12 Aug Jay Gifford Appointed Managing Director, International
Santa Rosa, CA., July 30, 2025 – Global wine and spirits company, Foley Family Wines & Spirits announced today that Jay Gifford has been appointed to the newly created position of managing director, international. Gifford will be based in Canterbury.
In his new role, Gifford will lead sales for Foley’s US wine and spirits portfolio in all markets outside of the US, as the company continues to expand its global presence. Gifford joins Foley from WX Brands/Grupo Peñaflor, as head of UK & Nordics, where he helped drive the growth of the company’s brand portfolio including Bread & Butter and Trapiche. Bread & Butter is the fourth largest selling US wine brand in the UK (and largest brand by volume >£10), with Trapiche is the second biggest Argentinian brand 1 . Gifford also held sales leadership roles at Accolade Wines (Vinarchy), InterContinental Brands, Constellation Brands and Molson Coors.
“I am delighted to join the Foley Family Wines & Spirits team and looking forward to showcasing the breadth of outstanding wineries, winemakers and brands, in addition to the company’s proven capability to deliver high quality wines and spirits at great prices,” noted Gifford. “International markets have an appetite for US wines at a variety of price points – particularly in the UK in the premium $15+ per bottle price range (UK £12 equivalent) which is Foley’s sweet spot.”
In 2024, the US exported $1.25 billion worth of wine, with the UK ($20.8 million), leading in volume, with a 16% increase 2 . “There is significant potential, especially for California wines as exports are expected to continue their upward trend, driven by a commitment to quality with a focus on premium wines and sustainable practices,” added president of Foley Family Wines & Spirits, Shawn Schiffer. “We are excited for Jay to grow Foley’s presence in the UK and other key international markets.”
>Already a familiar name internationally, Bill Foley is the Founder and General Partner of Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), a global multi-club operator of football clubs. In December 2022, Foley led BKFC’s acquisition of 100% of AFC Bournemouth of the English Premier League, representing the first acquisition in BKFC’s broader multi-club strategy. The club, based on the southern coast of England, was founded in 1899 and plays its home matches at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth where Foley owns a home. Under Foley’s leadership, Bournemouth experienced the best Premier League season in its history during the 2023-24 campaign. BKFC was awarded an expansion franchise in the Australian A-Leagues, Auckland FC, which achieved early success winning the Premiership in the 2024-25 regular season. Foley is also the majority shareholder in publicly traded Auckland-based Foley Wines, a collection of iconic wineries and brands from New Zealand’s most acclaimed wine regions. Foley Wines wholly owns Martinborough Vineyard, Te Kairanga and the Lighthouse Gin brand in Martinborough, Grove Mill and Vavasour in Marlborough, and Mt Difficulty in Central Otago.
For images of Jay Gifford and Bill Foley, visit Images | Foley Family Wines & Spirits
About Foley Family Wines & Spirits
Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and spirits from some of the world’s greatest estates. The company owns more than 24 wineries and a distillery, each with its distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality. FFWS has expanded its portfolio significantly since its founding, now including such storied brands as Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Sebastiani, Roth, Banshee, Ferrari-Carano, Chateau St. Jean, Lancaster, and Sonoma Coast Vineyards in Sonoma; Merus, Silverado, Foley Johnson and Swanson in Napa Valley; Lincourt, Firestone, and Foley Estates in Southern California; Chalone Vineyard and Cosentino in central California; and Four Graces and Acrobat in Oregon. FFWS’s import wines include Lucien Albrecht in France, Nieto Senetiner in Argentina, and 14 wine brands spanning three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winegrowing regions: Marlborough, Central Otago, and Martinborough. The growing global spirits portfolio includes domestic brands Minden Mill Whiskeys, High Ground Estate Vodka, Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Evil Bean Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Ampersand, and SABÉ canned cocktails. International spirits include New Zealand’s Lighthouse Gin, El Mexicano Tequila, the Loch Lomond Group portfolio of Scotch and spirits, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey and Killowen Distillery. To learn more about Foley Family Wines & Spirits, visit ffws.com.
*Nielsen MAT 19.4.25
** Wine Exports by Country 2024
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