Erle Martin

A wine industry executive with over 25 years of experience consistently delivering results through expertise in leadership, strategy and skillful management. Mr. Martin’s experience spans both wholesale distribution as well as winery operations.

Most recently he lead Crimson Wine Group to sustainable profitability and growth through a strategic plan overhaul which included: refreshing and repositioning Napa’s Pine Ridge Vineyards, two acquisitions – Chamisal Vineyards in 2008 located in the Central Coast’s Edna Valley, and Healdsburg’s historic Seghesio Family Vineyards in 2011 – and the organic launch of Double Canyon in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation of Eastern Washington. He subsequently led the effort to take Crimson Wine Group public in 2013 via a spin-off from the parent company Leucadia National Corporation.

Prior to his experience with Crimson, he oversaw Francis Coppola’s wine interests for the period 1996 – 2007. During that time he initiated the launch and growth of the Rosso and Bianco, Diamond Collection, and Sofia lines of wines under the Coppola banner. Additionally he spearheaded the successful separation of the Napa Valley estate wines, now Inglenook, from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery which is located in Northern Sonoma’s Geyserville.

Mr. Martin broke into the industry through the wholesale distribution tier in California, first cutting his teeth with Gallo, and then with Young’s Market Company where he created the foundation for the fine wine division, The Estates Group.