Oregon, February 20, 2025 – Wine by Joe/Dobbes Family Winery, one of Oregon’s largest wine producers, has announced the appointment of Kari Mahe as its new Chief Executive Officer. This appointment reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing internal talent and preserving its legacy of excellence, while embracing creative leadership. The promotion coincides with the elevation of four key team members to director positions: Derek Einberger, Director of Winemaking, Michelle Bolliger, Director of Sales, Juli Eagle, Director of DTC & Marketing and Erin Gray, Director of Operations.
Since its founding in 2002, Wine by Joe/Dobbes Family Winery has maintained its dedication to crafting authentic Oregon varietals while fostering a collaborative environment that values every team member’s contribution. This philosophy has been instrumental in transforming the small family winery into a respected industry leader, known for both its exceptional wines and its people-first approach.
Mahe’s journey with the winery began in 2015, culminating in her role as General Manager in 2021. Her leadership style has consistently emphasized the importance of team synergy and collective growth. Drawing from her background in accounting and construction, Mahe has effectively cultivated a space where technical skill blends with creative ingenuity, guaranteeing that every department—from production to hospitality—functions cohesively while upholding the winery’s core values.
“Kari is the perfect candidate to lead us into the next chapter,” said Sam Bronfman, Managing Partner of Bacchus Capital and co-owner of the winery since 2011. “She has been integral to the growth and expansion of Wine by Joe/Dobbes Family Winery and has demonstrated exceptional leadership.”
In her role as CEO, Mahe will continue to foster the spirit of teamwork that has become a hallmark of the winery while expanding both the Wine by Joe and Dobbes Family Winery portfolios. Her vision encompasses strengthening private label and custom crush opportunities while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality that have defined the winery since its inception. Her commitment to industry leadership extends to active engagement with trade organizations and state-level wine groups, ensuring the winery’s voice contributes to shaping Oregon’s wine future.
“Under my leadership, we will continue to grow our community and attract a new generation of wine enthusiasts,” said Mahe. “Our goal is to evolve while maintaining the vibrant culture that makes Wine by Joe/Dobbes Family Winery so special.”
Rob Rupe, Managing Partner at Bacchus Capital, noted that Mahe’s promotion represents the natural evolution of the winery’s commitment to fostering internal talent. “Having worked closely with Kari, I’m confident she’s exceptionally well-prepared for this role. Her ability to balance tradition with innovation while maintaining strong team relationships makes her the ideal leader for our next chapter.”
Mahe’s leadership is strengthened by the collective support of the winery’s expert leadership team and the continued partnership with Bacchus Capital’s Sam Bronfman and Rob Rupe, ensuring that the winery’s legacy of excellence and innovation continues to thrive.
About Dobbes Family Winery, Wine By Joe and Dundee Vintners
At Dobbes Family Winery and Wine By Joe, located in the heart of Dundee, Oregon, our roots are solid, but our approach is fresh. We are a hard-working urban winery driven by an unrelenting commitment to produce a portfolio of standout wines, while embracing new possibilities and delivering an evolved wine experience for everyone we interact with. We source grapes from both trusted and emerging terroirs, respecting nature’s changes and continuously exploring opportunities in varietal, character and taste. Our group of dynamic people and partners take pride in every single aspect of our business and output. Dobbes Family Winery and Wine by Joe are new world wines, honoring tradition, but never bound by convention. For more information, visit Dobbes’ website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, as well as Wine By Joe’s website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
About Bacchus Capital Management
Bacchus Capital Management is an investment firm providing strategic capital, making equity investments in United States wineries and wine businesses. Current Bacchus portfolio companies are DeLille Cellars, Nine North, Panther Creek Cellars, Sbragia Family Vineyards, and Dobbes Family Winery / Wine By Joe. Prior Bacchus portfolio companies are Andretti Winery, Cameron Hughes Wine, Madrigal Family Winery and Qupé. For more information, visit https://bacchuswinefund.com/.
