Change in the leadership team of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board: Following Wilhelm Klinger’s announcement last December to gradually step back from his duties as Managing Director, his successor has been elected after a thorough selection process. Chris Yorke will take over the leadership of AWMB in 2020.
Willi Klinger has been leading the Austrian Wine Marketing Board since 2007. His clearfocus on quality has seen the international reputation of Austrian wine grow significantly, resulting in record export numbers.
Following a thorough multi-stage selection process involving more than 90 applicants, the supervisory board is pleased to announce that Chris Yorke is the new Managing Director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, taking over from Willi Klinger in January 2020. He will start his induction phase in October 2019.
“We have brought on board a leading international wine manager, who has for the past 15 years, as Marketing Director of New Zealand Winegrowers, been instrumental in developing and promoting New Zealand wines internationally” said Gerhard Wohlmuth, President Supervisory Board AWMB.
“I am overwhelmed by the number of applications for this position. It demonstrates the strong reputation of Austrian wine. We are very pleased to have secured a new managing director who is experienced in exports, from a leading premium wine country – New Zealand. We look forward to having Chris Yorke strongly support and promote export interests of Austrian winemakers” add Johannes Schmuckenschlager, Viticulture President.
“I have always admired the Austrian wine industry for its high-qualitywines, which are sustainably produced from a beautiful country with friendly people. The Austrian Wine Marketing Board has a strong reputation for excellent initiatives in Austria and overseas and I look forward to joining the team, meeting the grape growers and winemakers and contributing to this exciting growth phase for Austrian wine” concluded Chris Yorke.