German winemaker Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen in the Mosel Valley has partnered with Jay Somers of 6,000-case J. Christopher Wines in Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley. The new venture, Loosen Christopher Wines LLC, will produce wines under the established J. Christopher brand. The venture has purchased a 40-acre site for a new vineyard. Planting of the first block of Pinot Noir will begin this spring. Visit: drloosen.com and jchristopherwines.com.

A to Z announces new sales force
Ron Mertz, newly appointed president of sales of Newberg, Ore.-based 135,000-case A to Z Wine-works, has created a new sales organization to advance the development of A to Z’s core brands. The new team includes Peter Yanulis, Northeast Zone sales director; Steve Rubsam, Central Zone sales director and Rick Vehrs, West Zone sales director. Details: atozwineworks.com.