Privately-owned US wine group Bronco Wine Co has appointed Gallo veteran Deb Juergenson as its chief winemaking officer.
Juergenson (below) began in the role last month, according to LinkedIn. Bronco did not make it immediately clear whether the post has been newly created or, if not, who previously held it.
Juergenson first joined Gallo, then called E&J Gallo Winery, as a laboratory technician in 1995. She progressed through the company’s ranks and moved into winemaking, eventually becoming director of winemaking at the wine giant in 2018. Bronco said Juergenson contributed heavily to the “creation of the original blend and follow-up blends for Apothic” during her time with the rival.
“Her experience developing some of the country’s most successful wine brands, paired with her passion for winemaking innovation and craftsmanship, aligns perfectly with our vision for the future,” said Bronco CEO Dom Engels.
In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in June, Engels warned the wine industry against focusing only on premiumisation for long-term growth.
