ABOUT
ROSE CITY
Located in Portland, Oregon, Rose City Distillery was incorporated through the vision of CEO John Ufford in 2004. In the following year, well respected spirits industry professional Robert G. Turner joined as President and Partner. Starting with 3 signature vodkas, they worked tirelessly, striving to bring new and top quality products to market. Working in association with the Snake River Stampede Rodeo, Snake River Stampede Canadian Whisky was produced in 2006, starting down the path of many award-winning whiskeys. Since 2006, Rose City has raised the bar both locally and nationally with a unique array of specialty products and National award-winning whiskeys. They continue to produce top quality spirits while providing the best value to their customers.
John learned his distilling skills from assisting in the distillation of spirits for McMenamins. John launched McMenamins products in 52 locations and provided training, cocktail menus, and pricing. He was the Corporate Beverage Manager forMcMenamins Pubs and Breweries, managing over 52 properties covering Oregon and Washington. Armed with the knowledge of distilling and his own recipe for flavored vodkas, John approached a small local distillery with regards to bottling his product as well as applying for his distiller’s license. The license was granted in 2005, when he launched Indio Silver, Marionberry, and Lemongrass Lime vodkas. In 2006 Rose City Distillery launched Blood Orange Vodka, Snake River Stampede Whiskey, and Cricket Club Gin. The expansion to the product line led Rose City Distillery to hire a contract manufacturer to bottle the products.
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As Chairman and CEO of Rose City Distillery, John is involved in all aspects of the business: sales, marketing, accounting, and product development. One of his goals is to donate to causes that are near to his heart such as MADD, Candlelighters for Children with Cancer, and various wounded soldier charities.
When not at work creating distinguished spirits, John can typically be found with his daughter Shivani or on the golf course.
CONTACT:
john@rosecitydistilling.com
503-351-1090
JOHN UFFORD
FOUNDER/CEO
BOB TURNER
PRESIDENT
With over forty years of experience of influencing the buying habits of liquor consumers and licensees, Bob has gained a reputation in the distilled spirits business for his integrity, competitive spirit and for achieving great results. He has repeatedly shown success introducing new product lines to a crowded market. Bob helps design and implement innovative marketing and sales programs and relationships that have placed products in number one selling positions in their category. He continually updates his sales approach to remain aligned with a rapidly changing culture, staying knowledgeable about industry laws—always focused on the client base and their profitability. His strategies are founded on market analyzation, trends and projections—always ensuring that price and brand are aligned with sales.
With a History Degree from the University of Oregon, Bob was hired by Seagram Distillers, where he was accountable for a full line of spirits for the state of Oregon. From there Bob moved to National Products, an Oregon liquor brokerage where he eventually became
an equity owner. Hood River Distillers hired Bob to become the state manager, where he helped build the sales force by four times. Bob then launched his own bottling company, Crown Century Distillers, which he sold 12 years later, to a large bottler in California. He then founded Turner/Wildes Wine and Spirits, and when the opportunity arose to become an equity owner in Rose City Distillery, he jumped at the chance to once again implement his marketing and sales skills in order to grow the company into a strong regional force.
Bob is a board member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and when not working, he enjoys his summer home on the Oregon Coast with Susan, his wife of 45 years, children and grandchildren.
CONTACT:
bob@rosecitydistilling.com
503-310-3216
MARK WHITE
MASTER BLENDER
As the blender of Rose City Distillery, Mark constantly works on perfecting the product - whether working in the lab on mixtures for new spirits, organizing all of the product aging in the warehouse, or being the guardian of quality for each individual product. He does it all. He brings with him a vast industry experience including 11 years as a commercial brewer for McMenamins, 2 years as product development specialist at Willamette Valley Vineyards, and 9 months as Cellarman at Firestone Walker Brewery.
Mark has been with Rose City since 2010. He brings his upbeat and passionate attitude to his work, his family, and of course his friends.
CONTACT:
mark@rosecitydistilling.com
503-310-3216
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SARAH BALDWIN
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Sarah has over a decade of sales experience in the wine and distilled spirits industries. Sarah joined Rose City in 2015. Prior to that she was with Southern Wine and Spirits. Mrs. Baldwin oversees the firm’s sales objectives both internally and externally through a robust lineup of distributors across the country.
Mrs. Baldwin holds a BS in Communications from the University of Oregon. When not at work Sarah can be found trying to keep tabs on her 4 sons or on the ski slopes.
CONTACT:
sarah@rosecitydistilling.com
503-310-3216
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CAM WERSCHKUL
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Cam was brought on in 2017 as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for the day to day operations of the company. Prior to joining Rose City Distilling he was the CEO of a Healthcare IT firm he helped found with two other partners. Prior to transitioning out of that role he lead the firm through a 7 digit Series A raise and partnered with some of the country’s most respected healthcare providers.
Mr. Werschkul holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Oregon. Outside of work his passion is his wife and daughters.
CONTACT:
cam@rosecitydistilling.com
503-310-3216
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