Wine-Industry Wonder to Share Wisdom with WSU Graduates
OGDEN – A former Weber State football player who parlayed a family-owned wine business into an internationally recognized brand will share his secrets to success during the university’s 146th commencement ceremony.
Roger J. Trinchero, president and chief operating officer of Trinchero Family Estates, will serve as speaker during the university’s commencement Dec. 18 at 1 p.m.
A former linebacker for then-Weber State College’s football team, Trinchero and his brother led Sutter Home, which his father and uncle purchased in 1947, to the top-selling premium varietal wine brand in the United States. Trinchero’s brother was the winemaker, while Trinchero oversaw sales and marketing. After tremendous success during the 1980s, following development of Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel, Trinchero enhanced Sutter Home through packaging and marketing breakthroughs.
In the late 1990s, Trinchero Family Estates became the winery’s flagship portfolio. In 2015, the Indy International Wine Competition recognized Trinchero Family Estates, which also is a distillery, with a Winery of the Year trophy.
After attending the University of California, Los Angeles, and playing in the 1966 Rose Bowl, Trinchero transferred to Weber State and played as a linebacker under head coach Sarkis “Sark” Arslanian during the era known as “Sark’s Boys.” While playing for Weber State, he was recognized as an honorable mention All-American. Following his graduation in 1969, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He has continued to support other veterans, having received the 2012 Patriot Award for holding jobs for military employees until they return from service.
In addition to supporting veterans, Trinchero has been an ardent supporter of WSU. For example, he provided substantial support for the construction of the Marquardt Field House, a practice facility for various Weber State sports. The field house, a 73,000-foot expansion of the Weber County Sports Complex, opened in 2013.
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For a high-resolution photo, visit the following link:
Shane Farver, chief of staff, Office of the President
801-626-6001 • shanefarver@weber.edu- Contact:
Shane Farver, chief of staff, Office of the President
801-626-6001 • shanefarver@weber.edu