WWVWA New Leadership Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Big changes at the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance with the retirement September 2nd of Executive Director Robert Hansen.
Taking over for Hansen is Liz Knapke (kin-AP-key), the former Director of Communications who joined the Wine Alliance in Walla Walla back in early 2018 …
KNAPKE … “I’ve really fallen in love with the people, the place, the craft of the wine industry here. And, people often make fun of me, but I say that, I’ve been looking for this place my whole life. So it’s an incredible honor to serve the wine community here as well as the greater community in this industry.”
Especially, Knapke says with all the recognition Walla Walla’s wine industry has received in recent years …
KNAPKE … “For the past two years, we’ve been able to take home the USA Today’s 10-Best Leader’s Choice Award for the Best Wine Region three years in a row. So, we recently received that third crown. So, lots of exciting things that we’ve done, innovated our wine guide and worked through that time frame as a team.”
So, that and other honors, no pressure, right? …
KNAPKE … “Ha ha ha ha, yeah, it’s never been done before, to have a three-peat from a wine region. So, we also had Long Shadows Vintners take the Top Tasting Room in America too, so it’s really an exciting time here in the Walla Walla Valley.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on Knapke’s new post and the three-year strategic plan to strengthen the regional identy and on building the brand for Walla Walla Valley wines.
