NEWBERG, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A to Z Wineworks, Oregon’s Largest Winery, has just been named one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine. Released today, the Inc. 5000 List recognizes companies based on their percentage of revenue growth over a four-year period.
A to Z has seen a 30 percent growth in retail sales in 2015, with Chardonnay sales in the US growing at a rate of 42 percent. Their wines are carried by a variety of national retailers and restaurants, including Whole Foods, Flemings and Capital Grille.
In addition to revenue growth, A to Z Wineworks is expanding its facilities to meet increased production demands. Another 14,000 square feet of production space was recently added at A to Z’s REX HILL winery site in Newberg, Oregon, with an additional 20,000 square feet to be added in 2016.
Since purchasing the now 34-year-old REX HILL Vineyards in 2007, A to Z has invested $23 million in expansion and infrastructure improvements, and increased onsite capacity from 40,000 to 400,000 cases.
“Our multi-year, double-digit growth indicates increasingly wide recognition of Oregon as a very special winegrowing region in the global market,” said A to Z President Amy Prosenjak.
“Our recent B Corp certification reflects our leadership in modeling best practices not only in business, but for the environment and community,” said A to Z Founder and CEO Bill Hatcher. “We remain committed to the quality, efficiency and safety we established from the start.”
The staff at A to Z Wineworks is growing, too. Founding Winemakers Cheryl Francis and Sam Tannahill announce the promotion of Michael Davies to Executive Winemaker and welcome Don Crank, from Willamette Valley Vineyards, as Red Winemaker joining Assistant Winemaker, Olivier Prost.
“Michael has been an integral part of our success as we grew from ten-fold,” Tannahill said. “His drive for excellence serves our commitment to quality and one blend for each variety.”
Davies has served as Winemaker at A to Z for eight years. A New Zealand native, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Scandinavian Studies and Political Science at the University of Auckland, and a post-graduate Diploma in Viticulture & Oenology from Lincoln University. Prior to joining A to Z, he served for six years at Chehalem Wines as the Vineyard Manager and Assistant Winemaker. He has also worked in Burgundy, California, in the Hunter Valley of Australia, and in numerous regions of New Zealand.
Crank studied biochemistry and food science while working in Purdue University’s wine lab. After graduating, he joined Willamette Valley Vineyards as a cellar hand in 2003 and worked his way up to Winemaker in 2006.
About A to Z Wineworks
A to Z Wineworks, Oregon’s largest winery, began in Founder Deb Hatcher’s kitchen in 2002. The company certified as a B Corporation in 2014 and was honored by B Corp as a Best for the World for community in 2015. A to Z has also been designated as a Top 100 small company in Oregon with particular recognition for leadership. Even with its steep growth curve, A to Z has continued to make only one blend for each wine varietal in keeping with the founding mission of offering the highest quality wines for the best value.
