Jean-Michel Valette Joins Vinfolio as Chairman

Industry expert and Master of Wine expands role with online wine retail and collector services company

Jean-Michel has already made a significant impact on the company in a year of enormous growth

Being able to tap more of his time for his strategic insights and business acumen will be invaluable as Vinfolio continues to expand.

I'm thrilled to continue to play a more active role in Vinfolio as it grows

It is not every day, you can be part of a team that is redefining the paradigm of an industry and creating something new.

(PRWEB) July 19, 2007 -- San Francisco. Vinfolio, Inc., a premier online wine store and collector services company, announces that Jean-Michel Valette, one of only 24 North American Masters of Wine and an expert in consumer-focused businesses, has accepted the position of non-executive Chairman. In expanding the scope of his current Vinfolio Board responsibilities, Valette will play a more active role in Vinfolio's business, providing counsel on strategy and leveraging his extensive global wine industry relationships, experience and expertise.

"Jean-Michel has already made a significant impact on the company in a year of enormous growth," says Vinfolio founder and CEO, Stephen J Bachmann. "Being able to tap more of his time for his strategic insights and business acumen will be invaluable as Vinfolio continues to expand." Valette joined Vinfolio's Board last October after he along with Colin Lind, Managing Partner of Blum Capital Partners, L.P, led a $1.6 million investment round of a small group of individual investors.

Most recently, Jean-Michel was the Chairman of Robert Mondavi. Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of Franciscan Estates. His broad business experience also includes a role as Managing Director at Hambrecht & Quist, Inc., a San Francisco-based investment bank and venture capital company, where he was a founder of its Branded Consumer practice. In addition, he currently sits on the board of directors for The Boston Beer Company, Select Comfort Corporation, and Peet's Coffee & Tea, Inc. where he continues as Chairman.

"I'm thrilled to continue to play a more active role in Vinfolio as it grows", says Valette, "It is not every day, you can be part of a team that is redefining the paradigm of an industry and creating something new."

About Vinfolio: Based in San Francisco, Vinfolio (www.vinfolio.com) sells fine wine and services to wine collectors and enthusiasts. Its guiding principle is "Fine wine, finer service," demonstrating Vinfolio's unparalleled level of personalized customer service and collector services. From an extensive selection of fine wine to VinCellar™, its free online cellar management software, to collector services (including on-site inventorying and full-service storage), Vinfolio delivers "Fine wine, finer service". Vinfolio was founded in 2003 by CEO Stephen J. Bachmann, who incorporated his expertise in technology and finance with his passion for wine.

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