Bios : Chris Indelicato
When asked what he is responsible for at DFV Wines, Chris Indelicato laughs and says, "I am in charge of Very Important Things." At the helm of DFV Wines for four years, Chris brings vision, imagination and strategic direction to a family-owned business that has thrived for over 80 years.
Chris was born and raised in Manteca, California where his grandfather, Gasparé Indelicato, planted the family's first vineyards. Beginning at the tender age of 11, Chris helped with the family business. Working under the guiding hand of his father, Tony Indelicato, Chris learned the business from the ground up - including harvesting and pressing the grapes, bottling and pouring in the winery tasting room. Chris continued to work for DFV Wines until he was 18 when he left Manteca to attend the University of Southern California and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Post graduation, Chris became a licensed Certified Public Accountant. For six years, he pursued a career in the field of Accounting in the Los Angeles area. In 1994, he returned to the family business working alongside his brother Jay in the Bulk Wine division. Afterwards Chris held positions as CFO and National Accounts Manager ultimately assuming the role as President and CEO in 2004.
Chris brings a sense of humor and down-to-earth management style to DFV Wines, setting a tone for a company that prides itself on excellence at every level, while maintaining a healthy attitude about work, life and family. "Being a family-owned business, there is a mindset that permeates everything we do," he explains. "I work with my family, the most important people in the world to me, every day. I am constantly reminded that each employee, each vendor, each grower, each consumer is also part of our family. I have a responsibility to serve them all to the best of my ability."
This commitment to service is what drives the strategic direction of the company. "I am focusing now on growing the branded wine portfolio of our business in order to respond to consumer demand for approachable wines that over-deliver on quality," he says. "DFV Wines is uniquely situated to respond quickly to what's driving the market. We are a nimble, entrepreneurial organization. We strive for success in everything we do which benefits our partners, our consumers and our employees alike."
When Chris isn't busy doing Very Important Things, he enjoys playing softball and basketball, riding dirt bikes, fishing and camping. His favorite pastime is spending time with his wife Maché, son Borja and daughter Caterina at their Manteca area home.