By Ian Neubauer
Victoria’s Wingara Wine Group — the parent company of Deakin Estate, Katnook and Crackerjack brands — has appointed Diego Jimenez as CEO.
Jimenez is a member of the Ferrer family from Spain — owners of Spain’s Freixenet Group and majority shareholders of Wingara. Freixenet is the world’s largest producer of Méthode Traditionelle wines, producing more than 10 million cases a year.
Jimenez was managing director of Freixenet USA between 1997 and 2001 and the director of Freixenet Argentina between 2004 and 2007.
Jimenez said he planned to develop the Wingara brand in Australia and overseas. “My intention is to consolidate the Wingara business domestically and grow through new product development and expanding export markets.”
“When living in the US, I witnessed the professionalism and dynamism of the Australian wine industry. Now that I am involved on a day to day basis, I am impressed with Australian viticulture, winemaking and marketing and greatly look forward to working in the industry,” he said.
Jimenez will be based in Wingara’s South Melbourne office.