Robert Burden Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Virginia, United States

You have a job to do. You’re a winemaker, grapegrower, supplier, distributor, sales manager, plate spinner. You're in the wine business; you take on a hundred different roles at any time. You have a job to do, and you’re great at it.Our job is to understand you. You have a vision, and we're here to build your branding in that image. We deliver design and digital elements to align your story, packaging, marketing and online presence. Your brand deserves to function as one and engage your audience. They're your customers; you make wine for them. Let's connect.

Mcminnville, Oregon

My relationship with Walnut City goes back to 2011 when I flew west for my first 8 week sprint through an Oregon harvest. Over three subsequent vintages working beside Winemaker and GM, Michael Lundeen, a working dynamic and philosophical common ground was established. I was thrilled to be brought on board full time in 2016 to continue raising the bar on the wines we craft and the brand vision we build. •Manage cellar operations, staffing and logistics in a 10,000 case wine production facility.•Develop/implement branding and marketing strategies in local and national markets. This includes in-house design of trade and marketing materials, brand voice and communication, and direct market support.•Launch and oversee new markets both locally and nationally. Bolster markets through support and education, distributor relations and direct involvement.

Richmond, Virginia

At SAWM Imports (Spanish American Wine Merchants), we get to work alongside a truly unique group of young producers from Spain and Argentina. Our producers all share the same standards and values starting with vineyards that have been family-owned for generations and a vision guided by a clear focus on exceptional quality and ‘terroir.’ Their respect to the vines, with minimum intervention in the winery, helps them to produce some of the best wines coming out of both Spain and Argentina.• Developed comprehensive marketing and POS materials during a period of rapid growth. This included all print and web materials for both distributor and consumer needs.• Focused sales management on the Virginia, DC, Maryland territory. Built Montgomery County, MD from inception to one of our top performing markets in less than a year.• Managed distributor relations and sales support. Involved in all aspects of inventory management and freight logistics.

I was once told, "you don’t need to know how to make wine in order to sell it."I didn’t accept that then, and after 4 back-to-back vintages in Oregon, I believe more strongly than ever that a wine knowledge built upon the fundamentals of “how” and “why” is one of the most important experiences I’ve gained.All wine is not created equal, and although you don’t need to spend time in a winery to understand that, once you take part in the process of making good wine, your palate will be inexorably changed and forever with an advantage.• Engage in all aspects of winemaking as assistant to the winemaker (2011/2012/2013/2014 harvests).• Oversee fermentations, lab work, crush pad and interns for a 10,000-case annual production.• Manage the unique needs of multiple custom crush clients as well as the in-house brand.• Strategize branding direction and anticipate market changes to meet demands at a wholesale and retail level.• Work within specific sales territories to facilitate positive sales growth, brand awareness, and distributor relationships.