Medford, Oregon – Oct. 4, 2023 – Naumes Crush & Fermentation (www.naumescf.com), a leading custom crush winery based in southern Oregon, announces an important leadership change.
After contributing significantly to NC&F’s success since its inception in 2015 and crafting many award-winning wines, Winemaker Chris Graves and his family will relocate to the southern Willamette Valley next year. There he will play a pivotal role in a promising startup winery and vineyard. Graves will continue to serve as Winemaker through the current vintage, transitioning to his new position in early 2024.
Assistant Winemaker Dustin Andries will step up to Winemaker, with Graves remaining in a consulting capacity. Andries brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having worked numerous vintages alongside renowned winemakers from around the world.
NC&F plans to recruit a highly qualified Business and Sales Manager who will work closely with Andries and Naumes family members. Both Graves and Andries will be directly involved in the recruitment and training of this crucial addition to the team.
“Everyone connected with Naumes Crush & Fermentation wishes Chris Graves the greatest success in his new endeavor,” said Laura Naumes, co-owner and CEO. “Chris has been an integral part of our business and we are confident Dustin will uphold the high winemaking standards Chris has set.”
About Naumes Crush & Fermentation
NC&F specializes in high-tech, integrated and customer-focused winemaking services. Centrally located near downtown Medford, Oregon, NC&F provides full-service custom crush, lab analysis, cold storage and support services to growers and wineries throughout the state and beyond. Opened in 2015, the 23,000-s.f. facility, formerly a pear storage and packing facility, was redesigned with state-of-the-art equipment to produce top-quality wines, as well as ciders and beers. Growing fruit commercially for over 100 years, the Naumes family is a leading producer of pears, apples, cherries and specialty items in the Pacific Northwest and California. Naumes Inc. has 100 acres of its 2,000-acre holdings in Oregon’s sunny Rogue Valley planted to premium wine grapes and plans to add more. Custom crush is a logical extension of the family’s rich agricultural heritage.
