Jeffrey Meisel

Conceptualized and launched the Fine Wine Project for The Duckhorn Portfolio. Built the Fine Wine Luxury Sales playbook for The Duckhorn Portfolio wholesale sales team and distributor sales teams to be executed to sell the six most iconic wines in the portfolio across Kosta Browne, Calera and Duckhorn Vineyards. Leveraging the power of story-telling, authentic video content and maps, and the proper way to taste with wine directors of the best independent on-premise and select off-premise accounts across the USA to build lasting sales and relationships while building brand awareness at the highest level. Project included:

• Cross-functional leadership: reported to CSO and CEO, worked closely with Division VP of Sales
• Architect of the entire project: created, built and executed the vision into a sustainable initiative
• External stakeholders included: Distributor Executives, Portfolio Managers, Sales Managers and specialists

• As Consulting General Manager, provided strategic leadership and management across the entire business, encompassing DTC, wholesale distribution, marketing, and indirect management of winemaking operations.
• Oversaw $34M+ in annual revenue, driving a profitable channel mix of 75% high-margin DTC and 25% wholesale.
• Led cross-functional teams to ensure operational efficiency, financial growth, and sustainable competitive advantage.
• Championed luxury consumer experiences by developing innovative hospitality programs and engagement strategies that enhanced customer loyalty and strengthened brand prestige.
• Elevated brand position and equity through integrated marketing initiatives, strategic partnerships, and impactful storytelling that resonated with target audiences.
• Led cross-functional teams to drive operational efficiency and achieve financial growth while establishing a sustainable competitive advantage.
• Oversaw the growth and expansion of the Kosta Browne Burgundy project.

• As consulting SVP Brand Management of the luxury portfolio, provided strategic leadership across all brand management and marketing functions for Duckhorn Vineyards, Goldeneye, Calera, and Kosta Browne.
• Directed integrated brand, marketing, and communications strategy to strengthen positioning and drive portfolio growth across all channels.
• Kicked off Duckhorn Vineyards’ 50th Anniversary omnichannel campaign, aligning heritage storytelling with modern consumer engagement.
• Led comprehensive brand positioning initiative for Duckhorn Vineyards and Calera, refining brand architecture and market differentiation.
• Oversaw multiple agency partners across marketing, branding, media, public relations, and operations to ensure excellence and alignment.
• Led cross-functional teams to optimize operational efficiency, accelerate financial performance, and sustain competitive advantage.
• Led wholesale sales training for internal and distributor partners.
• Oversaw $7M marketing budget.

• Advised on tech stack transformation for The Duckhorn Portfolio websites and DTC, enhancing digital strategy.
• Served as advisor to change management, DTC, and Brand teams, coordinating with tech stack partners to facilitate transitions.
• Collaborated with CEO, CTO, and SVP DTC to align technology initiatives with business objectives.

• Vice President & General Manager, DTC, Wine & Spirits
• Headed the DTC Center of Excellence. In April 2022, stood up this new channel at Constellation Brands to oversee one of three core revenue channels of the Wine & Spirits Division (US Wholesale and International are the other two). DTC at Constellation brings together three key sub-channels: (1) DTC eCommerce, (2) Hospitality - because the consumer journey often begins on-site! (3) Consumer Loyalty, which includes Clubs / Recurring Revenue, Corporate/Direct Sales, and DTC Luxury Ambassadors. Additionally, my leadership team consisted of 4 key cross-functional areas: DTC Operations, DTC Finance, DTC IT, and DTC Creative Services, in addition to a PMO.
• As the General Manager of DTC, I led and oversaw the P&L for all of the "sites": websites and hospitality sites. We are also the tip of the spear for global consumer engagement and awareness for all of our wineries and distilleries. I am proud to have led this diverse and incredible team. The DTC Center of Excellence provides thought leadership, strategy, vision, and processes for the entire division. Additionally, I lead the ongoing technology transformation, including onboarding a CDP across all brands.
• Led a team of over 150 FTE and over $80M net sales.
• Generated over 34% YoY Net Sales growth in first full year in role, 59% GP.
• +10% YoY Net Sales growth in second full year in role, 60% GP, +20% over market & competitive set.
• In my final partial fiscal year, on pace to hit the plan, which is +10% YoY Net Sales and 61% GP.
• Managed DTC tech stack transformation for multiple brands.

As General Manager of Brand Integration, worked closely with the Corporate Development team, in addition to leading the business side of due diligence prior to deal closing. From there, I worked closely with a variety of teams across the company to integrate the talented team of people that joined Constellation from the wineries acquired, while maintaining the cultural identity, integrity and preserving the quality of the wines produced. Served as General Manager of the acquisition brands:

• Acquired November 2021: Booker Vineyard / My Favorite Neighbor / Harvey & Harriett, Paso Robles, CA
• Acquired March 2022: Lingua Franca, Willamette Valley, OR.
• Full P&L accountability for the brands, owning the AOP and LRP while navigating competing priorities across the company, as well as the challenges of building alignment with the acquisition model.
• Built omni-channel sale strategy and responsible for executing with all sales teams.
• Led new product development and line extensions for both wholesale and DTC channels.
• Accountable for launching new products across all channels.

