Luna Vineyards, Inc. Principal Andre Crisp Appointed President and CEO of Luna Vineyards and The Luna Collection

NAPA, Calif., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Luna Vineyards, Inc. and The Luna Collection are proud to announce the concurrent appointment of Andre Crisp as president and chief executive officer (CEO). Crisp was the president and partner of Luna Vineyards Sales Company, a position he has held for the past 18 months. He was appointed CEO and elected to the board of directors at the same time in September of this year. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131119/SF19261)

Crisp, a proven leader in the Napa Valley wine industry, was appointed as President of Luna Vineyards Sales Company, a division of Luna Vineyards, Inc., in early 2012. His rapid rise to the top position as CEO, responsible for all winery operations, makes the former Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, at age 33, one of the youngest strategy players in the tightly-knit wine industry.

Under Crisp's leadership, in less than a year Luna Vineyards' sales have increased tremendously, with a sales growth of over 500% since February 2013.

"When I joined Luna Vineyards, I knew Luna had great brand equity and brand value. We needed to capitalize on that with our other brands. I created The Luna Collection as an umbrella to encompass all the Luna brands and launched exciting new wines.  Now under The Luna Collection mega brand, we are one family of brands," said Crisp.

"In 2014 we will continue to grow our existing portfolio of wines for The Luna Collection," Crisp stated.  "Each wine will continue to offer complexity, depth, and character at a great value. The fundamentals of our business are simple: deliver what consumers want and serve the needs of our distributors, retailers, and trade customers."

Crisp is the hand-picked successor chosen by Luna Vineyards founder and Napa Valley Hall of Fame member Mike Moone. As former President of Beringer Vineyards, Moone influenced considerable growth through building the Reserve wine offerings and in leading the purchase of Beringer, along with the acquisition of Chateau St. Jean and Stags' Leap Vineyards, culminating one of the wine industry's largest transactions.  

Moone founded Luna Vineyards nearly 20 years ago and handed the reins to Crisp last year. Crisp's background includes leading online and software firms for eleven years.  Then, returning to his family's roots in winemaking, he led a Napa winery in sales and distribution, growing it to encompass over 35 markets, including Asia.

"Andre's Silicon Valley tech background, combined with his leadership skills and wine experience, including international market development make him one of the most exciting presidents in our industry," said Moone, Luna's Chairman of the board.  "I knew 18 months ago that we were fortunate to get someone of Crisp's caliber."

"I have seldom seen a chief executive with a stronger operational focus and the right balance of skills to deliver our growth targets.  Andre has shown his capability of increasing revenues and driving profitability. I am proud to say that the future of Luna looks very bright due to our excellent team and the hard work and commitment that have brought us this far in so short a period of time," Moone said. "I look forward to Andre continuing to grow our company." 

About The Luna Collection

The Luna Collection encompasses four distinct wine brands: Arnold Palmer Wines, Luna Vineyards, aCRISP Wines and Lunatic. Each offers great values for premium wines sourced from choice California grapes and crafted with the best of traditional wine-making techniques for superb color, bouquet and palate-pleasing taste.  www.TheLunaCollection.com

About Luna Vineyards

Founded in 1995, Luna Vineyards is an estate winery that handcrafts wines that are unique and represent the best in their class. Luna Vineyard wines have appeared on NBC's The Today Show and consistently receive high ratings by top wine critics, including the Wine Spectator, Robert Parker Jr., and Stephen Tanzer. Please visit us at 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA or online at www.LunaVineyards.com.

Media Contact:  Tonya Hayes, VP Strategic Communications
925.285.0001 
[email protected]

SOURCE Luna Vineyards, Inc.