Hope Family Wines announces new leadership, staff promotions
Jason Ingles.
Paso Robles winery continues expansion with new appointments and facility upgrades
– Hope Family Wines has appointed Jason Ingles as head of national sales and announced four promotions within its sales division.
Ingles has more than 25 years of executive sales management experience. In his new role, he will lead national sales execution for the winery’s three-tier domestic business, overseeing six regional managers and their market teams. He previously held senior positions at RNDC in California, The Wine Group and Pepsi Beverage Company.
“Jason knows how to build teams, strengthen partnerships and drive results,” said Michael Mestas, vice president of sales at Hope Family Wines. “We’re thrilled to have him lead our national sales efforts and deepen our impact in the U.S. wine market.”
The winery also named Chelsea Ruddy director of retail chains for the western region. Ruddy has 15 years of wine industry sales experience as both a distributor and supplier. She will oversee retail chain activity in western states, managing relationships with buyers and supervising execution across the region.
Cody McGrew, head of e-commerce, will add responsibilities as director of retail chains for the central region. Eric Smith, regional manager for the southeast and a 10-year employee, will assume the added role of director of retail chains for the east. Kevin Eyster, a 25-year employee, will become head of strategic accounts.
“Our continued growth is driven by those who share our passion for setting the pace and elevating Paso Robles wines on the world stage,” said owner and winemaker Austin Hope. “Jason, Chelsea, Kevin, Eric and Cody each bring a deep understanding of who we are and where we’re headed next.”
Milestone year
The announcement follows several developments in a milestone year for Hope Family Wines, a family-owned winery established more than 45 years ago in Paso Robles.
In January, the winery opened a 140,000-square-foot warehouse and bottling facility to support global distribution and expansion. In April, it began converting its 67-acre estate vineyard in the Templeton Gap District to regenerative organic farming and launched “The Artists of Hope on Park,” a storytelling campaign centered on artwork in its downtown Paso Robles tasting room.
In July, Hope Family Wines named Regal Wine Company as its California distribution partner. In August, it announced the purchase of Tufera Farms, a 250-acre vineyard in the Creston District American Viticultural Area. The property will also produce organic truffles through Hope Provisions, the winery’s culinary division.
Hope Family Wines produces six brands: Austin Hope, Treana, Quest, Austin, Liberty School and Troublemaker. Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon is the nation’s second-bestselling luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, distributed in 47 countries.
Hope Family Wines was founded by Chuck and Marlyn Hope and is led by their son, Austin Hope. In 2022, the winery was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards.
More information is available at HopeFamilyWines.com.
