News Briefs Suppliers
byNews Briefs Suppliers
October 2018Joe Martin joins StaVin
San Rafael, Calif.—StaVin Inc. hired Joe Martin as its new sales consultant servicing California’s Central Coast wineries. Martin comes to StaVin with more than 20 years of experience in wine production. Most recently, Martin held a winemaking position at Constellation Brands’ Gonzales, Calif., winery, where he specialized in red wines.
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October 2018George Troquato launches consulting business
San Rafael, Calif.—George Troquato, third generation winemaker who’s worked throughout several California wine regions for the past 30 years, has launched his own wine consultanting business. Troquato has been the winemaker at Cinnabar Winery since 1990, and made the first five vintages at Testarossa Winery. “My experience and flexibility can help anyone who wants to make better wines, whether it’s blending wines in barrel, helping to establish a vineyard, or managing an entire wine program from start to finish,” Troquato said in a statement announcing his new company.
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October 2018Active Club Solutions hires new implementation specialist
Pleasanton, Calif.— Active Club Solutions, Inc., provider of DtC solutions hired Susan Ostroski in a new role for the company, as implementation specialist. As implementation specialist, Ostroski will perform a broad range of software implantation and data management and migration projects pertaining to the new client’s winery or distillery.
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October 2018Southern names VP, GM of New England
Miami, Fla.—Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s) appointed Ryan DeVecchio to the position of vice president and general manager of New England. In this role, DeVecchio will be responsible for the company’s performance in New England, and will report directly to Kirt Clemens, executive vice president and general manager of Southern Glazer’s East Control Region.
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October 2018JF Hillebrand launches new platform
San Rafael, Calif.—JFHillebrand, global beverage logistics provider, launched a new, digital customer platform, myHillebrand. Available through the comapany’s website and apps for Apple and Android devices and as a desktop platform, myHillebrand enables JF Hillebrand customers to track shipments from order placement to delivery, receive notifications, manage finances and monitor temperature and emissions levels.
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October 2018Process2Wine acquires Wine Management Systems
San Rafael, Calif.—Wine production and vineyard management software provider Process2Wine acquired San Rafael, Calif.-based Wine Management Systems (WMS), which produces end-to-end software for all winery activities. Process2Wine is based in Penticton, British Columbia and France and had started working with WMS to develop products for the U.S. market in January 2018. The collaboration evolved into an acquisition after positive feedback from WMS clients about the new Process2Wine services, according to a statement by the two companies. Process2Wine provides a web-based system that it claims allows smaller wineries to use the same type of production management systems used by much larger companies such as GPS tracking of vineyard operations, smart phone data entry and barcode tracking.
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October 2018BioTepp natural biopesticide receives funding
Lévis, Qué.— Filaction, a Quebec development fund, and Natural Products Canada (NPC), the national not-for-profit that provides insights, introductions and investment to natural products companies, announced an investment in BioTEPP Inc, a Canadian biotechnology company with an innovative solution to pest management. Details of the deal were not disclosed. The deal reflects the growing global demand for innovation and natural approaches to agri-tech and other sectors. BioTEPP’s VirosoftTM CP4 biopesticide leverages a naturally occurring microorganism for the reduction of codling moth damage on apple, pear, plum, prune, and walnut trees.
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October 2018Parramon: 25 million corks sold, no TCA
Napa, Calif.— Since launching its Protocol Zero program two years ago, Catalonian cork producer Parramon claims to have sold more than 25 million corks without any returns due to TCA. According to a press release by the company, to ensure its corks are TCA free, Parramon controls every step of production from harvest to finished product. After corks go through the inspection process, they are hermetically sealed in Mylar bags and air freighted directly to the client. Parramon also claims to be the cork manufacturer to to use only LED “digital eye-laser probe” smart sorters to differentiate qualities of corks. “We were the first cork company to incorporate TCA testing for every cork as a standard procedure,” said company owner Francesc Parramon. “By focusing on premium natural corks, we can work at a slower, more meticulous pace than the larger industrial producers. This slower pace allows for continuous in-line screening of all corks rather than batch-by-batch selection.”
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October 2018Southern Glazer's hires Vic Conti
Dublin, Ohio—Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s) appointed Vic Conti to the position of vice president and general manager of Ohio. In this role, Conti will be responsible for the company’s performance in Ohio, and will report directly to Pete McLaughlin, executive vice president of Ohio and Kentucky for Southern Glazer’s.
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September 2018Wine Institute releases statement U.S. wine tariff
San Francisco, Calif.—The Wine Institute released a statement on Sept. 19 regarding the additional China tariff increase on U.S. wine. According to the statement, effective Sept. 24, China will add another 10% tariff on U.S. wine imports to the country. The additional 10% tariff is on top of a previous 15% tariff increase implemented in April 2018. When compounded, the new total tax and tariff rate will equal 79%. This action is in response to the U.S. government increasing tariffs on certain consumer goods from China. “China continues to be an important market for California wines, but tariffs put our products at a price disadvantage,” said Robert P. Koch, president and CEO of the Wine Institute in the public statement. "We will continue our full slate of promotional activities there to engage Chinese consumers who are increasingly attracted to California wines.”
