George Blanckensee
NVHF Co-Founder and Advisor
NVHF Role: Co-Founder and Advisor
After many years of continuous service since the start of the Forum and creation of a Board, George serves in an advisory capacity to the current board members, providing valuable input in his 15 plus years of wine hospitality industry work. He continues to work on the administrative aspects of the board needs, and helps organize the annual event
Estate Director - Chateau Montelena
Email: GBlanckensee@montelena.com
Bio:
As Estate Director at Chateau Montelena, George oversees all DTC and export
sales at the Chateau, including events, guest experiences, and property
grounds. A Bay Area native, George grew up in San Francisco before heading to
Southern California, where he attended and graduated from the University of
California, Irvine, with a degree in Political Science. While in school, he started
working in the hotel business, where he stayed for over 20 years – most of which
time was concentrated in the food and beverage operations at resorts in both
Southern and Northern California, Florida, and Colorado.
George realized his passion for wine and entered the wine industry as opening
General Manager for Press Club, a unique wine tasting venue in downtown San
Francisco. With a long-time relationship with Chateau Montelena as a buyer and
supporter, he eventually joined the team at Montelena in 2009.
Along with his tenure at Chateau Montelena, George has been active within the
Napa Valley Community, sitting on the Executive board of the Calistoga
Winegrower’s Association for over 8 years, and currently on the board for the
Calistoga Chamber of Commerce.
Along with the late Kerry Andrews, George helped create the Napa Valley
Hospitality Forum over 12 years ago, realizing the need to have like minded
professionals in the wine industry gather and discuss the operational
opportunities and challenges we face in the valley; finding and sharing common
solutions and ideas.