May 29th – WASHINGTON, DC — WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries based in Washington, DC, has elected as its new Board Chair Scott Osborn, President and Co-owner of Fox Run Vineyards in New York’s Finger Lakes wine region.
The election occurred on May 8 at the organization’s annual “fly-in” conference in Washington, when winery and association members from around the country convened to meet with their Senators and Representatives about WineAmerica’s legislative and regulatory priorities. Scott served the past two years as Vice Chair, before that two years as Treasurer, and has been a Board member since 2018.
“We are delighted that Scott will serve as the Chair of our Board for the next two years,” said Jim Trezise, WineAmerica’s President. “His tenure on our Board, experience in other leadership positions, and active membership in many other associations provide assurances that he will contribute much to WineAmerica’s advancement as an organization.”
WineAmerica has winery and association members from 46 states, and focuses on federal public policy to protect and enhance the business climate for the American wine industry. The organization has a 17-member Board of Directors from around the country, with the Washington, DC office staffed by Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs Michael Kaiser, and Vice President of Development Tara Good.
“I feel privileged that my colleagues on the WineAmerica Board have entrusted me with this responsibility and honor,” said Osborn. “WineAmerica was actually born 46 years ago about 20 miles south of Fox Run, in Watkins Glen at the southern end of Seneca Lake, and has grown from a tiny regional group into a highly respected national organization. Our recent DC meetings showed how effective this organization has become.”
Scott and his wife Ruth Osborn have been owners of Fox Run Vineyards since 1994, and the winery has won many accolades over the years—including Best of Show White Wine for its 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling at the recent Pacific Rim International Wine Competition in California. He has also been very active in regional winery associations such as the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and New York Wine Policy Institute. Scott’s leadership role in those organizations has prepared him for his new role in WineAmerica.
During WineAmerica’s recent leadership transition, Dana Huber, VP, Distribution & Public Relations of Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery in Indiana, was elected Vice Chair; and Chris Brundrett, Founder/Winemaker of William Chris Wine Company in Texas as Treasurer. The Board paid special tribute to Debra Dommen, based in Napa Valley and serving Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs at Treasury Wine Estates Americas, for the two years she just served as Chair, with Board members sending her their favorite wines as an all-American “thank you”. She will remain on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.