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September 2018Dusi Logistics expands hires COO
Paso Robles, Calif.—Michael Dus Logistics (MDL) hired Owen Schmidt as its new chief operating officer. Schmidt joins MDL with 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics; he has held senior executive positions at Cross Border Trading, Advanced Quality Logistics and Performance Team Freight Systems. In his new role, Schmidt will have primary responsibility for the company’s day-to-day operations. MDL also hired Alexandra Lersey as the company’s new controller. Prior to joining MDL, Lersey held senior accounting positions in the wine, media and aerospace industries, including roles with Extant Wines, REC Solar Corporation and Twentieth Century Fox.
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September 2018Europvin USA's hires national sales director
Van Nuys, Calif.—Europvin USA, national importer and sales/marketing agent for Europian wines, hired Matthew Green as the company’s new national sales director. In his new role, Green is responsible for the sales team leadership, generating revenue, strategic growth and contributions to producer sales. Green has 30 years of experience in wine industry sales, portfolio management and business development. Prior to joining Europvin USA, Green held senior positions at Palm Bay as division manager of the Genesis sales division and at Charmer Industries as vice president of fine wines.
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August 2018Resource Label acquires Paragon
Petaluma, Calif.—Resource Label Group announced its acquisition of Paragon Label. Terms of the deal, announced Aug. 20, were not disclosed. Petaluma, Calif.-based Paragon primarily provides lables to wine industry clients in Sonoma and Napa counties. Resource Label is a part of the portfolio of companies owned by the investment firms First Atlantic Capital and TPG Growth. “I am excited to partner with Resource Label to leverage its operational expertise and technical support that will fuel our next phase of growth,” said Paragon founder Jason Grossman in a statement.
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August 2018NFK expands Northern California team (Supplier news)
New York, New York—New York-based Newmark Knight Frank announced senior vice president, John C Vaughan will lead its valuation and advisory practice focused on vineyards and wineries. The firm also hired analysts James Masuda, Chris Deline and Joe Gigantino. The company now has fi…
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July 2018La Garde hires California reps
San Rafael, Calif.—Canadian-based la Garde, a division of SML Stainless Steel Group, hired two new California sales representatives for its U.S. team. Jason Pepper will cover Napa County and the Lodi area starting Aug. 3. Pepper will act as a resource for winemakers interested in r…
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July 2018Metis opens Portland Office
Portland, Ore.—Metis, a Pacific Northwest M&A advisory firm specializing in the hospitality, wine, and beverage alcohol industries, announced it has opened a new office in Portland, expanding its footprint into Oregon. With offices already in Seattle and Walla Walla, the new location is meant to bring more localized service to clients in the Oregon market. The office is headed by managing director Andy Steinman, who joined Metis in this role in 2017.
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July 2018WineDirect and Tock partner
Napa, Calif.—WineDirect and Tock announced an exclusive partnership to fully integrate the companies’ software systems to improve hospitality and sales at wineries throughout North America. According to a statement announcing the partnership, the integration will enable clients to leverage deeper customer insights, improve efficiencies in the tasting room, reduce no-shows and increase direct-to-consumer (DtC) sales.
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July 2018Maspack Packaging completes bottling solution
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Italian-based Maspack Packaging, which specializes in bottling, packaging and robotic solutions for wine, spirts and beverage industries, recently opened an American branch, Maspack Packaging USA, in Santa Rosa Calif. In July, the company announced the completion of its first US bottling solution inside the new Infinity Bottling facility in American Canyon, Calif. Maspack and Infinity celebrated the grand opening Aug. 1.
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July 2018Vinventions shifts toward sustainability
Zebulon, N.C.—Vinventions announced it has plans to strengthen and accelerate its sustainability initiatives for future development and product innovations, marking a strategic shift to become the wine industry’s most sustainable closure company. As part of this decision, Vinventions established a new executive position and appointed Michael Blaise as vice president for sustainability.
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June 2018Compli and Commerce7 partner
Paso Robles, Calif.—Beverage compliance company, Compli, and winery DtC platform, Commerce7 partnered to bring Compli’s destination-based sales tax rates to Commerce7 users. The partnership provides wineries currently using the Commerce7 platform a solution for charging accurate sales markup tax to customers at the time of transaction as well as file monthly tax returns using Compli’s software-enabled services.
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June 2018Nickel and Rombauer majority shareholders of govino
Napa, Calif.—Napa Valley Vintners KR Rombauer and Erik Nickel have acquired a majority interest in govino, the “go anywhere” wine glass, joining original creator, Joseph Perrulli. Nickel and Rombauer were among the first to adopt govino.
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June 2018Free Flow announces new facility and COO
Napa, Calif.—Free Flow Wines announced plans to expand operations and relocate its headquarters to Sonoma, Calif., in January 2019. The new facility is currently under construction at 14900 Carneros Lake Lane, and will include a kegging line, canning services, temperature-controlled bulk wine storage and increased office space. In conjunction with the move, Free Flow will also begin partnering with CanSource, a U.S. and Canada-based can sleeving service. To support the company’s expansion, Free Flow has appointed Rich Bouwer as the new chief operating officer. Bouwer has held previous roles at Saxco International, Treasury Wine Estates and Gallo, and brings more than 25 years of operational and leadership experience.
