Russian River Valley Winery Pioneer, Dutton-Goldfield, Announces Leadership Transition
Company Welcomes Experienced Industry Executive Ed Thralls to Guide Next Phase of Growth
SEBASTOPOL, CA. May 17, 2024 – Honoring a 25+ year legacy as an independent, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, Dutton-Goldfield Winery is pleased to announce that wine industry veteran, Ed Thralls, will be joining the team as General Manager.
"I am honored to join the team at Dutton-Goldfield Winery and to have the opportunity to work with such exceptional wines, vineyards and talented individuals," said Ed Thralls. "I am deeply committed to building upon the winery's legacy of crafting distinctive, cool-climate wines and leading this pioneering brand forward in a highly competitive landscape."
Thralls is a seasoned executive with close to 30 years of leadership experience in wine and fintech software industries, harnessing an in-depth understanding of utilizing processes and technologies and inspiring teams to drive actionable business strategies. Prior to joining Dutton-Goldfield, Thralls held various leadership positions within the wine industry, including SVP Professional Services at Enolytics, President at Mira Winery in Napa Valley, General Manager at Benovia Winery in the Russian River Valley, and Director of Consumer Sales & Marketing at Flowers Vineyards & Winery on the Sonoma Coast. Thralls holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Science from the University of Florida, and an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University. He studied winemaking at UC Davis and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW).
“We are thrilled to have Ed join us to lead our team” said Dutton-Goldfield Winemaker and Co-founder Dan Goldfield. “Ed’s intelligence, organizational outlook, and broad experience are ideal for helping guide us in this evolving wine business environment. His collaborative nature, thoughtfulness, kindness, and willingness to jump in anywhere fit right in with our creative and independent team of people. We wish Valerie great success and pleasure in her new endeavors.”
Considering this transition, Dutton-Goldfield Winery also extends its heartfelt gratitude to Valerie Wathen for her remarkable contributions to the winery's success over the past 22 years. Wathen's leadership, dedication, and vision have played a pivotal role in shaping Dutton-Goldfield into the esteemed enterprise it is today.
"We are immensely grateful to Valerie Wathen for her unwavering commitment and leadership during her tenure as General Manager," said Steve Dutton, Co-Founder of Dutton-Goldfield Winery. "Her passion for our wines and her dedication to excellence have been instrumental in our growth and success. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and recognize that Dutton-Goldfield would not be the brand and business it is today without her 22 years of contribution and passion."
About Dutton-Goldfield:
When acclaimed winemaker Dan Goldfield and legacy farmer Steve Dutton decided to partner and craft their finest versions of Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, they established a legacy spanning over 25 years. Together, they continue to produce exceptional small lot wines sourced from Dutton Ranch's array of over eighty diverse vineyards in western Sonoma County, as well as vineyard designates from other select sites nurtured by old friends along the North Coast. Today, Dutton-Goldfield produces terroir-driven wines with the balance, structure and complexity that have defined Dan Goldfield’s 40-year winemaking career. Pinot Blanc, Syrah, and Zinfandel, along with our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay showcase the winery’s diversity, and mission to create food worthy, sustainable, and most importantly, enjoyable wines.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact Dan Goldfield at dan@duttongoldfield.com.