Sean O’Keefe Winery Departure

Dear Friends of CGT,

I would like to inform you that Sean O’Keefe will be leaving Chateau Grand Traverse (CGT) effective January 1, 2015. Although Sean will continue as a stockholder and occasional advisor to the winery, he will be transitioning to the full-time position as winemaker at the new Villa Mari Vineyards (VM) projected to open in fall, 2015. Although this may come as a surprise to some, in reality, this is an orderly transition that has been in the works for several months and is agreeable to everyone involved.

As always, the wines produced and bottled at CGT winery have all benefitted from the experience and winemaking direction of Bernd Croissant, the winery’s head winemaker since 1993. Over the past few years, Sean has focused his attention exclusively on the CGT Eclectic brand of wines as well as the VM wines that he is currently overseeing at our winery facilities. With the limited crop of 2014 combined with the development of this new winery opening, it seemed like an opportune time for him to make the shift to pursue his independent small production wine focus. We all wish Sean well in his new endeavor.

Sincerely,
Eddie O’Keefe
President