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James Suckling hires former Napa winery GM as new publisher
American wine critic James Suckling has hired a former general manager at Napa’s Quintessa winery as his company’s new publisher to help expand his company’s global growth especially in China.
Having worked for nearly a decade in the wine trade first with Treasury Wines Estates and then with Napa’s Quintessa Winery as general manager, Meaghan Qian-Fu Becker has joined JamesSuckling.com as publisher, overseeing all business and operational matters for the business, the company has announced.
Prior to joining the wine business, the Harvard MBA graduate worked in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street. She was born in Nanjing, China, and spent equal parts of her life in China, Canada and the US.
“I am excited about the international perspective and strategic thinking Meaghan brings to JamesSuckling.com,” said James Suckling, founder and editor, on the hire. “We have seen tremendous growth globally, particularly China, and Meaghan is uniquely suited to help us build on that momentum. She will also provide me with the opportunity to focus on enhancing our editorial platform with my son and team.”
Becker, who will be based in Napa Valley, remarked: “It is such an honour to join James in this endeavour. In my previous role as a wine producer, I had a front row seat to the genuine curiosity and appreciation James had for not just the wines, but also the places, stories and people behind the wines.
“For me, that is the soul of the wine business, and the magic that connects great wines with today’s wine drinkers. I am tremendously excited about the opportunities ahead and to play a small part in increasing the appreciation for wine around the world,” she continued.
The wine critic is rapidly expanding his footprint in mainland China, launching his Great Wines of the World, Bordeaux Confidential and Great Wines of Andes events series to mainland China with the country’s leading wine importer COFCO Wine & Wine.
His Bordeaux Confidential event will return to Hong Kong 25 May, followed by his inaugural Asian edition of Great Wines of the Andes on 1 June.
Why aren’t we all so tremendously excited?
Interesting considering how she ruined Quintessa’s hospitality program and employee morale.