O'Neill Vintners & Distillers

As we reflect on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, our hearts remain with all those affected, including our dedicated employees, distributors, and valued partners. At O'Neill, we are reminded of the enduring strength of community and the connections that unite us. We extend our heartfelt wishes for safety and resilience to those navigating these challenging times and express our deepest gratitude to the heroes whose selfless actions shine in moments of adversity.

Today, we are celebrating Ram's Gate Winery for this massive achievement in their sustainability journey: earning the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Certification! As Jeff O'Neill states, “Excellent winemaking and thoughtful winegrowing go hand in hand. We don’t greenwash; sustainability is a core value.”

Sustainable growing practices, building a sustainable future and being a force for good is embedded in our DNA 🌱 Learn more about our trial on regenerative organic viticulture, thanks to the highlight by WineBusiness Monthly featuring our O'Neill Head of Sustainability, Caine Thompson

Thank you Paste Magazine for featuring our winemaker, Joe Nielsen, for his innovative approach to Chardonnay here at Ram's Gate. "Expanding the scope of California Chardonnay" with elegant, balanced wines that highlight Sonoma's diverse terroir. 🌟 #Chardonnay #Sonoma #Winemaking #Innovation #Ram’sGate #Paste #Wine

We are proud to announce three key additions to our leadership team, underscoring our commitment to continued growth and excellence.   Ron Mertz joins us as Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy, poised to drive customer synergies and execute high-impact commercial initiatives.   We welcome Christina Rivera-Glenn as Vice President of Luxury Operations, and Jenna Kujundzich as Vice President of Luxury Brand Strategy, reinforcing our strategic focus on expansion in the luxury wine space. Rivera-Glenn leads the charge in shaping the luxury portfolio’s direct-to-consumer sales strategy, consumer experiences, and operations. Kujundzich is responsible for driving overall luxury brand and marketing strategy. We are thrilled for the passion and vision these leaders will bring to engage the hearts and minds of our consumers.

Join thought leaders, including our CFO Anuj Girdhar, at the Wine Industry Financial Symposium presented by Wine Business Monthly. As a Member of the Advisory Board for the conference, Anuj and his fellow members have strategically handcrafted two inspiring days of insight, discussion, collaboration, and networking. This is a program not to be missed!

O’Neill is happy to welcome Substance Wines to our portfolio, the highly awarded, top-selling Washington brand founded by visionary wine veteran Charles Smith. The Substance winemaking ethos – a fierce dedication to sustainability, old-world winemaking to preserve the integrity of Washington grapes, and consistent, over-delivering quality – was a natural fit for the O’Neill portfolio and an exciting introduction to Washington wines. “With Substance, Charles Smith has tapped into the ethos of Washington winemaking and, in collaboration with their winemakers, built critically acclaimed wines that deliver the essence of Washington’s terroir. We see tremendous opportunity to engage new consumers through this amazing brand and we look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional quality wines that surprise and delight consumers” – Jeff O’Neill. Read more on Substance, here: https://lnkd.in/g7J_tv4h

Cast your vote! We are incredibly proud to share that Robert Hall has been nominated by USA Today for “Best Winery Tour.” If you’ve joined us for an eBike Tour or our “Grape to Glass Excursion,” you know how compelling, impactful, and fun our tours are, centered around our biodynamic regenerative viticulture, underground caverns, and barrel tastings. Share your support with a vote, and we hope to see you at Robert Hall soon.

Join us in celebrating another amazing accolade for Ram’s Gate Winemaker, Joe Nielsen, MBA, who has been recognized as a “Star of California Chardonnay” in the July issue of Wine Spectator! During Joe’s tenure as Ram’s Gate winemaker, he has built a reputation for world-class wines alongside an environmentally friendly approach that has inspired enthusiasm for California Chardonnay.