Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, announced his retirement from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates beginning October 1, 2018. The announcement caps a 34-year run with the company, including 17 years as President and CEO, during which his vision and leadership for Ste. Michelle, and the industry in general, fueled the evolution of the Washington wine industry and led to historic company and personal achievements. Jim Mortensen, with global experience in consumer-packaged-goods businesses, has been appointed to succeed Baseler. Mortensen’s career has spanned several continents, with a record of talent development and building strong leadership teams, a company news release stated.