NW Distribution Workshop

Learn how to develop a strategic plan for selling your wines that serves you best as well as how to manage priorities and expectations when it comes to wholesale distribution.

September 9, 2014

Join us Sept. 9 for an informational workshop focusing on distribution featuring four distinguished speakers covering four sectors of distribution in the Northwest. 

Sarah Graves - Young's Market: Oregon - On Premise
Bob Liner - Galaxy Wine Co.: Oregon - Off Premise, Multiple Formats
Kathy Byrd - Young's Market: Washington - Off Premise, Multiple Formats
Rick Steckler - Click Distributing: Washington - On and Off Premise

Sarah Graves: Ms. Graves is the director of on premise wine sales for Young's Market Company Northwest, a position she has held for the past eight years.  Her career in wine includes 18 years managing and opening restaurants in Portland, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and San Francisco.  Since returning to the northwest after establishing herself in San Francisco, Ms. Graves has become an ambassador for Oregon wineries and has been instrumental in creating the "Pinot Passion" program that has increased sales, revenue and supplier satisfaction.  

Bob Liner: Mr. Liner began his career in wine in 1977 at a gourmet shop in Sacramento.  In 1987 Mr. Liner, along with Matt Elsen founded Liner & Elsen, a premier wine shop in Portland.  The pair sold Liner & Elsen in 1999 and launched Galaxy Wine Company.  Fifteen years later, Galaxy has gernered a reputation for the quality of wines offered and working with retailers and restaurants across Oregon.  His firsthand experience launching Liner & Elsen gave Mr. Liner a unique perspective on what wine buyers needed from distributors.  

Kathy Byrd: In 2012 Ms. Byrd joined Young's to represent the Estates Group as the director of chains and specialty retail.  Recently she was promoted to the vice president of sales for the Estates Group in Washington and Oregon managing both on and off premise.  Ms. Byrd has a specific history of developing small and medium sized wineries both as a supplier and as a distributor manager, especially as it pertains to off premise chains and specialty retail.

Rick Steckler: Rick is President and Co-Owner of Click Wholesale Distributing, Inc., Renton, WA and Click Distributing East, Inc., Spokane, WA. Rick has been in Beer, Wine and Spirits distribution in Seattle for over 27 years with G. Raden & Sons, Alehouse Distributing, Columbia Distributing and currently Click Wholesale Distributing, Inc. which he co-founded in 2002.

Click Wholesale distributes Wine, Beer, Cider and Spirits (the latter since the 2012 Initiative 1183 privatization) directly in 6 counties in the Puget Sound region and indirectly through a network of sub-distributors throughout Washington and other Northwest states. In November of 2008 Click opened a second operation, Click Distributing East, Inc. which services Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Twelve years ago Click started with 6 people and now has over 145 employees and three warehouses in Western Washington, Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

The workshop will take place at Chemeketa's Northwest Wine Studies Center on Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The cost to participate is $20 and includes lunch.  Following each speaker there will be time for questions. 

For questions, please contact Philip Carnahan.