Zheng Jiansui
Biography
Stanley K. Cheng’s father, Cheng Wing-chi, left mainland China for Hong Kong in 1947 and founded Meyer Manufacturing Factory Limited in 1951. The company initially produced aluminum goods such as flashlights, ashtrays, camping lanterns, and tennis racquets.[1] In 1965, Stanley graduated from Pui Ching Middle School and went to the United States to study at the University of Oregon, where he began in business studies before switching to engineering.[2] He returned to Hong Kong in 1971 to take over the family business. In 1972 he sold his first batch of cookware in London, and by 1976 had established sales offices in Liverpool and Wisconsin, USA.
In 1984, Cheng developed and patented the “high–low ridge” nonstick aluminum cookware coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, and launched the Circulon brand.[2]
Hestan Winery
In 1997, Stanley and his wife Helen invested USD 18 million to found Hestan Winery in Napa Valley, California. They acquired an 80‑acre vineyard on the southwest slope and planted traditional Bordeaux grape varieties.[3] The winery’s name combines “Hestan” from Stanley and Helen, and one of its wines, “Stephanie,” is named for their daughter. The first vintage, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, earned a 95‑point rating from critic Robert Parker.[2]
In January 2011, when China’s President Hu Jintao visited the United States, President Obama hosted a private dinner featuring wine from Hestan Winery.[4]
References
- ↑ Company profile, Meyer Group (archived 2012-06-02)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 “Hong Kong Immigrant Stanley Cheng Builds Meyer Cookware Empire,” Sing Tao Daily North America edition, 2006-01-12
- ↑ “Hu Jintao’s US Dinner Featured Wine from Hestan Winery,” Taipei Forum, archived 2016-05-29
- ↑ “Private Dinner Wine Comes from Hong Kong‑Founded Winery,” Apple Daily, 2011-01-20