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June 2018Labeltronix marks 25 years
Anaheim, Calif.—Label supplier Labeltronix is celebrating 25 years in businesss and its growth from selling printers and label suppliers in 1993 to operating a 50,000-square-foot label manufacturing facility with multiple digital and flexographic printing and finishing presses. The…
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June 2018Rack & Riddle automates bottling line
Healdsburg, Calif.—Rack & Riddle announced it upgraded its facilities with a fully automated still wine bottling line. The custom crush provider, which specializes in sparkling wine production, reports the robotic system provides increased output and accuracy for its clients. Installed in late 2017, the bottling line designed by Mas Pack Packaging USA, is now fully operational with all testing and staff training completed. With the new system in place, production line staff decreased from 13 workers per shift to five, but Rack & Riddle claims no jobs were lost in the process as employees were cross-trained for other positions within the company.
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May 2018Enartis to distribute Wine Grenade
Windsor, Calif.—Enartis USA is now the exclusive distributor in North America of the Wine Grenade micro-oxygenation system. Developed in New Zealand, Wine Grenade is designed for small to medium-sized wineries and features a patented oxygen diffusion process. The portable devices are Wi-Fi connected and can collect more than 1,500 data points per day. "We're excited to be working with Enartis to reach more winemakers seeking cost effective access to micro-ox technology, especially those in small to medium sized wineries," said Wine Grenade CEO Hamish Elmslie in a statement announcing the distribution agreement.
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May 2018Vinventions and Vinolok end distribution agreement
San Rafael, Calif.—Vinventions, a wine closure supplier, and Vinolok the manufacturer of the Vinolok and Vinoseal glass closures, announced the “mutual separation of their distribution partnership.” Since 2015, Vinventions has distributed the glass closures but distribution will now be maintained by Vinolok, which is part of the Czeck crystal company Preciosa.
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May 2018Oeneo invests in cooperage, Seguin Moreau hires new rep
Napa, Calif.—Oeneo Group acquired a 51% interest in Tonnellerie Millet, a family-owned cooperage located near Saint-Emilion, France. Following the acquisition, Oeneo’s winemaking division, which already included the Seguin Moreau cooperage, expanded its range of products and gained an additional production facility.
Seguin Morieau Napa Cooperage also announced it hired Justin Moye as a member of its northern California sales team. Moye will be responsible for sales of barrels and barrel alternatives in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, Lodi and the Sierra Nevada foothills.
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April 2018Rottiers retiring from Valentin-Thierion
Napa, Calif.—Valentin-Thierion Corp. the U.S. subsidiary of the supplier based in Epernay, France, announced that general manager Gerard Rottiers will be retiring after more than 40 years in the U.S. and global wine industry. Rottiers worked his first harvest in 1970 and will be moving to the Loire Valley where he will continue to work as a consultant to the wine industry. Antoine Dupont-Calderon who was trained under Rottiers' supervision will be managing the North American company branch of the company that has been in business for 155 years. Based in Napa, Calif., Valentin-Thierion specializes in sparkling wine equipment and technology.
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April 2018Scott Labs exclusive distributor for PALL filters
Petaluma, Calif.—Scott Laboratories announced it is now the exclusive distributor of new machines and all parts, service and technical support for existing and new PALL Oenoflow crossflow systems in the North American wine industry. Scott Labs technicians and PALL staff will be working together on service appointments in the upcoming months to ensure a seamless transition, according to the press release announcing the agreement.
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April 2018SmaK Plastics, Inc. acquires Flextank USA
Vancouver, Wash.—SmaK Plastics, Inc. has acquired wine tank supplier Flextank USA. SmaK Plastics has worked with Flextank since 2007 when the company began manufacturing the rotational molding of Flextank’s tanks. In 2010, Flextank founders and previous owners John and Jan Smeaton hired SmaK Plastics’ vice president of sales Mike Humes as their vice president of operations.
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April 2018Herwatt named CEO of Sonoma Cast Stone
Sonoma, Calif.—James Herwatt is the new CEO of concrete tank supplier Sonoma Cast Stone. Herwatt has more than 30 years of experience in the wine industry and spent the past 22 years managing Cork Supply USA and Tonnellerie Ô. “This is a great opportunity to be working with Steve Rosenblatt and the entire Sonoma Cast Stone team to help expand concrete tank and barrel sales in the United States and throughout the world,” he said in the press release announcing his hiring.
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April 2018New custom facility for small-lot, sparkling wines
Napa Calif.—Christian Troussieux of Brut Bottling announced April 16 the launch of a new custom crush service for sparkling wine. The new business is a collaboration between Troussiux, Steve Ryan, general manager and vice president of Wine Foundry and sparkling winemaker Craig Roemer.
“If you’re a small-lot producer looking to get into sparkling wines, options are quite limited,” Ryan said in an interview with Wines & Vines. He said larger custom crush facilities often require a minimum lot size of 5 tons or more.
