Another round of leadership changes are happening at Washington state’s largest wine producer. 

David Richardson, a food and agriculture executive with four decades of experience, including time as a senior leader at Lamb Weston, is the new CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. He replaces David Bowman, who left the company on May 1 only months after getting the top job after it was acquired by the Wyckoff family.  

David Richardson

Bowman had been with Ste. Michelle since 2021. 

Meanwhile, Dan Heller, who has been with Ste. Michelle for 40 years, is taking on a new role as the winemaker’s chief commercial officer. 

“These appointments reflect the deep institutional knowledge, forward leaning strategy, and strength of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates organization, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to exceptional quality and leadership in Washington,” the company said in a statement. 

The Wyckoff family of Grandview bought all of the brands, facilities and vineyards of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in December, making it the first Washington state-based owner of the storied winemaker in 50 years.  

The family has long had its own presence in the wine industry through Coventry Vale Winery while also maintaining other agricultural operations through Wyckoff Farms. 

Court Wyckoff, CEO of Wyckoff Farms and Coventry Vale Winery, said in a statement that Richardson “is the visionary leader who will propel Ste. Michelle Wine Estates into its next era of growth.” 

Richardson most recently served as president, CEO and co-founder of NewCold Cooperative, which developed and operated large scale automated cold chain operations across Europe, North America and Oceania.  

He is also a longtime Washington resident who is familiar with and appreciative of the Columbia Valley wine region. 

Dan Heller

“This is a company with deep roots, remarkable expertise, and a proud legacy in Washington wine,” Richardson said in a statement. “My focus is on building on that momentum, bringing people together, investing where it matters most, and creating long term value for consumers, partners, and the communities we serve.” 

Heller most recently served as Ste. Michelle’s executive vice president of commercial sales and marketing. His new role will have him lead the sales and marketing team and strategy, as well as directly partnering with Ste. Michelle’s national distribution network. 

“I am very passionate about restoring growth and momentum and building not just a leading Washington winery, but a global wine company grounded in our local, family ownership,” Heller said in a statement. 

Court Wyckoff is assuming the position of executive chairman of Ste. Michelle’s board of directors to provide ongoing and enhanced collaboration with the winemaker’s senior leadership. 

Ste. Michelle has struggled in recent years along with the rest of the wine industry. It closed its tasting rooms and wine clubs for 14 Hands and Columbia Crest at the end of 2024. That followed the winery announcing in 2023 plans to significantly cut its grape contracts through 2028. In 2024, Ste. Michelle sold its interest in Benton City’s Col Solare winery to co-owner Marchesi Antinori after a 30-year partnership.