BarkerGilmore is a premier team of recruiters for wine and spirits executive search specializing in legal, compliance, and senior leadership talent for legacy wineries, craft distillers, national distributors, global alcohol conglomerates, and beverage-focused consumer goods brands. From heritage labels to innovative new entrants, we connect organizations with proven leaders who can navigate regulatory structures, manage brand protection, and support commercial and operational expansion.
As one of the leading wine and spirits executive search firms, we understand the rapid evolution of the industry, from shifting consumer preferences and premiumization trends to digital commerce expansion, sustainability requirements, supply chain oversight, and a complex three-tier regulatory system. Whether your company is introducing new product lines, expanding distribution networks, enhancing compliance frameworks, or growing globally, our recruiters deliver legal, compliance, and operational executives with the expertise to enable long-term success.
Why Leading Wine & Spirits Companies Choose BarkerGilmore
Deep Beverage Alcohol & Consumer Industry Expertise — Our recruiters bring extensive experience supporting wineries, distilleries, importers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitality brands, and CPG companies, ensuring a strong understanding of the legal, regulatory, and operational demands unique to the wine and spirits landscape.
Curated Talent Network — We maintain trusted relationships with General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers, and senior executives across beverage alcohol, consumer goods, hospitality, retail, and entertainment industries.
Proven Results Across Growth Stages — From emerging craft producers to multinational beverage companies, our placements align with each organization’s evolving regulatory footprint, operational structure, and strategic growth goals.
Discreet & Strategic Process — As trusted wine and spirits executive headhunters, we deliver confidential, high-touch search engagements aligned with your brand’s mission, culture, and long-term vision.
Our clients span a wide range of segments across the beverage alcohol and consumer ecosystem, including:
- Wineries, vineyards, and wine groups
- Distilleries, spirits producers, and craft beverage companies
- Importers, wholesalers, and distributors
- Hospitality, restaurant, and entertainment groups with alcohol-driven offerings
- Retailers and CPG companies with beverage alcohol divisions
BarkerGilmore’s wine and spirits executive search capabilities help you identify legal and compliance leaders who:
- Navigate TTB, state and federal licensing, labeling regulations, advertising restrictions, and U.S. and global trade laws
- Oversee distribution agreements, franchise laws, manufacturing requirements, and commercial partnerships
- Build compliance programs supporting ESG initiatives, sustainability, responsible consumption, and supply chain transparency
- Guide organizations through M&A activity, international expansion, portfolio diversification, and regulatory investigations
Whether your company is expanding distribution, launching new products, strengthening compliance frameworks, or scaling global operations, our wine and spirits executive recruiters deliver leaders who support long-term growth.
Beyond executive search, BarkerGilmore provides personalized coaching and strategic advisory services for legal and compliance professionals across the wine and spirits, CPG, hospitality, and consumer sectors. We help leaders excel through:
- Integration support for new General Counsel and compliance executives
- Executive presence development and boardroom readiness
- Confidential counsel on regulatory, ESG, supply chain, marketing, and brand protection matters
For General Counsel: Legal Leadership That Protects Brands & Ensures Regulatory Integrity
General Counsel in the wine and spirits industry are more than legal advisors. They are strategic partners who help organizations manage regulatory complexity, protect valuable brands, and operate responsibly in one of the most heavily regulated consumer sectors.
Our wine and spirits executive recruiters evaluate GC candidates on their:
- Experience with alcohol regulations, labeling laws, marketing and advertising compliance, and distribution requirements
- Ability to oversee supply chain operations, commercial relationships, brand licensing, and international trade
- Track record of advising on intellectual property, ESG, sustainability, digital commerce, and responsible consumption initiatives
- Leadership capabilities that inspire trust among boards, regulators, distributors, suppliers, and consumers
BarkerGilmore ensures your General Counsel is equipped to protect today’s operations and lead your brand into the future of wine, spirits, and beverage alcohol.
Partner with Wine & Spirits Executive Recruiters You Can Trust
BarkerGilmore is one of the most respected firms for wine and spirits executive search for legal and compliance leadership. Whether your organization is expanding brand portfolios, improving compliance frameworks, entering new markets, or strengthening regulatory readiness, we help you secure transformational leaders aligned with your long-term vision.
Our executive recruiters bring discretion, refined precision, and a deep understanding of the landscape to every search. In a sector shaped by tradition, evolving consumer tastes, and one of the most complex regulatory environments in the consumer marketplace, securing the right legal leader is essential to protecting your brands, supporting responsible operations, and enabling long-term growth.
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