NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – January 12, 2021 – Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners (DVWP) is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Cerio to the position of vice president of operations. A highly respected industry leader, with two decades of high-level, wine-focused operations experience, Cerio will be responsible for overseeing operations for DVWP’s acclaimed portfolio of wineries. The DVWP portfolio includes Argyle Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma County, Markham Vineyards and TEXTBOOK in Napa Valley, and Dough Wines, DVWP’s new philanthropic wine partnership with the James Beard Foundation.
Over the past two decades, Cerio has earned a reputation as a thoughtful and focused leader, with extensive experience in crucial areas of wine supply and operations management. After beginning his career in commercial food production and packaging operations, Cerio joined Diageo PLC, where he served in senior supply chain and operations roles. After nine years at Diageo, Cerio joined Treasury Wine Estates, where he was ultimately promoted to vice president, supply chain development. Cerio also served as vice president of operations for The Wine Group, where he held responsibility for super-premium wine production across a network of six domestic and international winery sites. Prior to joining DVWP, Cerio was the vice president, wine supply & operations for the Terlato Wine Group.
“From both a quality and culture standpoint, Mike is a perfect fit for our team, and the ideal person to lead operations for our portfolio of wineries,” said Steve Myers, managing director of Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners. “He understands that the reputations of our wineries have been built from the ground up through precision viticulture, a commitment to sustainability, the health and wellbeing of our employees and vineyards, and a belief in constantly innovating and evolving. Just as important, he embraces our belief in being an ethical business and an agent of positive change in our industry, and the communities we call home.”
“I’m excited to join a very talented and passionate team at Distinguished Vineyards, and I’m looking forward to sharing in the stewardship of our iconic portfolio of vineyards and wineries,” says Cerio. “DVWP has a culture that values partnership and innovative thinking, while believing that business can be a force for good. Strong evidence of this can be found in Markham’s partnerships with the Gary Sinise Foundation and the documentary A Fine Line, which advocates for greater representation of women in the culinary and wine industries, Argyle’s Ojo Brilloso program, which supports diversity initiatives and vineyard worker health and education, and the recent launch of Dough Wines in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation, which supports an inclusive, equitable and sustainable food culture. I am proud to be a part of a company that is leading by example, and making a concrete difference in people’s lives.”
ABOUT DISTINGUISHED VINEYARDS & WINE PARTNERS
Formed in 2008, Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners is a dynamic mid-size wine company that includes a collection of iconic wineries from some of the world’s most prestigious wine regions. Recognized as benchmarks for their appellations, the Distinguished Vineyards portfolio includes the highly acclaimed Argyle Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma County, Markham Vineyards and TEXTBOOK in Napa Valley, Wither Hills in New Zealand, and the recent launch of Dough Wines in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Dedicated to excellence, social equity and sustainability, Distinguished Vineyards includes more than 1,000 acres of sustainably certified estate vineyards. Wither Hills holds Sustainable Winegrowing NZ accreditation, and its estate vineyards are certified organic by BioGro NZ, Argyle in Oregon is LIVE Certified, MacRostie is Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, and Markham Vineyards is certified both Napa Green and Fish Friendly Farming. For more information, visit www.dvwinepartners.com.
