Matt Wood Appointed Estate Director at Domaine Chandon and Newton Vineyard

YOUNTVILLE, Calif., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Domaine Chandon and Newton Vineyard, part of the LVMH Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Wood as Estate Director.  Based in Napa Valley, Wood will support the strategic direction of the two acclaimed wineries and will be responsible for overseeing all business channels and operations including that of Michelin star rated etoile Restaurant at Domaine Chandon.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111201/SF15806)

A recent organizational restructure within the group relocated domestic marketing activities from the Napa wineries to the Moet Hennessey headquarters in New York.  The consistent growth of CRM activities and increased consumer traffic at the Napa properties demonstrated a need for expertise in continuing to drive progress while leading a consumer-focused, experiential approach in these channels.  Wood was specifically selected for the depth of knowledge in the direct-to-consumer and hospitality businesses he would bring to the position.  Wood joins Veronique Robin-Amour and Barry Bergman, Winemaking and Operations Director, on the executive committee.  In assuming the role, Wood remarked, "It's an exciting new endeavor to join a family of companies that is synonymous with luxury.  Chandon and Newton are iconic names in Napa Valley with great heritage; I'm eager to move the brands forward as part of a collective vision of the local and global management team."

Most recently, Matt was the Executive Vice President, Direct to Consumer Marketing, at Foley Family Wines where he managed a team of 120 people and oversaw the direct-to-consumer businesses, encompassing nine tasting rooms, multiple clubs and e-commerce sites, and provided a comprehensive DTC strategy.  Prior to his role at Foley Family Wines, Matt served as the Vice President of Marketing and General Manager of Sales at Wine Tasting Network, part of the 1-800 Flowers portfolio, where his main objective was to improve the wine retail business and ensure the successful leverage of the 1-800 assets.  The transition to 1-800 came after nearly 11 years at Constellation Wine Brands where he worked his way up from a Tasting Room Assistant to the Vice President of Retail Operations.  In this role, he managed a team of over 300 individuals, in 15 different locations, within 3 states. He worked on cross-functional improvement projects, developed several innovative wine club marketing concepts and was a member on two Global Sourcing Initiative projects.  Matt holds the WSET Diploma and gained a Bachelor of Law from Leeds University, England in 1988.

About Domaine Chandon

Founded in 1973, Domaine Chandon was the first American sparkling wine venture established by a French Champagne house (Moet & Chandon). Chandon crafts a range of sparkling wines that reflect California's vibrant regional character yet remain true to the practices of methode traditionnelle. A leader in viticulture as well as winemaking, Domaine Chandon is at the forefront of sustainable farming practices and continues to replenish, control, and in many cases restore the natural habitat. Domaine Chandon's acclaimed fine dining restaurant etoile received a star rating in the 2010 Michelin Guide. The winery was selected "Winery of the Year 2005" by the California Tourism Association.

About etoile Restaurant at Domaine Chandon

As the only fine dining restaurant within a winery in Napa Valley, etoile Restaurant at Domaine Chandon epitomizes the very best that wine country dining has to offer. Innovative, wine-inspired cuisine and sophisticated surroundings set the stage for the ultimate wine and food experience. Michelin-starred etoile Restaurant was named the #1 food and wine destination by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2007 and named the Best Wine Tourism Restaurant in the world in by the Great Wine Capitals Network, representing Napa Valley in the global network of world-class wine destinations, in 2008.

etoile Restaurant is located at the Domaine Chandon winery at One California Drive in Yountville, California, in the heart of Napa Valley. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  For reservations please call 800.736.2892 or visit www.chandon.com/etoile-restaurant.  

About Newton Vineyard:

An early pioneer of Spring Mountain founded in 1977, Newton Vineyard is the unfiltered expression of Napa Valley where wines are made in the purist tradition utilizing indigenous yeast fermentation. Newton's terraced mountain estate has 120 acres and 112 distinctive vineyard blocks.  Newton Vineyard's stunning estate which Robert Parker has called one of the most gorgeous in California, with its Asian and British details including traditional parterre garden, first received visitors to its tasting room by appointment only.  In 2006, the tasting room expanded its schedule to offer tours twice a day a, six days a week.  Newton is a proud supporter of Global Green and was most recently recognized as a Napa Green winery. 

SOURCE Domaine Chandon