Gehl Search Partners has been retained for this key hire
Our ultra-premium winery client based in St. Helena is seeking an experienced CFO to join their team, supporting financial responsibility while also supporting their current and future organic growth.
The Chief Financial Officer provides strategic financial leadership while remaining deeply hands-on, overseeing day-to-day accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and risk and benefits administration, and building the financial systems, controls, and reporting infrastructure required to support an operationally complex environment spanning production and hospitality. This role includes direct management of internal staff and third-party specialty resources and serves as a key thought partner to ownership in evaluating opportunities, risks, and investments across the organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to ownership and senior leadership in shaping and executing short, intermediate, and long-term vision.
• Provide decision-oriented financial reporting and analysis across production and hospitality operations.
• Participate in strategic planning with a financial lens on growth, operations, and investment.
• Maintain a forward-looking view of financial position, identifying risks and opportunities.
Financial Operations, Reporting & Risk
• Prepare timely and accurate P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statements.
• Lead accounting, AP/AR, banking, payroll, insurance, and benefits administration (including health and 401(k) plans).
• Establish accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and risk management practices.
• Manage rolling cash flow forecasts and liquidity.
• Assess current reporting systems and lead recommendations, integration, and implementation of improvements to support accurate, timely decision making.
Production, Custom Crush & Hospitality Economics
• Provide financial oversight for production and hospitality operations (internal and custom crush).
• Ensure accurate costing, inventory valuation, and margin integrity across all business lines.
• Develop SKU-level labor and overhead standards integrating production and hospitality inputs.
• Integrate production and hospitality economics into budgets and forecasts.
Planning, Analysis & Decision Support
• Own budgeting, planning, and short and long-term forecasting processes.
• Evaluate strategic initiatives through feasibility analysis and ROI modeling.
• Develop business cases for investments and growth initiatives.
Team & Collaboration
• Lead and develop accounting staff and third-party resources.
• Maintain close communication with ownership and leadership.
• Provide ad hoc analysis and oversee internal audits as requested.
Required Experience, Skills, Attributes
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or similar field, MBA a plus
• 10+ years of progressive career experience as an accounting & finance executive
• Prior experience in the wine industry required
• Well-versed in QuickBooks
• Must have a strong understanding of hospitality led businesses and the importance of consumer experiences
• Prior experience with multi-entity accounting practices highly preferred
• Respect for confidentiality and the handling of sensitive data
• Must be highly motivated with a team-centered approach, ready to jump in to assist teammates as needed
• Excellent communication and people skills
• Highly skilled in financial planning, modeling, accounting, analytics, cost accounting, inventory management, and pricing
• Well-versed in all aspects of financial management ranging from accounting to broad investment and banking relationships
This role is onsite daily.
Compensation: Low $200k range base, plus bonus opportunity
401K Plan with 4% Employer Match Contribution
Premium Health Plan, with over 90% of employee plan covered by company
3 weeks PTO, 10 paid holidays, and More!
