LIVERMORE, Calif. (May 30, 2023) – Wente Vineyards, America’s longest, continuously family-owned and operated winery, announced the promotion of Andy Lynch to Director of Safety, Quality and Sustainability. Lynch’s newly created role marks the winery’s first leadership position with a direct focus on sustainable programming, aligning with Wente Vineyards’ core goals. In addition to his work overseeing the brand’s overall sustainability efforts
Lynch has been employed with Wente Vineyards since 2006, beginning initially as a Lab Assistant before moving to become an Enologist, Assistant Winemaker and then Winemaker. Most recently he was the Head of Quality, responsible for the creation of Wente Vineyards’ quality and food safety systems and served as the Safety Manager for the winegrowing organization. He also played a crucial role in the implementation of a new state-of-the-art bottling line, designed for energy efficiency, while accommodating the lighter, more carbon-neutral glass for all new vintage bottles in the winery’s portfolio.
“Over the course of his longstanding tenure at Wente Vineyards, Andy has demonstrated a commitment to developing a culture of safety, quality and sustainability and we’re thrilled to expand his role,” said Niki Wente, Director of Vineyard Operations, who worked with Lynch as part of the third-party sustainability audit conducted in 2022. “He not only brings strong leadership, but also a creative presence to the team while underscoring a commitment to push our sustainability program to the next level.”
Wine was not Andy’s first passion; in fact, he earned a degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Davis, but fell into the wine industry by chance. A creative at heart, Lynch loves to learn and mentor others, something that is afforded to him in his new position. His expanded role allows him the growth opportunity to further shape the culture of the company and underscore the importance of safety while still striving to achieve new, aggressive sustainability goals.
2023 marks Wente Vineyards’ 140th anniversary, and the team has upped the ante on their long-term sustainability goals. Expanding the Director of Safety and Quality role to now include Sustainability is part of that vision. As the Director of Safety, Quality and Sustainability, Lynch will take an even more strategic position conceptualizing and advocating for creative sustainability initiatives, that transcend even those that recently earned Wente Vineyards the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award, given to one winery each year and recognizing leadership in ethical practices that span both vineyards and winery as well as socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.
On the heels of the bottling line refresh in 2022, this year Wente Vineyards will also complete a significant packaging refresh for its entire estate portfolio, transitioning to lighter, more carbon-neutral glass for its bottles. Overseen by Lynch, these bottles will also feature the winery’s Sustainable Vineyard and Winery certification center-stage on all front labels to educate the consumer on ethical imbibing.
Lynch also co-leads the annual certification process for the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), working with the team to ensure that Wente Vineyards’ methods are in line with the evolution of sustainable grape growing in the state. He will also continue to oversee the winemaking for the brand’s Nth Degree, handcrafted, small-production wines that represent the very best from family-owned vineyards in Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco.
“Safety, quality and sustainability aren’t just buzzwords – we have worked hard to create a culture that values these pillars and I’m honored to continue this important work,” said Lynch. “I look forward to pushing myself and our team to find new avenues of sustainability so we can remain leaders in our field while producing a quality product.”
In addition to his sustainability goals, Andy is looking ahead to obtain SQF certification (Safe Quality Food), which is a rigorous food and safety quality program that is recognized by food service providers worldwide.
Andy will continue to report directly into Tony Coleman, Senior Vice President of Operations & Supply Chain, “Andy has been an integral team member at Wente Vineyards for nearly two decades and we are looking forward to his continued leadership and innovative thinking for the future.”
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Family Estates has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously family-owned and operated winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, with women leading the charge from grape to glass. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. The Wente Family Estates portfolio includes an array of consumer brands, such as Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Angels Ink, Ravel & Stitch, Hayes Ranch and more.
In 2010, Wente Family Estates joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes and designation for both their estate vineyards and winery. In April 2022, the company won the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award. This award is given to one winery each year and recognizing leadership in sustainable practices that span both its vineyards and winery as well as the estate’s socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards – Wente Family Estates’ flagship estate label – is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, food and wine experiences, outdoor wine & music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman.