As VP of Brand Development, I focused on elevating the brand reputation and increasing market share of Long Meadow Ranch Winery, Hunt & Harvest Wines, and Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. Achieved this through trade and industry relations, brand events, diverse partnerships, education, public relations, and sales.

• Brand management: Created a 360 strategic plan and executed to increase awareness and build sustainable sales growth across wholesale and DTC.
• Business Development: developed, built & executed partnerships. Examples include Tesla, NetJets, and Marriott.
• Education & Ambassador: led and executed brand and wine education both internally and externally.
• Innovation: Develop new products for commercial release, from idea to finished product. Successfully launched Hunt & Harvest Rose in single-serve cans. Successfully launched new to world Anderson Valley appellation wines.
• PR & Comms: Lead all public relations, communications, advertising, community, and paid media.
• DTC: lead team for two years and oversaw growth in all channels: ecommerce, telesales, wine club, and hospitality.
• Mergers & Acquisitions: led integration of brand marketing and DTC teams when Stony Hill was acquired.

• Developed and executed marketing strategies, driving 20% sales increase for wines priced above $35 and expanding customer base by 18% in six months.
• The company was founded in 2001 by Cameron Hughes and Jessica Kogan as an American Negociant, offering exceptional wines at extraordinary prices.
• Directed strategic initiatives to enhance brand visibility and market share in wine industry.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies to drive customer engagement and retention.
• Oversaw financial performance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and growth targets.

As president and founder of the luxury wine and spirits retail ecommerce business, Merchants of Beverage, I created the concept, personally worked with developers, and built the business model for what was the most elegant online destination for flawless client and corporate gifting of highly curated wine and spirits. We leveraged cutting-edge technology tools to change the way consumers and businesses send gifts and purchase DTC wine and spirits.

We believed that gifting amazing wine and spirits to clients in an elegant platform is an essential tool to build relationships - it shows appreciation, care, and class.

• In 2014, integrated Twilio text messaging, an innovative instant gifting feature that upgraded the way people, especially businesses, sent gifts.
• 99.6% redemption rate of gifts sent electronically.
• $5M run rate for the first full calendar year.

• Wine & Spirits Director, GiltCity, Wine Director, GiltTaste
• Reported to COO and President of GiltCity. Created digital marketing programs across Gilt channels, partnering with wine and spirits companies. Developed and managed strategic partnerships with brands including Pernod-Ricard, Bacardi, Diageo, Dom Perignon, Krug, and Veuve Clicquot.
• Reported to Co-Founder of Gilt Groupe. Designed and implemented retail network for 3-tier DTC e-commerce of wine and spirits across multiple states. Developed and executed comprehensive sales, marketing, and strategic plans, resulting in revenue growth from $0 to $2.7M in 12 months.
• Gilt was an innovative online shopping destination that offered members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences every day, many at insider prices. Gilt City, the local lifestyle site from the Gilt Groupe, offered memorable adventures and exclusive offers that seek to inspire and encourage our luxury-minded members to love their city more.

Founded in 1999, Domaine Select was a leading US importer, wholesaler and marketer of Fine Wines and Spirits, representing more than 80 world-class producers in 14 countries. In 2010, Domaine Select was awarded Food & Wine Magazine's Importer of the Year. Executed sales and marketing plans for over fifty wineries and twelve distilleries. Developed proprietary brands from concept to national distribution. Over the ten years:

• Led National Accounts, on and off premise, including Costco, Marriott and more.
• Business Development: included partnerships with restaurant groups and producers, and ecommerce retailers
• New Product Development: launched new to world wines and spirits through our producer partners, from concept to execution, from $15 wines to $100 Barolo.
• National Sales: led the first national sales team for the company, with three regional managers, and over thirty distributors. Created strategic alliances with SWS, Young’s and a range of independent distributors.
• Launched & led California direct wholesale distribution business with four sales reps for portfolio of 22 artisanal European producers
• Responsible for over $16M in net sales with company sales of $95M when departed in 2011

• Co-founder and VP, Business Development
• WiredKitchen was the first B2B online marketplace to connect chefs of independent restaurants with their purveyors.
• Developed business plan and raised $2M in Angel and Venture Capital.
• Developed strategic partnerships with restaurants and purveyors.
• Developed and implemented sales & marketing strategy and revenue model.
• Created and led advisory Board of industry leaders including Charlie Palmer and Charles Phan, and Marriott EVP Joe Guzzo.