Rita Di Lello Appointed Vice President, US Sales at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Veteran J. Lohr Sales Leader Brings Over Two Decades of Experience and Passion to Executive Role at Family-Owned California Winery

San Jose, Calif. – October 14, 2025 – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is pleased to announce the promotion of Rita Di Lello to Vice President, US Sales. An accomplished wine industry executive with more than two decades of experience in the premium and luxury wine categories, Di Lello will oversee J. Lohr's domestic sales organization, including on- and off-premise channels, national accounts, and e-commerce initiatives. Her appointment underscores the family-owned winery's commitment to leadership excellence and long-term strategic growth in the US marketplace.

Working closely with President & CEO Steve Lohr and the Lohr family, Di Lello will guide the continuing success of the company's wholesale three-tier distribution network and sales organization. Known for her analytical approach, brand expertise, and collaborative management style, she has earned a reputation for developing creative, results-driven sales and building enduring partnerships with distributors, accounts, and industry leaders.

"Rita's promotion is a testament to her exceptional leadership and deep understanding of our brand and customers," said J. Lohr President & CEO Steve Lohr. "She has been a driving force in our sales organization for the past nine years, and her commitment to quality, integrity, and partnership reflects the values that have defined J. Lohr since our founding. We are delighted to have her lead our US Sales team as we continue to strengthen our brand presence across the country."

Di Lello first joined J. Lohr in 2000 as West Coast National Accounts, On-Premise Manager and Nevada State Manager, quickly building a portfolio of prestigious restaurant and casino accounts. She later expanded her experience through roles at Banfi Vintners, 585 Wine Partners, and Foley Family Wines focusing on both retail and on-premise national accounts, before returning to J. Lohr in 2016 as Vice President, National Accounts, On-Premise.

Under her leadership, Di Lello and her team earned the "Best Small Winery Supplier of the Year" award for five consecutive years at the annual VIBE Conference – honoring their excellence in representing J. Lohr to national on-premise partners. Rita's success led to her being promoted last year to VP, National Accounts / e-Commerce, overseeing all of J. Lohr's retail, on-premise, and e-commerce national customers – prior to her appointment to VP, US Sales.

"I am deeply honored to continue working with the Lohr family and our talented team in this expanded role," said Rita. "J. Lohr represents the best of what a family-owned winery can be: commitment to quality, innovation, and authentic relationships. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and continuing to deliver excellence for our customers and partners nationwide."

Rita was born and raised in Utah, and attended Weber State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Sales. While working as the corporate retail buyer for Mirage Resorts in Nevada, Rita also attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she earned an MBA with a focus in Sales and Marketing. She holds certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators. She was also a member of the inaugural graduating class to earn Certified Wine Professional accreditation from the Culinary Institute of America.

About J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Founded fifty-one years ago by Jerry Lohr and still family-owned and operated today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines grows, produces, and bottles a full line of internationally recognized wines from its more than 4,000 acres of Certified California Sustainable estate vineyards in Monterey County's Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations, Paso Robles, and St. Helena in Napa Valley. Offering an expressive range of styles that showcase its estate fruit, J. Lohr crafts eight tiers of award-winning wines: J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr Cuvée Series, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Gesture, J. Lohr Pure Paso® Proprietary Red Wine, J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Monterey Roots, and ARIEL Vineyards. The company's online home is at the link below.