The Wine Institute

Jun 13, 2007 Jasper Indelicato

SAN FRANCISCO — Jasper (Jay) Indelicato was elected Wine Institute board chairman for the 2007-2008 fiscal year at the 73rd Annual Wine Institute Meeting of Members held yesterday at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. He is chief operating officer at Delicato Family Vineyards headquartered in Napa, with the San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey County and a winery in Manteca. Also elected were Margaret Duckhorn of Duckhorn Vineyards in St. Helena, first vice chairman; Raymond Chadwick of Diageo Chateau " Estate Wines, headquartered in Napa, second vice chairman; Tom Klein of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, treasurer; and David Kent of the Wine Group, headquartered in San Francisco, secretary.

Indelicato is a third-generation vintner whose family winery has been making wine for 80 years. He grew up with the winery as his playground and worked as a winery employee at a young age, driving forklifts, welding and repairing winery equipment and making wine. He learned the business from the inside out but also earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He has served on the Delicato Family Vineyards board since 1999 and is also on the Wine Grape Advisory Committee of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

As Wine Institute chairman, Indelicato wants to continue to strengthen the core programs at Wine Institute and help the industry grow and thrive in an environment that is increasingly competitive at home and abroad. Key issues he'll be addressing with the organization include free and fair trade, tax matters, and reauthorization of the Farm Bill. He wants to continue the momentum of the successful California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, which promotes responsible practices for the environment and communities, and the more recent "California First" program, which engages members and industry partners in communicating a consistent message about the unique and positive qualities of the California wine industry. "These programs reflect the values of our industry and preserve the long-term health of our businesses for future generations," said Indelicato.

The Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group for California wineries and affiliated businesses, which now has a record 1043 members accounting for 95 percent of California wine production and 85 percent of U.S. wine production. Based in San Francisco, with offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., six regions across the U.S. and 12 foreign countries, the Wine Institute is guided by 80 vintners who are members and alternates of an active board of directors. The board elects the chairman and officers on an annual basis. Robert P. Koch is President and CEO of Wine Institute.