I can vouch for Chris and his industry knowledge, customer relations and extreme work ethic. He was a huge reason behind the success of Old Bridge Cellars here in MO and across the Midwest for 20+ years. Chis is a top-notch person, in and outside of work, and I would hire him in a heartbeat if he would move to MO!
I have had the pleasure of working with Chris Rowe at Old Bridge Cellars for over 20+ years. During that time we have been able to continually expand his responsibilities to include wider geography, direct reports and additional National and Regional HQ accounts (both On and Off Premise). Every time we piled on more work Chris stepped up to take on the additional; tasks, often while sacrificing personal time in order to finish the job. This extra effort always moved our company further along with direct revenue benefit. Being a small company we have to have all of our team where many hats. Distributor Manager, Inventory and Logistics specialist, Pricing and Promotion manager. Building and managing against annual planning horizons. Chris has expertise in all these areas while never losing the fact that he is also a “Wine Guy” with an experienced palate and a global knowledge of this vast wine business. I would partner with him in any company or project and know that he will bust his butt to meet our objectives.Rob Buono, President, Old Bridge Cellars
Testimonials
James Hallet Director of Trade Development Breakthru Beverage Missouri
Chris worked for me for twenty years and is one of the most passionate, knowledgeable and hard-working people in the business. His impressive wine knowledge, public speaking skills and enthusiasm keep him in high demand for distributor sales meetings and key account events. He’s developed significant relationships with distributor sales teams and key accounts both on-premise and off-premise through his impressive time in the market across all states he’s managed.
In addition, his proficiency in distributor management and ability to negotiate pricing and programing drives business while keeping within budget guidelines.
Chris is a true professional and a team player that possesses a comprehensive understanding of brand building.
Rick DeGrande Vice President, Old Bridge Cellars
I have had the pleasure of working with Chris at Old Bridge Cellars for more than 15 years, and he has consistently been someone I could rely on. He was always the first to respond when support was needed—whether for pricing, inventory, or broader business challenges—and his responses were not only timely, but thoughtful and thorough.
Chris has an exceptional ability to see the big picture and understand how decisions at the local level can impact the business nationally. He regularly anticipated challenges before they arose and addressed them proactively, demonstrating a level of organization, determination, and strategic thinking that sets him apart.
These qualities are a major reason Chris was selected to move into a leadership role at Old Bridge Cellars, where he applied the same disciplined approach to guiding teams and helping managers achieve their goals. He has always viewed colleagues as true partners, working collaboratively to elevate the entire organization—not just his own responsibilities.
Equally impressive are the strong relationships Chris has built with team members, distributor partners, and winery owners. Those relationships are a key contributor to Old Bridge Cellars’ long-term success. Chris also excels at strategic planning, with a clear ability to balance immediate priorities while planning for the future.
There’s a saying that people don’t go to work for companies—they go to work with people. Chris exemplifies this philosophy. I would highly recommend Chris and his new company to anyone looking to build, grow, or expand their business. He will be an invaluable partner and a driver of both immediate and long-term success.
Mark Crisler, President Trellis Wine & Spirits