The partners plan to combine their areas of expertise: The Wine Foundry will be responsible for pressing, settling, and primary fermentation; Brut Bottling will provide equipment needed for the desired style of sparkling — méthode traditionnelle, pet-nat, or carbonated wines — and Roemer will act as the overseeing winemaker.
Services and facilities are available on a per-package basis, so winemakers new to sparkling wine production can “experiment.” This, again, differs from some of the larger sparkling houses that require an ongoing contract, Ryan said.
Despite just launching this week, Troussieux said they already have five or six wineries interested in using their services, including one as far south as Santa Barbara, Calif. He said he is planning on 15 to 25 more wineries to sign up within the next few months.
The Wine Foundry has the capacity to hold 100 tons, but Ryan said that between him and Troussiux, they have the space and permits to hold more as the business grows. “I like to think of Brut Crustom Crush as an incubator for folks to start a sparkling wine program. Then they can graduate into a larger format program down the road if they want,” he said. “We’ll be the first stepping stone for those small-lot winemakers.”
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April 2018Global Package hires new sales rep
Napa, Calif.—Global Package LLC hired Marieshka Barton as sales representative for the Napa, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara territories. Barton joins Global Package after working in marketing and sales at Sonoma’s Canihan Family Winery and has a Professional Certificate from the Wine Industry Sales Education (W.I.S.E.) in Napa; is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators; and is a Level 1 Sommelier with the Guild of Master Sommeliers.
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April 2018ATP opens Washington facility
Windsor, Calif.—Winemaking products supplier ATPGroup announced the opening of a new warehouse in Grandview, Wash. The new facility is now ATPGroup's fourth warehouse on the West Coast. The company also operates locations in the Californian cities of Paso Robles, Fresno and Windsor. The new warehouse is intended to help ATPGroup better serve customers in the Pacific Northwest customers by providing reduced freight expenses, shorter shipping times as well as increased inventory and product availability. The 10,000-square-foot facility will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and will carry a full product portfolio of brand names for use in the wine, craft beer, cider, spirit and food industries.
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April 2018Glopak hires VP of sales and marketing
Napa, Calif.—Glopak recently appointed J.P. Giovanni as vice president of sales and marketing. Giovanni will be working out of the company’s office in Napa Calif. “I am excited to have joined a company that is well perceived in the market. I am even more stoked to lead a group of talented sales individuals who have taken Glopak to where it is today, paving the way for continued growth forward,” Giovanni said in the press release announcing his hiring.
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March 2018Vinfolio raises $5 million
San Francisco, Calif.—Wine sales and services provider Vinfolio.com announced it secured a new investment of capital and changed its leadership team to gain a greater share of the U.S. fine wine market. CEO Don St. Pierre Jr. and partner Allan Warburg have invested an additional $5 million in the company to secure a majority ownership stake. The company also announced a new leadership team that includes Kevin Zollinger, chief operations officer; Cristina Hall, chief marketing officer; Adam Lapierre, MW, director of procurement and Leah Hammer, director of cellar acquisitions. The company also released a new mobile app to integrate fine wine sales, cellar management, wine storage and content.
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March 2018Oenodia comes to the Central Coast
Napa, Calif.—Oenodia North America announced a partnership with Electrotec Service Company in Paso Robles, Calif., to provide the STARS treatment for tartrate stabilization and pH adjustment to wineries in California’s Central Coast. Electrotec is an established mobile service provider offering a variety of services including metered Velcorin dosing and crossflow filtration. “This is a great technology that provides multiple opportunities for our customers to adjust pH and tartrate stabilize their wines, which enhances wine quality, eliminates wine loss, saves time, energy and water, and requires no additives,” said Andre Austin, CEO of Electrotec, in a press release announcing the new partnership.
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March 2018Vinventions acquires Alplast screwcaps
Zebulon, N.C.—Vinventions announced it acquired the 30 x 60 wine screwcap business of the Italian firm Alplast S.r.l. Following the deal, Vinventions adds more than 200 million wine screwcaps to its portfolio making it the third largest screwcap supplier in the world, according to a statement released by the two companies. Alplast will produce the screwcaps for Vinventions at its factory in Tigliole, Italy, and the Alplast name will become an additional brand for Vinventions and encompass litho-printed and offset printed screwcaps.
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March 2018Berlin Packaging acquires Erben, California Capsules
Chicago, Ill.—Berlin Packaging announced its acquisition of H. Erben Ltd., a supplier of closures, packaging and packaging equipment based in Hadleigh, England. The deal includes Erben’s subsidiary California Capsules, operations in South Africa and the website TheBottleJarStore.co.uk. According to the press release announcing the deal, Berlin Packaging is a $2.6 billion supplier of packaging products across multiple sectors and purchased Bruni Glass in 2016. Following the buy out of Erben, the company now has offices throughout Europe as well as South Africa, China and North America.
