Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), welcomed Napa Valley’s Karen Cakebread, Owner of Ziata Wines, for an education session in September. Cakebread launched Ziata in 2008 after 20 years of marketing Napa Valley and its wines, naming the brand for her mother, Mary Annunziata Webb. Ziata Wines include a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and Meteor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. “I had two goals: to create beautifully structured wines that reflect the vineyards they come from and to be involved in every aspect of making wine,” Cakebread said. CDI also welcomed WhistlePig Rye Whiskey for another September in-house launch. Amanda Doll, CDI’s Learning and Development Director; Charles Sachs, WhistlePig Senior Steward; and Barnaby Hawken, WhistlePig Chief Sales Officer and National Sales Director, led the team through the history of the Vermont-based brand. The portfolio tasting led through the age-staged ryes created by industry pioneer and master distiller the late Dave Pickerel.
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- Karen Cakebread, Owner, Ziata Wines with the Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), team.
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- Ziata Sauvignon Blanc, Ziata Pinot Noir and Ziata Meteor Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted by Karen Cakebread and Winemaker Jennifer Williams. Said Cakebread, “Creating Ziata gave me this outlet for all of my passions. Choosing where we source our fruit, working closely with our growers and our winemaker, building strong connections with our customers – I love being able to put my personal touch on all of it.”
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- Amy Stillman, Senior Regional Manager, Trinchero Family Estates; Karen Cakebread, Owner Ziata Wines; and Erika Smatana, Director Heritage Collection, Trinchero Family Estates.
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- Mark Ryan, Field Sales Manager, Vanguard Division, CDI; Chris Sperling, Division Manager, New England Division, CDI; Callie Bak, Business Manager, CDI; Charles Sachs, Senior Steward of the Brand NY/CT, WhistlePig Rye Whiskey; Paul Puhalla, Director of Business Development, CDI; John Latorra, Sales Representative, Vanguard Division, CDI; and Barnaby Hawken, Chief Sales Officer, WhistlePig Rye Whiskey.
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- WhistlePig Rye Whiskey is made with straight rye whiskey distilled and matured in Canada, then aged further in Vermont.
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- Gary Costa, Sales Representative, Diamond Division, CDI with a special guest from Little Luna Farms in Rhode Island.
Photos by Joe Palisi.
