Endorsements for Ray Chadwick
As wine business consultants, Ray Chadwick and Chadwick Wine Consulting have had the pleasure of working with some of the top minds and strongest leaders in the wine business. His relationships run deep and his network is broad.
“This year we are honoring a man who we consider to be one of the leading strategists in the business…Ray is indeed extraordinary…beyond his myriad accomplishments, what I admire most about Ray is his profound understanding and passion for wine…he has an uncanny ability to intuit trends in the marketplace and to be able to develop brands that prove successful time after time…for his ability to inspire a dedicated team, his success in bringing Diageo honor and respect for its wine portfolio, and most of all, for translating his vision into solid business results, we are proud to award Ray Chadwick Wine Enthusiast’s “Man of the Year” award!.”
— Adam Strum, Editor and Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 2008 Wine Star Awards Ceremony
“I have known Ray Chadwick personally for 25 years — and we have worked together closely both during his time with the Seagram Classics Wine Company as well as Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Company. Ray’s depth of knowledge about the wine and craft spirits industry along with his breadth of relevant professional experience spanning decades are truly remarkable. He has abundant capabilities to offer wine and craft spirits suppliers — whether it be related to business strategy, M&A or route to market.”
— Mel Dick, President, Wine Division/ Senior Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
“If I had to choose one consultant to guide me in a major business endeavor in the wine area, Ray would be on the short list and then probably the one I would ultimately choose. I know of few “wine experts” who understand the wine business as well as Ray, who have been engaged in so many facets of the business and who have consistently exercised impeccable judgment in an amiable and collaborative fashion. Anyone fortunate enough to be able to enlist his help would have the best shot possible at success and would have about as enjoyable an experience as possible along the way. “
— Bennett Caplan, FIVS (Federation Internationale des Vins at Spiriteux), Head of Secretariat
“I had the luxury of working with Ray Chadwick when he was responsible for driving Diageo Chateau & Estates wine business during the initial Next Generation Growth contract years. He was very strategic in his thinking and yet very supportive in helping us find different avenues to deliver our annual business plan in Arizona. I have nothing but the utmost respect for not only how Ray conducted his business but also how he kept things fun and personal for all of us along the way.”
— Shawn Thurman, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Glazer’s Distributors
“I had the pleasure of working with Ray at Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, and under his leadership the company experienced significant and sustained growth through organic innovation and a series of strategic acquisitions. Ray’s exceptional wine industry experience and skills make him uniquely qualified to drive success in the areas of business and brand strategy, mergers & acquisitions as well as the development of effective route to market strategies.”
— Steven W. Spadarotto, Vice President & General Manager, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars & Conn Creek Winery
“Having worked with Ray while he was Chairman of Wine Institute and on The Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute Board, I was highly impressed with his insightful, strategic thinking as well as his business acumen. His vast experience, both domestic and international, gives Ray a balanced approach when providing a long-term vision.”
— Gary B. Heck, President and Owner, F. Korbel and Bros.
“I met Ray Chadwick at Seagram where we worked together over 20 years. There are very few executives in the wine industry who understand the industry or have the business acumen and passion that Ray has exemplified throughout his career. Ray’s wine expertise ranges from knowledge of vineyards to selling wine to the consumer.
At Seagram, Ray worked in international sales and he speaks French. He ran a sales team in the Midwest as a Divisional Vice President, was promoted to Executive Vice President Finance and Export Sales, and became the senior business adviser to our President, Sam Bronfman. When Seagram was sold to Diageo, Ray was appointed President. He is an excellent business leader and is well respected in our industry.
Ray is without a doubt one of the most brilliant minds in the wine industry. As a consultant, his business knowledge also expands to other industries. I have learned much over the years from Ray on mergers and acquisitions, handling a business P & L, sales performance and talent management.
It is my honor to have Ray both as a colleague and a friend.”
— Chet Hutchinson, President & Senior Partner, Human Resource Business Partners, Inc.