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March 2018G3 acquires ColloPack
Napa, Calif.—G3 Enterprises in Modesto, Calif., has acquired the winemaking equipment and supplies dealer ColloPack Solutions. ColloPack sells and distributes equipment from a number of suppliers including Albrigi, Bertolaso, Bortolinkemo, Diemme and Francesca. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed by G3, which sells packaging supplies and logistics services.
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February 2018G3 acquires Tapp Label
Modesto, Calif.—Logistics and packaging supplier G3 Enterprises, Inc., has acquired St. Helena, Calif.-based Tapp Label. The label supplier operates facilities and offices in Napa Valley, Livermore, Calif.; Paso Robles, Calif.; and Portland, Ore. Tapp has expanded and increased its market share in the past decade with several acquisitions of other label suppliers. G3 also acquired Grigsby Label in El Dorado Hills, Calif., in 2016.
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February 2018Promotions at Cork Supply USA
Benicia, Calif.—Cork Supply USA promoted Peter Hladun to vice president and general manager of Cork Supply USA. In his new role, Hladun will lead the development and implementation of the strategic plan for the closure supplier and report directly to the company’s founder and CEO Jochen Michalski. The company also announced Monika Michalski is the global brand manager for Cork Supply Group and will lead all marketing and communications for the Cork Supply brand and products. Greg Hirson was promoted to the post of senior technical services director and will continue to oversee quality control for Cork Supply USA and its cooperage Tonnellerie Ô. Tom Godfrey is the new director of operations for Cork Supply USA and Dinah Palaima is the new human resources director.
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January 2018Global Package hires senior sales rep
Napa, Calif.—Milouda Larsen is the new senior sales representative for Global Package and will be focused on business development in Sonoma and Mendocino counties of California and the state of Oregon. Larsen first started in the wine industry in 1996 at Tonnellerie Radoux and then worked in sales and marketing roles with Lafitte Cork & Capsule and M.A. Silva.
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January 2018AB Bioteck secures distribution deals
St. Louis, Mo.—AB Bioteck, a division of yeast-supplier AB Mauri, has reached distribution deals with BSG Wine and Pacific Coast Chemicals. The Maurivin portfolio of wine yeast will continue to be distributed through Pacific Coast Chemicals, while BSG Wine will start distributing a new line of AB Biotek yeast under the Pinnacle brand. “Both BSG and Pacific Coast Chemicals are known for providing the highest quality products to the North American wine industry, and we’re excited to help them expand the footprint of our Pinnacle and Maurivin brands,” said Greg Strauss, senior vice president of AB Biotek North America, in the statement announcing the distribution deals.
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January 2018Ardagh launches new website for online glass purchases
Indianapolis, Ind.—Glass supplier Ardagh Group launched a new website to enable its clients to purchase wine bottles by the pallet directly online. Called BOB (wine.buyourbottles.com), the site offers six different wine bottles made in the United States including two Burgundy bottles in antique green, two Claret bottles in antique green, one Hock bottle in antique green and a Claret in flint (clear) glass.
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January 2018Waterloo names new VP of operations
Waterloo, N.Y.—Michael Mattia is the new vice president of operations for Waterloo Container. Mattia previously worked for 25 years with Constellation Brands where his most recent role was director of procurement. “We are excited to welcome Michael to our growing company,” said Bill Lutz, president and owner of Waterloo Container Company in the statement announcing the hire. “His vast experience and knowledge in the wine industry will be utilized to enhance our ability to source new products and packaging and to further develop relationships with our larger customer accounts.”
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January 2018Smoke taint samples sought for new product trials
Petaluma, Calif.—French winemaking supplier Oenofrance is seeking samples of wine with smoke taint so its research and development team can test the effectiveness of a new fining agent developed to remove smoke compounds. All samples will remain confidential and Oenofrance can retrieve samples from wineries in California. For samples outside of California, the company is also willing to pay for shipments direct to France. Oenofrance will only share results of the trials to wineries that submitted samples. To submit a sample for the free analysis, contact company’s U.S. office at (707) 321-6363 or oenofrance.com
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January 2018Two New Products Stabilize Tartrates in Wine
Sacramento, Calif.—Enartis USA announced two new products designed to improve the process of cold stabilizing wines and will present them Jan. 24 at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento. The two patented products, Zenith Uno and Zenith Color, have the potential of changing the way wine is processed.This chart from Enartis compares the costs of using the new potassium polyaspartate products (KPA), compared to other cold-stabilization methods: GA = Gum Arabic; MP = Mannoprotein; CMC = Carboxymethyl cellulose; MTA = metatartaric acid; CE = Cation Exchange Resins -- Electrodialysis; Cold = Traditional cold method.READ MORE »
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January 2018Cork Supply expands buy back guarantee
Benicia, Calif.—Portuguese cork producer Cork Supply extended its “bottle buy back” guarantee to include the company’s Vinc technical corks. The Vinc is the company’s new technical closure guaranteed free of discernable TCA contamination and which is produced in Cork Supply’s new factory that opened in 2016. Customers receiving a cork taint claim will be required to return the bottle and cork to the Cork Supply laboratory for inspection. The cork and wine will be tested, and if cork-derived taint is discovered, Cork Supply will reimburse the winery for the retail release price of the wine.
