Napa-based Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines announced that Sean Penn was named vice president of sales, west region. In his new role, Penn will lead the West Coast DC&E sales organization. Penn has been a member of the Diageo organization for 12 years and was most recently vice president and west multiple region general manager for Diageo North America.

Vine Hill earns certification
The California Certified Organic Farmers agency awarded Vine Hill Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains, with organic certification. The 2010 vintage of estate-grown Pinot Noir and Syrah will be the first of Vine Hill’s wines labeled “organically grown.” Visit: vinehillwinery.com.

Heitz Myers is Napa Vintners president
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association representing approximately 400 wineries announced that members elected Kathleen Heitz Myers of Heitz Wine Cellars to lead the 67-year-old organization as board president for 2011. This year the Heitz family celebrates the 50th anniversary of the winery founded by Kathleen’s parents, Joe and Alice Heitz, in 1961. Visit: napavintners.com.

La Crema promotes winemaking team
Russian River-based La Crema Winery announced that winemaker Melissa Stackhouse has assumed the role of Pinot Noir winemaster for Jackson Family Wines. Stackhouse will oversee all Pinot Noir programs for the company. Associate winemaker Elizabeth Grant-Douglas advanced to winemaker, and assistant winemaker Eric Johannsen took on the associate winemaker position. Visit: lacrema.com.

JT Wines releases FLASQ
St. Helena-based JT Wines, a division of Global Wine Concepts LLC, announced the release of FLASQ, a line of domestic wines sold in recyclable 375ml aluminum bottles. Priced from $5.99 to $7.99, the 2009 release includes a San Luis Obispo County Merlot and a Monterey County Chardonnay. Visit: flasqwines.com.

C. Donatiello departs Hambrecht
Healdsburg-based C. Donatiello, producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, announced its departure from Hambrecht Wine Group. Chris Donatiello and Bill Hambrecht will continue to focus their efforts on individual wine brands. Hambrecht Wine Group previously was comprised of three Sonoma County brands including C. Donatiello, Healdsburg Ranches and Bradford Mountain. Visit: cdonnatiello.com.