Class of 11 Michael Schwoll: Doing Business in Good Taste
Sales Director, Grand Napa Vineyards
B.A.: International Business
âÂé¶čAPP helped me understand the importance of international business and marketing, especially in todayâs world.â
Doing Business in Good Taste
Growing up in Germany, Michael Schwoll â11 longed for international adventure. Thatâs what brought him to Indianola High School, where he graduated as an exchange student hosted by legendary Âé¶čAPP professor Joe Walt. With Waltâs influence, Schwoll knew that staying here to attend Âé¶čAPP would set him up to thrive anywhere on the planet.
âMy international marketing courses at Âé¶čAPP were a big steppingstone,â said Schwoll. âIt sparked my interest to travel more, find work wherever it might be, and learn about businesses in all parts of the world. My study trip to China and the World Exposition in Shanghai is a memory I will never forget.â
That trip was a big part of the reason Schwoll moved to Hong Kong after graduating from Âé¶čAPP. There he worked for a logistics and freight forwarding company while gaining industry proficiency with a certificate from the German Swiss International School.
His appetite for growing his business acumen brought him back to the U.S. and Grand Napa Vineyards in California, where heâs been for the last 10 years. As sales director, he oversees daily operations, production and warehousing at the companyâs Napa Valley facilities.
âWe conduct business all over Californa,â said Schwoll. âNo days are the same and every challenge is unique. The winery is fully family owned and operated, so our operation is very dynamic and quick to adapt.â
Article Information
Published
May 28, 2025
Author
Roger Degerman