Kurt Spann

Experience

• 

  Out of the Ordinary Work & Travel Experience

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1994

  Job Oddities

  Doorman & Barker, Zanzibar, Lagos, PortugalProduce Sales, Manzo Brothers, Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA, USACommercial Fisherman, Claymore Sea, Bering Sea, Alaska, USAHorse Holder, Bay Meadows Race Track, San Mateo, CA, USAChristmas Tree Sales, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA, USACocktail Waiter, The London Pub, Fuengirola, SpainDishwasher, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsLine Cook, Captain America's, Dublin, Ireland

• 

  Charles Krug Winery

  Jan 1997 - Jul 1997

  Assistant Tasting Room Manager

  Promoted from Tasting Room Sales.

• 

  Francis Ford Coppola Winery

  Jul 1997 - Oct 1999

  Wholesale Sales Manager/Midwest Sales Manager

  Known then as Niebaum~Coppola Estate Winery, now as Rubicon Estate Winery or simply Inglenook, my position entailed wholesale sales analysis with a concentration on international expansion. Supervision of all national and international sales and marketing activities. Sales management of thirteen Midwest distributors, including setting and reviewing annual sales goals/allocations and budgeting promotional activities. Federal and international compliance for export sales, state compliance coordination, depletion and allocation tracking. Promoted from previous winery positions including Sales & Marketing Supervisor, Sales Coordinator, Tasting Room Manager/Rubicon Room and Tasting Room Sales. Show less

• 

  Farrell Distributing

  Nov 1999 - Nov 2002

  On-Premise Sales Manager

  Managed southern Vermont on-premise and independent retail sales for Vermont's premier wine & beer wholesaler. Direct weekly responsibility for forty on-premise and five off-premise accounts. Brand Manager for Kobrand Corporation, Chateau Montelena, Pine Ridge, Waterbrook, Raymond and Whitehall Lane.

• 

  United Beverages, Inc.

  Nov 2002 - Jun 2005

  Vermont Wine Sales Manager

  Purchased by Southern Wine & Spirits in June 2005, United Beverages was a subsidiary of the United Group, which included United Liquors of Massachusetts. Please see above description for job duties and responsibilities.

• 

  Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

  Jun 2005 - Feb 2013

  Vermont Wine Sales Manager

  Managed Vermont wine sales for Diageo Chateau & Estates, Pernod Ricard USA, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Wente Family Estates, Shaw-Ross International, Wines Unlimited, Surville Enterprises, Pasternak Wine Imports, Maisons, Marques & Domaines, Selective Wine Estates and Bedford International portfolios. Responsibilities included programming, pricing, reporting and sales incentives for up to five wholesalers.

• 

  Winebow

  Jun 2013 - Mar 2015

  District Manager Maine & Vermont

  Managed Maine & Vermont wine sales across a network of five wholesalers. Educated distributor sales force, account staff and consumers, developed key account and distributor sales force relationships, implemented sales incentives, managed distributor inventory, conducted distributor sales meetings, and managed supplier visits.

• 

  Peju Winery

  May 2015 - Sept 2017

  Kurt managed and developed an extensive network of wholesalers and key accounts across twenty-five eastern U.S. markets, including MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, NY, NJ, PA, OH, MD, DE, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, TN, MS, AL, KY, MI, WI, IL & IN. Achieved annual sales targets and budgets through close coordination with executive and marketing teams. Managed wholesaler pricing, inventory, depletions & programs. Managed and developed a network of wholesalers and key accounts across sixteen eastern U.S. markets, including MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, NY, NJ, PA, OH, MD, DE, DC, VA, PA, GA & FL.Delivered 15% revenue plan for 2016 through strong increases in shipments +19%, depletions +27% and accounts sold +13%.

  • Regional Sales Manager - East

    Jan 2017 - Sept 2017

  • East Coast Regional Sales Manager

    May 2015 - Dec 2016
• 

  Dry Creek Vineyard

  Sept 2017 - now

  Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery located in the heart of Sonoma County. As the region’s first new winery following Prohibition, founder David Stare paved the way for a viticultural rebirth in this vibrant winegrowing appellation. Among other industry benchmarks, Dry Creek Vineyard is recognized as the first winery to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley, the first to use the term Meritage with the 1985 vintage and the first to coin the term “Old Vine” to describe pre-Prohibition era Zinfandel vineyards.This premier, family-owned winery is celebrating more than four decades of winemaking and is now led by Dave’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace. Dedicated to quality & innovation, Kim serves as President, overseeing a winemaking and grape growing business that includes 185 acres of 100% Certified Sustainable vineyards. Named one of the top 100 wineries of 2015 by Wine & Spirits Magazine!Kurt manages & supports Dry Creek Vineyard's wholesaler network in NY, NJ, PA, MA, RI, CT, ME, NH, VT, FL, GA, AL & MS and helps develop key accounts throughout the region. He is proud to dedicate himself to an authentic, family-owned & operated winery with such an excellent heritage in Sonoma County.. Show less

  • Regional Sales Director - East

    Aug 2020 - now

  • Regional Sales Director - Northeast

    Sept 2017 - Jul 2020