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January 2018Barrel supplier rebrands with new cooperage
Sonoma, Calif.—The Chilean cooperage that sold barrels under the Toneleria Nacional and Mistral Barrels brands, has changed its name to TN Coopers. The name change comes as the company also recently completed a new cooperage in the Casablanca Valley of Chile. The company claims its new cooperage represents one of the largest investments in the Chilean wine industry in recent years. TN Coopers operates in the U.S. from a Sonoma, Calif. office.
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January 2018Sparflex acquires Maverick
Ukiah, Calif.—The French company Sparflex Group acquired capsule producer Maverick Enterprises. Sparflex already owns Rivercap USA. Maverick was founded in 1992 and is based in Ukiah, Calif. The team at Maverick will continue management of the Ukiah facility with the support of Sparflex and its subsidiaries. Sparflex is based in Epernay, France and boasts annual sales of $120 million and maintains production facilities in France, Spain, Australia and the U.S. “We welcome Maverick Enterprises to the Sparflex family of leading brands,” said Michel Soutiran, president of Sparkflex in the statement announcing the acquisition. “We’re determined to strengthen business development in the U.S. and with this acquisition we are well positioned to offer customers better access to local production operations and service.”
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January 2018Baker joins Agrothermal as VP of sales
Napa, Calif.—Patrick Baker is the new vice president of North American sales for Agrothermal Systems. Baker owns a vineyard in the Carneros AVA and before joining Agrothermal was the general manager of the winery software supplier Vintrace.
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December 2017Teplin Nuss celebrates five years
Napa, Calif.—Beverage industry public relations firm Teplin+Nuss celebrated its five-year anniversary of public relations for wine brands and wine-related technologies. Ashley Teplin and Holly Nuss founded the Napa, Calif.-based agency in 2012. Teplin recently was named one of Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers of 2017.”
During the past five years, Teplin+Nuss has worked with leading wine brands including Banshee Wines, Ca’ Momi, CK Mondavi and Family, Grey Stack Cellars, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Donum Estate, The Divining Rod, Lawer Estates, MommyJuice, and Stewart Cellars. The firm also has represented the Carneros Wine Alliance, Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association and Wine Market Council.
In addition, Teplin+Nuss’ experience expands beyond just wine brands to leading companies like Liberation Distribution (LibDib), Free Flow Wines and Clever Girls Collective.
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December 2017ETS and Fruition Sciences to host Oregon Vintage Report
McMinnville, Ore.—ETS Laboratories and Fruition Sciences will co-host the inaugural 2017 Oregon Vintage Report in McMinnville, Ore. on Feb. 8, 2018. The conference will review innovative techniques to grow terroir-driven wines, feature in-depth panel conversations of climate and plant physiological conditions during the 2017 Vintage in Oregon and review new approaches to winegrowing from around the world.
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December 2017SGP Packaging changes name to Verallia USA
Fairfield, Calif.—Glass supplier SGP Packaging announced it changed its name to Verallia USA. The company also announced the launch of World Collection of glass from its Selective Line and the Ebano Collection from Chile. Verallia is a global manufacturer of glass packaging for food and beverages and produced 16 billion glass bottles and jars in 2016. The company owns manufacturing facilities in 13 countries and sales offices in 46 nations with five technical centers and 13 product development centers. The company generated $2.7 billion in total sales in 2016.
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December 2017EWE exhibits sold out
Bob Mignarri, show manager for the Eastern Winery Exposition, has announced that booths at the show are sold out. The conference and trade show will take place March 6-8, 2018, in the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pa. A total of 186 companies will utilize 252 booth spaces, and two additional companies will have tables in the lobby of the conference hall. There is a waiting list for companies interested in exhibiting at EWE if any cancellations occur.
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December 2017Cork groups donate for fire relief
Napa, Calif.—The Portuguese Cork Association and Napa, Calif.-based Cork Quality Council, and its member companies — Portocork, Amorim Cork America, Scott Laboratories, M.A. Silva Corks USA, Lafitte Cork & Capsule and Cork Supply USA — have made a combined donation of $70,000 to assist the victims of the 2017 North Bay wild fires. In addition, the CQC has pledged a donation of 200 cork oak trees to be planted in support of reforestation efforts. According to a press release announcing the donations, the $70,000 went to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund established by the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund, in partnership with Redwood Credit Union, The Press Democrat newspaper and Senator Mike McGuire
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December 2017Cooperages 1912, Oak Solutions Group donate for fire relief
Napa, Calif.—Cooperages 1912 and Oak Solutions Group made a joint donation of $100,000 to The Tipping Point and Redwood Credit Union for wildfire relief efforts in the North Coast area of California. The Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund will receive $50,000 and Redwood Credit Union Community North Bay Fire Relief Fund will receive $50,000. Donations to the Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund will be directed to North Bay community foundations and service providers to support low-income communities hit hardest by the fires. The Redwood Credit Union is receiving donations to support North Bay fire victims in all four affected counties.
