PROFILE: PAUL DOLAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR, FETZER VINEYARDS
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BROWN-FORMAN WINE GROUP

Paul Dolan was named Managing Director, California Wines of Brown-Forman Wine Group in July of 1997. This promotion was a logical transition for Dolan, who had been Winemaster for Fetzer since 1977.

Dolan was born and raised in Oakland, California, and attended college at Santa Clara University, earning a degree in business and finance. After three years of service in the U.S. Army Infantry, Dolan chose winemaking over accounting as a post-military career. He returned to the classroom at the California State University, Fresno, and graduated with a Master's Degree in Enology before coming to work at Fetzer.

Dolan was involved in winemaking long before he received his degree. Descended on his mother's side from three generations of winemakers at the original Italian-Swiss Colony and on his father's side from the winemaking Concannon family, he hails from two distinguished families in California winemaking.

At Fetzer, Dolan built a team that includes a superb collection of enologists, lab technicians and winery workers. His philosophy has always been to make wines that are "true-to-type" varietals; that is, they clearly reflect the varietal character and complexity of the grape. An in-house barrel restoration program, in concert with Mendocino Cooperage, and continuing conversion of conventionally farmed grapes to grapes grown organically are two of Dolan's most recent achievements.
The results of Dolan's winemaking teamwork are evident. In 1991, Dolan was named "Winemaker of the Year" by Dan Berger, wine columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

In addition to his role as President of Fetzer Vineyards, Dolan works within the Brown-Forman Wine Group to further its quest to become a global wine producer, sourcing quality wines from all over the world for various brands within the Brown-Forman portfolio.

Dolan's personal interest in sustainable business practices, including organic farming and resource conservation, have been successfully integrated into the day-to-day operations at Fetzer. Dolan's vision and management of the winery have resulted in countless awards for their leading-edge conservation methods, as well as their socially responsible business practices. His vision is easy for him to articulate: "Fetzer will continue to be recognized as the environmentally and socially conscious winery, committed to making the highest quality, best valued wines in the world."

Dolan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Wine Institute and Businesses for Social Responsibility. He is also involved in Global Partners, formerly known as World Runners, an organization that is improving basic quality of life for village communities in Tanzania and other parts of the world.