Ste. Michelle appoints power duo after acquisition
A new leadership team has been appointed for the Washington giant, following the sale of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to The Wyckoff Family in December. db reports.
Just before Christmas, the drinks business reported that Sycamore Partners had sold Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, including all of its wine brands, facilities and vineyards to one of its top growers, The Wyckoff Family.
Having supplied Ste. Michelle with grapes since the 1980s, the Wyckoffs said that Ste. Michelle “has been the long-term driving force behind Washington’s wine industry”, adding that “we deeply believe in its outstanding portfolio of iconic Northwest wine brands.”
Ste. Michelle farms approximately 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) of vineyards across Washington, Oregon, and California, but owns a smaller portion of that total acreage.
This week a new power duo was appointed to lead the team following the acquisition, and both are internal hires.
Deep expertise
David Bowman has been appointed CEO, while Anna Mosier is Ste. Michelle’s new president and CFO. Bowman was previously CEO of Ste. Michelle’s California properties before becoming chief commercial officer at the company in 2023. Prior to joining Ste. Michelle he also held executive roles at Jackson Family Wines, The Wine Group and E. & J. Gallo.
Mosier has been with Ste. Michelle since 2024 as chief supply chain officer and CFO. She also previously worked at E. & J. Gallo, as well as at Procter & Ganble earlier in her career in financial and strategic planning.
“David is a true visionary with deep expertise in the wine industry, and Anna brings exceptional operational and financial leadership,” said Court Wyckoff, CEO of Wyckoff Farms and Coventry Vale Winery. “Together, their strategic and operational guidance will be critical.”
New CEO Bowman nodded to the producer’s “new chapter of family ownership” and hinted at ongoing investment.
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“It is a privilege to lead Ste. Michelle into this exciting new chapter of family ownership,” he said. “Like our Ste. Michelle team members, the Wyckoffs are excited about the evolution of our portfolio and the investments we are making in quality, from grape to glass.”
Moving talent
Shawn Conway, the former CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, left the company in October 2025, just months before its sale to The Wyckoffs, and has since become the CEO for renowned Napa Valley wine producer Far Niente.
“Few wineries can claim such a legacy of estate vineyards and steadfast commitment to craftsmanship,” Conway said at the time. “I am honoured to join the Far Niente team, whose artistry and passion continue to shape the Napa Valley story, and to build on a portfolio that has become a touchstone for wine lovers around the world.”
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is widely considered to have been the first premium wine company in Washington state, with roots dating back to 1933. Today it exports its Washington and Oregon-made wines to more than 100 countries through brands including Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ brands include Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, Liquid Light, Estival, Ethos, Spring Valley Vineyard, and Northstar. Ste. Michelle also serves as the sales agent for A to Z Wineworks, Erath, and Rex Hill.
New audience
As db reported, Washington wines are finding a new home in the UK with a spate of supermarket listings won last year. Calling Washington State “a real hidden gem”, Aldi’s chief commercial officer Julie Ashfield confirmed the retailer had added two Washington wines to its Spring/Summer 2025 range; a Merlot and a Syrah.
Other operators to champion wines from the region include Tesco, Majestic, Virgin Wines, Laithwaites and VINVM.
“Gaining recognition from major retailers such as Aldi UK is a landmark step in the right direction towards sharing the excellent wines of Washington State, that are already well loved by locals and professionals, with a wider audience,” said Kate Salisbury, international marketing manager at Washington State Wine Commission.
“We are excited to see more wines from Washington State on UK consumers’ tables in the coming months and can’t wait to share a slice of the Pacific Northwest with food & wine lovers up and down the country.”
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