“The northern California area and local wine community are close to the heart of our family and our company,” Independent Stave Company CEO Brad Boswell said in the statement announcing the donation. “The impact of the fires on our employees, customers and friends has been immeasurable. This is an opportunity for our companies and our employees to give back to a community that has given so much to our industry.”
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December 2017Universal hires VP of quality systems
Vernon, British Columbia—Universal Packaging hired James Aprile as vice president of quality systems. Aprile worked for the past 15 years at E. & J. Gallo Winery and Gallo Glass Co., where he worked in quality control, supply chain and plant operations using LEAN Six Sigma.
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December 2017WS Packaging wins awards
Green Bay, Wisc.—WS Packaging Group announced it had won five awards at the 40th annual Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute Awards Competition. The company won Best of Class in the Offset Wine and Spirits category as well as four category awards including first and second place in offset – line/prime printing in wine and spirits, second place in digital printing and first place in flexography.
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November 2017TricorBraun names new packaging consultant
Fairfield, Calif.—Mario Carofanello is a new packaging consultant for TricorBraun WinePak. Carofanello joins the company with more than 20 years of wine industry experience including retail, packaging, closure solutions, software development and barrel production. With a background in hospitality management and software sales, Carofello attended the University of California, Davis Extension program in OIV, Viticulture and Enology and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Utah in recreation and leisure and a Certificate in Hospitality Management.
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November 2017Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty managing partner dies
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Greg Walsh, the managing partner of the law firm Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, died from a heart attack at the age of 42. The firm announced Walsh’s death on its website and described him as “a beloved father, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, music lover, sports fan, adventurer, memory-maker, mentor, colleague and lawyer.” A memorial celebration is planned for Nov. 28 at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Garden in the Grand Reserve Hall located at 5007 Fulton Road in Santa Rosa, Calif. The family requests donations be made in his honor to the “Declan Walsh Special Needs Trust” in lieu of flowers. Checks may be sent to DP&F, 1455 First St., Suite 301, Napa, Calif. 94559. Credit card donations may be made by phone by calling DP&F at 707-252-7122.
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November 2017Cork supplier Trefinos opens U.S. operation
Napa, Calif.—Spanish cork producer Trefinos SL has opened an office and warehouse in California. The company’s new venture in the U.S. coincides with its development of the CWINE brand of technical cork closures that are produced with Trefinos’ process in treating cork granules with super critical carbon dioxide to strip out TCA and other impurities. The suppler offers an individual guarantee on the closures available in three different ranges of permeability.
“With the growth in the U.S. market, especially in the technical cork segment, we see a perfect opportunity to establish a local presence to better serve the growing market and customer needs,” said Cristina Ginesta, general manager of Trefinos, in a statement announcing Trefinos USA.
Based in Girona, Spain, Trefinos has produced corks for more than 250 years. The company is printing, coating and filling orders from a facility in Napa. compacwine.com
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November 2017Shelco Filters expands production facility
Middletown, Conn.—Shelco Filters expanded its manufacturing facility by more than 20,000 square feet. The expansion reflects recent growth and will allow the company to increase production and testing of its MicroVantage filter cartridges as well as its other products. Shelco’s MicroVantage pleated cartridges, membrane cartridges and high-purity cartridges are designed for a variety of industries from food and beverage to chemicals, gases and paints.
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October 2017TricorBraun names new president and CEO
St. Louis, Mo.—TricorBraun, the global packaging company that includes the wine packaging supplier TricorBraun WinePak, named Court Carruthers as its president and CEO. Carruthers is replacing Keith Strope who will become executive chairman.
According to the statement announcing the change, Carruthers worked with AEA Investors over the last two years and has served on TricorBraun's board of directors since AEA's purchase of the company. He previously spent 13 years with W.W. Grainger Inc., serving in various global leadership roles, most recently as group president, Americas. In this role, he was responsible for the company's $9 billion business across North and South America, including 15,000 employees in more than 500 locations, as well as e-commerce and technology innovation for the company.
Strope has worked for TricorBraun for 36 years. He was appointed COO in 1997 and CEO in 2002. Under his leadership, the company has grown more than five-fold and enhanced its capabilities by globalizing its supply chain, expanding its product offerings and augmenting its design expertise. Strope will continue in an active role as executive chairman with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, strategy, and further expanding industry and customer relationships.
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October 2017Glass Packaging Institute awards
Arlington, Va.—The Glass Packaging Institute, a trade association representing the North American glass container industry, announced its 2017 Clear Choice Award winners. The awards recognize innovation and design in glass packaging, and the winners were selected by an independent panel of packaging professionals for a variety of beverage categories. The 2017 winners for beer, cider, wine and spirits include:
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October 2017TricorBraun hires new sales consultant
Fairfield, Calif.—TricorBraun WinePak hired Steve Grande as packaging consultant. Grande previously was an account manager for Ramondin Capsules and prior to that position was assistant winemaker for Peterson Winery in Dry Creek Valley. Grande has worked in all aspects of the wine business and has experience in direct sales, sales management, marketing and public relations.
