Sales & Marketing

Meet the Team

Director of Sales, Tucker Spear

Wine sales is in Tucker Spear’s blood. Originally from the Los Angeles area, Tucker inherited his passion for wine and the wine industry from his mother who worked internationally for several wine sales operations. After graduating with a degree in Applied Design from San Diego State University he chose, as so many do, not to use his undergraduate degree and instead to pursue his interest in wine.

He began as a sales representative for a Southern California-based distributor where he honed his skills managing vast amounts of product, opening new accounts, developing restaurant wine lists, establishing successful staff training and really soaking up everything the wholesale sector has to offer. Tucker spent the next ten years further expanding his proficiency in sales in management positions at Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg and most recently as the National Sales Manager for Fantesca Estate and Winery in St. Helena—celebrated winemaker Heidi Barrett’s first new project since leaving Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards. During his tenure at Fantesca, Tucker assisted in the launch of this fledgling brand, building a distribution network, growing direct sales and exceeding all projected goals.

“I can see Niner Wine Estates being neck-and-neck with the best wineries, certainly in Paso Robles, but also across the entire state of California.”

In the fall of 2010, Tucker accepted the position as Director of Sales for Niner Wine Estates. When asked about his vision for the future of Niner Wine Estates, Tucker reveals a commitment to smart, sustainable growth. “I can see Niner being neck-and-neck with the best wineries, certainly in Paso Robles, but also across the entire state of California.”

An avid snowboarder who enjoys many winter trips to Mammoth Mountain, Tucker resides in San Diego with his wife Sarah and two-year-old son, Preston.

Got a question for Tucker? Send an email or give him a call: 805.226.4872.

Marketing & Sales Coordinator, Nancy Hoover

Nancy Hoover brings more than seven years of marketing experience to Niner Wine Estates. She has a strong background in public relations and has worked with destination marketing organizations such as the Travel Paso Robles Alliance. Preceding her work with DMOs, Nancy worked in San Francisco as a PR Coordinator for Constellation Wines U.S., where she executed strategic public relations programs for premium and ultra-premium wine brands.

Nancy began her marketing career in agriculture at the California Farm Bureau Federation in Sacramento as an intern while studying for her degree in Agricultural Business.  Nancy subsequently graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2006 with a BS in Agricultural Business and a Minor in Wine and Viticulture.

Nancy’s interest in wine and viticulture began while attending college in San Luis Obispo. She grew up on a farm in Northern California where she raised livestock for show and sale.  While livestock was the main commodity in Grass Valley, wine grapes were clearly the cash crop in San Luis Obispo. “I couldn’t help but notice the influence wine had on my surrounding community,” explains Nancy. “Having grown up in a livestock family and now living in an area where agriculture was so pronounced, albeit through a different entity, my interests couldn’t help but gravitate toward the popular commodity that was inviting me in.  I began working in tasting rooms, then joined an academic wine club at Cal Poly, and eventually decided that this is an avenue of agriculture that I wanted to pursue.”

Nancy and her husband Ben reside in the charming community of South Atascadero with their baby boy, Charlie and Hungarian Vizsla, Piper. Together, they are home-winemakers and like to snow and water ski, hike, boat and fish.  Often, they can be found exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Shaver Lake, California.

Got a question for Nancy? Send an email or give her a call: 805.226.4892.