By Andy Young
The general manager of winemaking at Villa Maria, Alastair Maling MW, is leaving the New Zealand producer after 12 years.
Maling, who will remain in his current post until the end of June “to ensure a seamless transition” of his duties to the rest of the Villa Maria winemaking team, is heading to fellow Kiwi producer Foley Family Wines.
Villa Maria's CEO Sir George Fistonich, wished Maling well in his new role, saying: "Alastair has played an important role in the development of Villa Maria and has ensured that deep rooted foundations have been laid to maintain the quality of our winemaking portfolio as the business has grown."
"We know that Alastair will enjoy his new challenge at Foley Family Wines, but also that he will always be a Villa Maria advocate, working to keep New Zealand wine at the cutting edge. We wish Alastair well for the future and are excited by the opportunities that change will bring for him and us, both for our people and our business."
Foley Family Wines CEO, Mark Turnbull, was understandably happy about Maling joining his team.
"Alastair brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, not just of viticulture and winemaking but from a sales and marketing and commercial and strategic perspective," Turnbull said.
"His addition to the senior management team will help take the business to the next level, providing the capabilities we need to move it forward."
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