Nanette Tempest has been named general manager of Winery Direct Distributors (WDD).

Tempest comes to WDD with a background that includes sales rep for Southern Wine & Spirits; California sales manager for Folie à Deux Winery; district sales manager for Regal Wine Co. (Kendall Jackson); and Louis M. Martini, St Helena, where Folie à Deus is located; and regional sales manager for Silver Oak Cellars.

“We’ll be delivering a higher level of service, focusing on the development of brands and offering profitability to our customers and winery partners,” says Tempest. “The largest distributors, which control over 70% of all wine and spirit sales in California, are driven primarily by their spirits portfolio; we’re being driven exclusively by a wine portfolio. This will result in greater profitability for our customers.

“We’ve been listening to California retail and restaurant buyers, and we learned what’s needed in the changed business climate – the present model used by the ‘big’ players has taught us what not to do; I’m excited.”

WDD is a relatively new distributor that has partnered with a top-level Bordeaux négociant and pan-European company, Distribution Internationale de Vins et Alcools (DIVA) of France. DIVA’s portfolio includes Chateau Saint Dominique – a Baron de Rothschild Chateau – and Balthasar Ress Estate Wines of Germany.

WDD’s portfolio includes Italy’s Riondo, known for its top-selling prosecco and Pink Spago Argento; Argentina’s 1919 malbec; and California wines.

Tempest lives in the San Francisco North Bay area.