Former Opus One personnel join Patrimony in Paso Robles

Top end California Cabernet producer Patrimony from Daou Family Estates has taken on three senior sales people from Napa’s Opus One winery, plus a somm from The French Laundry.

Joining Patrimony from Opus One is:

• Chris Avery, who becomes senior vice president, sales and marketing at Patrimony, comes from Demeine Estates where he was president, after spending four years as vice president of sales and marketing at Opus One.
• Steve Palumbo, who becomes vice president of sales, Western United States at Patrimony, joins from Opus One, where he was Western United States sales manager for 21 years.
• Nick Holmes, who becomes vice president of sales, Eastern United States at Patrimony, joins from Demeine Estates, where he was vice president of sales, after spending four years as regional sales director, Northwest, at Opus One.

Patrimony is also taking on former head sommelier from The French Laundry, Erik Johnson, who becomes estate director at the wine estate.

Patrimony is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Daou Mountain in the Adelaida District AVA of Paso Robles. It was started by winemaker Daniel Daou, who founded Daou Family Estates with his brother Georges in 2007, and set out to establish the Adelaida District as the world’s next benchmark for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2010 they conceived Patrimony, and the inaugural 2013 vintage earned 98 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and each successive vintage has been met with similar critical praise.

“These four new leaders will be critical in taking Patrimony to new heights, and introducing it to the world,” said Daniel Daou, co-proprietor and winemaker at Daou Family Estates.