News Briefs for September 9, 2025

Connecticut-based Evaton, the U.S. subsidiary of Portugal’s Sogrape, has named Andrew Block as its new CEO, effective this fall. Block is set to replace Stephen Brauer, the company’s CEO since 2018, who will now serve in a strategic advisory role and as non-executive director. Block joined Evaton in August 2024 as chief sales officer and has more than 30 years’ industry experience. In his new role, Block will be focused on growing Portuguese wine brands Silk & Spice and Fio a Fio, and maintaining Sandeman’s position in the Port market, as well as further developing the company’s higher-end portfolio. Evaton’s volume neared 500,000 cases in 2024. Parent company Sogrape had annual sales of €356 million ($418m) last year.

Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars has named David Amadia as president and CEO. He succeeds Mike Jaeger, who announced his retirement earlier this year. In his new role, Amadia will oversee the strategic direction and evolution of the Cakebread portfolio, including Cakebread Cellars of Napa Valley, along with Bezel from California’s Central Coast and Mullan Road Cellars in Washington’s Royal Slope AVA. Amadia previously spent 17 years at Ridge Vineyards, where he served as president.

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