By Amy Looker
Tapanappa Wines has appointed Penny Claiborne as its new market manager, looking after the Sydney and Melbourne fine wine markets in both the on and off-premise sectors.
Claiborne previously worked for one of the USA’s largest fine wine stores, Sam’s of Chicago, as its director of the Australian and New Zealand department, before returning to Australia to work for Lion Nathan’s wine distribution arm, Fine Wine Partners.
Tapanappa Wines is a partnership between the Croser family of Adelaide Hills, the Cazes family of Lynch Bages in Bordeaux and the families of Champagne Bollinger.
Tapanappa Wines founder and winemaker, Brian Croser, said Claiborne was a natural fit for the company.
“I first met Penny in Sam’s of Chicago in 2000 and was so impressed by her fine wine professionalism and enthusiasm, I hoped our paths would cross again," he said.
"I am delighted Penny has decided to accept our offer to present Tapanappa and its wines to the leading sommeliers and fine wine retailers of Melbourne and Sydney.”