplus is fed back into the estate's 90 hectares under vine.
Chris Avery to lead The Wonderful Company's wine business
The Wonderful Company announced September 3 that Chris Avery has been named president of its wine business, effective October 5, overseeing JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Landmark Vineyards and Lewis Cellars. Avery currently serves as CEO of Shafer Vineyards and has held senior roles at Darioush, DAOU Family Estates, Patrimony Estate, Opus One and Jordan Vineyard & Winery, spanning operations, global sales and distribution, marketing, hospitality and direct-to-consumer.
"Chris brings a rare combination of luxury brand expertise, commercial discipline and hands-on leadership across every part of the wine business," said Stewart Resnick, chairman and president of The Wonderful Company. "He is the right leader to guide our wine business through this period and position it for its next chapter of growth."
Trent Fraser takes Chalk Hill helm
In Australia, Chalk Hill Wines of McLaren Vale has appointed Trent Fraser as Chief Executive Officer, Drinks Digest reported September 16. Fraser previously led Top Shelf International and is a former Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton vice president.
"My goal is ambitious and simple, to protect and enhance what makes Chalk Hill Wines so special, so that more people have the opportunity to experience our beautiful wines and share them with the people they care about," Fraser said. Managing Director Tom Harvey said Fraser "brings a rare combination of international wine and luxury brand experience, commercial leadership and a genuine passion for South Australian wine."
Chalk Hill, established in 1964, is owned and operated by the Harvey family. Tom Harvey is the son of the winery's 1964 founders John and Diana Harvey, and a sixth-generation descendant of John Harvey, who was among the first to plant grape vines north of Adelaide in 1839.