Brassfield Estate Winery Expands National Sales Team

Lake County’s Brassfield Estate Winery bolsters national sales leadership to drive continued market expansion.

Clearlake Oaks, CA – August 19, 2026 – Brassfield Estate Winery, recognized as one of the most authoritative and successful rising voices in Northern California and the passionate ambassador of the stunning High Valley AVA in Lake County, is excited to announce the appointment of three key leaders to its national sales team. This follows a milestone year defined by remarkable growth, highlighting the estate’s strong and ongoing momentum in the market.

“We’re thrilled to bolster our already incredible sales division,” says Chris Baker, President of Brassfield Estate Winery. “The additions to our team bring invaluable strategic insight and a wealth of industry expertise. Their collective experience will be a vital addition to our national growth, allowing us to deepen our market presence and ensure that Brassfield’s unique story and exceptional wines reach an even broader audience across the country.”

Established by visionary entrepreneur Jerry Brassfield in 2000, Brassfield Estate Winery is a leader in this distinctive high-elevation volcanic region, producing 100% estate-grown, produced, and bottled wines, and embodying dedication, respect for the land, commitment to sustainable, precision farming, and fervent attention to detail. Each bottle reflects Brassfield’s unique sense of place.

To support this continued expansion, Brassfield is pleased to welcome three seasoned industry professionals under the leadership of Billy Ayer, Vice President/National Sales Manager. Recent appointments include:

• Justin Gunter as Director of National Accounts On-Premise

  Justin's passion for the beverage alcohol industry began early, shaped by the sense of community he experienced growing up and working in his family’s neighborhood bar and restaurant in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Justin previously worked with Premier Beverage (now part of Breakthru Beverage Group) in South Florida. There, he developed a deep appreciation for wine and the strategic process of connecting brands with the right account partners to drive meaningful growth. That passion led him to Foley Family Wines & Spirits, where he held several roles that ultimately culminated in a director position focused on building national relationships and driving depletion growth with multi-unit operators across the country. Today, at Brassfield Estate Winery, Justin leads the vision and strategy for the winery’s national account on-premise channel. His collaborative approach to building strategic alliances across restaurant, hotel, transportation, and entertainment sectors remains deeply rooted in the hospitality values he learned growing up in Pittsburgh. He is proud to share the story, wines, and remarkable High Valley estate that defines the Brassfield experience.

• Chris Little as Pacific Northwest Division Manager

  Chris brings more than 16 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. Having previously held leadership roles at luxury, family-owned suppliers such as Gerard Bertrand and Terlato Family Wines, Chris has built a strong reputation for cultivating partnerships and driving regional growth. In his previous leadership roles, Chris managed a large sales team covering territories from the Washington-Oregon border to the Washington-Canada border.

• Jorge Monroy as South Central Division Manager

  Jorge brings more than 15 years of experience in the wine industry, with a career spanning luxury wine sales, distribution, and regional leadership. He began his career on the distributor side before transitioning to the supplier side, where he held leadership roles with DAOU and Treasury Wine Estates. Throughout his career, Jorge has focused on building strong distributor and account partnerships, developing brands, and driving growth across key markets. His experience includes leading teams and business across multiple states and working closely with distributors and key accounts to execute strategic initiatives. Today, Jorge serves as Division Manager for the South Central region at Brassfield Estate Winery, overseeing six states and leading the company’s regional sales strategy and growth initiatives. Originally from the Southwest and most recently based in Florida, Jorge now lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area with his wife and three children.

With these strategic leadership appointments, Brassfield Estate Winery is poised to accelerate its growth and deepen its influence across key markets. The addition of these seasoned professionals strengthens the national sales team, ensuring that the distinct character and exceptional quality of the High Valley estate continue to resonate with accounts and consumers nationwide.

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