Accolade Wines has appointed MJ Loza, currently head of its New Zealand operations, as its new General Manager for North America.
Accolade Wines is a global wine company with some of the world’s best-known brands including Geyser Peak, Atlas Peak and XYZin from California, Australian brands Hardys, Houghton and Banrock Station, New Zealand’s Mud House and Waipara Hills and Kumala and Flagstone Wines from South Africa. The company is known as the world’s leading supplier of New World premium commercial and value wines.
Hailing from New Zealand, and with extensive wine industry experience, Mr Loza’s appointment supports Accolade Wines’ strategic goal to maximise New Zealand brand growth opportunities in the North American market.
Mr Loza was the CEO of the Blenheim based Mud House Wine Group, at the time it was acquired by Accolade Wines in 2014 and for the past year has been the General Manager for Accolade Wines’ New Zealand operation.
Prior to joining Accolade Wines, Mr Loza worked in the wine industry as General Manager at Seresin Estate, a boutique, biodynamic winery in Marlborough, following a career in management and export marketing with Fonterra and as CEO of the Deer Industry, New Zealand.
In his new role Mr Loza will join the Executive Committee of Accolade Wines and will report directly to Chief Executive Officer, John Ratcliffe.
Mr Loza said he was looking forward to joining the team in North America.
“It’s pretty much the world’s biggest wine market and Accolade’s got such a great portfolio.
“In addition to our Californian, Australian and South African brands; New Zealand brands are in growth, total NZ wine exports to the USA are up 8pc in the 12 mths ended March 2015 and up 5pc to Canada,” Mr Loza said.
He will officially commence his new role on July 1, 2015, based in the township of Napa, California.
