Rick Tigner of Jackson Family Wines Elected 2022-2023 Wine Institute Chairman

New Officers and Board Directors Named

SAN FRANCISCO — Rick Tigner, president and CEO of Jackson Family Wines in Santa Rosa, Calif. was elected Wine Institute Board chairman for the 2022-2023 fiscal year at the organization’s 88th Annual Membership and Board of Directors Meeting June 19-21, 2022. Other officers elected were Randall Lange of LangeTwins Family Vineyards and Winery in Acampo, first vice chairman; Matt Gallo of E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, second vice chairman; Robin Baggett of Alpha Omega Winery in St. Helena  and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, treasurer; and Alex Ryan of The Duckhorn Portfolio in St. Helena, secretary. Robert P. Koch is president and CEO of Wine Institute.

Suzanne Groth, president and CEO of Groth Vineyards & Winery in Oakville, Calif. is the outgoing chairman and becomes an ex-officio board member.

“It is an honor to represent California’s wine community as chairman of Wine Institute,” said Rick Tigner, Jackson Family Wines CEO and president. “The future of California wine is so bright, and our intention at both Jackson Family Wines and at Wine Institute is to continue our leadership role by shaping public policy that helps our world-class wine community deliver on the promise of sustainable and extraordinary wines that can be enjoyed across the globe.”

Founded in 1982, Jackson Family Wines is a family-owned collection of more than 35 wineries started by wine icon Jess Jackson. The company is known as much for its flagship Kendall-Jackson Winery — makers of the U.S.’ most popular Chardonnay 22 years running — as it is for iconic boutique wineries such as Cardinale, Lokoya and Vérité. President since 2010, Tigner is responsible for leading and building the global sales, marketing and communications, production and farming organizations as well as the administrative functions of the family business. Tigner has been deeply involved in the beverage alcohol industry for 30 years.

Wine Institute’s membership also elected new district and at-large directors and alternates. District directors and their alternates were elected on a one-member-one-vote basis in each district, following nominations by regional winery associations.

All members elected 19 at-large directors who had been nominated by Wine Institute’s Finance and Administration Committee. Alternates were chosen by at-large directors.