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Roger Carrillo Promoted to Director of Hospitality

SANTA ROSA, CA (December 14, 2011) - Benovia Winery has promoted Roger Carrillo to Director of Hospitality, according to Benovia Co-owner, Winemaker & General Manager Mike Sullivan.

For the past 15 months, Mr. Carrillo has served as Benovia's Wine Educator, guiding numerous visitors through tastings at the Russian River Valley winery and helping them gain a greater appreciation for Benovia's exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel wines.

As Director of Hospitality, Mr. Carrillo will continue to host tastings at Benovia, with additional duties that include managing the winery's tasting room in the Benovia Visitors Center, and ensuring vacationing guests are thrilled with their stays in Benovia's vineyard guest cottage. Mr. Carrillo will also be responsible for promoting greater awareness of Benovia Winery throughout the community by strengthening relationships with other area vintners, as well as establishing partnerships with a variety of local tourism and hospitality groups.

A native of California, Mr. Carrillo received his B.A. in History and teaching credentials from Sonoma State University, and did graduate studies at San Francisco State University.  Mr. Carrillo brings plenty of  customer service and management experience to his new position at Benovia, having worked for the City of Tucson for 30 years including 26 years with the Tucson Police Department before retiring and returning to Sonoma County.  "My goal is to provide every Benovia visitor with a full sensory experience of Mike's wines, and a deeper understanding why each one reflects the varietal so perfectly," Mr. Carrillo said. "I love it when our guests leave with a memorable experience - and at least a few bottles of their favorite Benovia wines!"

Winemaker Mike Sullivan said Benovia customers are always impressed after a personal tasting with Mr. Carrillo. "Roger's personal warmth, incredible knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm for our wines really makes for the consummate wine-tasting experience for our guests - we're thrilled he's on the Benovia team and so are our guests," Mr. Sullivan said.

ABOUT BENOVIA

Founded by husband and wife team Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane, and joined by winemaker partner Mike Sullivan, Benovia Winery farms more than 72 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel from estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County. The name of the winery is derived from Joe and Mary's fathers' names, Novian Anderson and Ben Dewane. Established in 2005, Benovia's mission is to create iconic and thought-provoking "Grand Cru quality" Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel wines. Benovia wines are sold through an allocation system direct to customers, as well as distributed to select restaurants nationwide. Total production for the current release (2009 vintage) is approximately 4,000 cases. Winery tastings and tours are available daily by appointment only. Benovia Winery, 3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. (707) 526-4441. www.BenoviaWinery.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mike Sullivan (707) 526-4441

Mike@BenoviaWinery.com

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