Willamette Valley Vineyards Appoints Wine.com Founder Michael Osborn as Chief Executive Officer

Core Insights - Willamette Valley Vineyards has appointed Mike Osborn as the new CEO, succeeding founder Jim Bernau, who will remain as President and Chairperson as part of a long-term succession plan [1][2][5] - The leadership change is aimed at accelerating the company's growth and enhancing its market presence, particularly in the evolving wine market [2][5] Company Overview - Willamette Valley Vineyards was founded in 1983 by Jim Bernau, who has built it into a respected winery known for its commitment to community ownership and environmental stewardship [2][5] - The winery has been recognized for its high-quality Pinot Noir and has received accolades such as "One of America's Great Pinot Noir Producers" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine [5] - The company operates under a unique shareholder model, with thousands of wine enthusiasts as co-owners, and has expanded to include 10 tasting rooms across Oregon, Washington, and California [4][5] Leadership Background - Mike Osborn, the new CEO, is known for founding Wine.com and has extensive experience in wine retail, having built it into the leading online wine retailer in the U.S. over the past 27 years [3] - Osborn's leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the winery, focusing on enhancing its national and global presence while maintaining its core values of integrity, community, and quality [4][5]