Justin Knock MW leaves California Wine Institute

Justin Knock MW has left his role as the UK director of the California Wine Institute, and the UK team will now be led by joint directors, Justine McGovern and Damien Jackman.

Damien Jackman and Justine McGovern are the joint UK directors of the California Wine Institute

Knock, who joined the CWI in November 2016 as both a trade representative and brand ambassador promoting California wine in the UK, has left his role, the CWI said in a statement.

“The CWI team thank Justin for his time working on California wine and wish him the best for future wine endeavours,” the statement added.

The news follows the recent appointment of Honore Comfort as the California Wine Institute’s vice president of international marketing at the firm’s HQ in San Francisco.

Comfort joined the team in April and brings extensive experience in international wine marketing, brand strategy and wine export sales to the role.

“As we begin our new fiscal year, we are mapping out our strategies and growth plans, not only for this year, but for the next 3-5 years. It’s an exciting time for California wine with up and coming winemakers making fresh, appealing wines and looking for new markets,” Comfort said.

“At the same time, there is a long history of innovation in California’s wine industry that is not well known. We are thrilled to have Justine and Damien in the UK bringing these wines, and the stories behind them, to the market,” she added.

The institute has announced its calendar of activities for 2020, which will include the two tiers of tastings: Essential California, which will focus on wines under £50, and Collectable California, focussing on wines over £50.