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October 2017Nadalié Group names next generation owners
Calistoga, Calif.—The Nadalié Group announced ownership of the 115-year-old cooperage has been transferred to the fifth generation of the Nadalié family. Siblings Christine, Stephane, Guillaume and Vincent now own the Medoc, France-based company that includes Nadalié USA, Tonnellerie Nadalié, Tonnellerie Marsannay and other brands. In their new positions, Vincent will act as president of Nadalié USA while continuing to oversee its sales team, Stephane will be president of the Nadalié Group and Guillaume will remain president of Nadalié Oak Add ins. Christine will continue act as vice president of sales for the Nadalié Group as well as general manager of Marsannay, and will remain the winemaker of her two brands, Beau-Rivage and Clos la Boheme. Founded in 1980, the company's Calistoga facility was the first French-owned cooperage to open in the United States.
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October 2017Steamericas, Hotsy-Pacific offering free rentals for fire victims
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Steamericas and its northern California dealer Hotsy Pacific are offering free equipment rentals to wineries and other victims of the numerous fires in Northern California. The companies can provide pressure washers and Optima Steamers and are dispatching additional mobile units to assist wineries operating without power. Contact Hotsy Pacific at (800) 640-1227 or visit hotsypacific/firecleanup more information and to request assistance.
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October 2017New VP at TricorBraun Winepak
Fairfield, Calif.—TricorBraun Winepak named David Jewell its new vice president of operations. Before joining TricorBraun Winepak, Jewell worked for nine years in finance and operations at Constellation Brands and, prior to that, worked in operation strategies for a Mexican brewery and glass plant.
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October 2017Labeltronix label wins two awards
Anaheim, Calif—Labeltronix won first place in the wine and beer label category of the Package Printing Excellence Awards for a label the company created for Chateau Montelena Winery in Napa Valley. The award was the second win for the label, which also was honored for Excellence in Flexography from the Flexographic Technical Association. The supplier reports judges noted the label for “its tonal range on the image, the use of tactile varnish as a complement to the flexo printing, and its luminescent foil and sculptured embossing embellishments.”
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October 2017New GM of Oeneo winemaking division
Paris—Nicolas Mäher-Besse is the new general manager of the Oeneo Group winemaking division. Mäher-Besse previously was the general manager of Seguin Moreau and prior to that position worked in sales in for the cooperage in France. In his new role, Mähler-Besse will continue to manage the development of Seguin Moreau as well direct the operational management of barrel alternative supplier Vivelys and Boisé France.
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September 2017LibDib hires sales VP
San Jose, Calif.—Liberation Distribution (LibDib), a web-based wholesale alcohol distributor, announced it has hired Amanda Rehn as vice president of platform sales. Rehn previously worked at Big Basin Vineyards as national sales manager. Prior to that position, Rehn was regional sales manager for Grandes Places Selections. According to the statement released by the company, LibDib currently employs 15 full-time employees and plans to double that number in the next six to twelve months.
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September 2017Monvera wins 'best of show' in printing contest
Napa, Calif.—Glass decoration supplier Monvera Glass Décor announced it received three awards at the 31st annual Package Printing Excellence Awards in Philadelphia, Pa. The awards included best in show for a beer bottle label that featured shoulder and neck printing on a glass bottle printed with a Fermac RUV machine with computer numerical control technology. According to a press release by Monvera, the two-color label was printed using five printing stations to facilitate the 360° wrapping around the shoulder and neck of the bottle. The same label also won first place in the screen labels category in which another label, Monvera produced for Cool Fish Wines, won third. The Cool Fish Wines label was produced with a four-color process screen print with UV ink.
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September 2017Cook retiring from TricorBraun
Fairfield, Calif.—TricorBraun WinePak announced Heidi Cook has retired from her position as packaging consultant. Cook formerly worked as sales manager for Richards Packaging before joining TricorBraun Winepak in 2008 and has spent 25 years in wine packaging. Michelle Thornburn and Derek Payne have both been promoted to the position. "I am pleased that Michelle Thornburn, who has worked so diligently and relentlessly to service this industry, will take over my responsibilities along with Derek Payne who I worked with at Richards Packaging, and has vast knowledge of the industry,” Cook said in the news release. “Along with Andrew Bottene, I know the WinePak team will continue its success into the next phase of packaging development for our British Columbia wineries."
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September 2017Thornburn promoted at TricorBraun
Fairfield, Calif.—TricorBraun WinePak, a wine bottle distributor and subsidiary of TricorBraun, has promoted Michelle Thornburn to packaging consultant. Thornburn formerly acted as account coordinator and prior to that position worked in the purchasing department for Columbia Packaging, which was acquired by TricorBraun in 2008.
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August 2017Wagner retiring at Balzac Communications
Napa, Calif.—Balzac Communications & Marketing announced Paul Wagner is retiring from his position as president. Wagner will take the title president emeritus and will remain a strategic consultant to the food and beverage marketing communications agency. Chief executive officer Michael Wangbickler will replace Wagner as president. Wangbickler has managed the company for the past three years and joined the agency in 2004.
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August 2017M.A. Silva USA announces new GM
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Ted DeHaan is the new general manager of M.A. Silva USA, the Sonoma County based supplier of corks and glass. DeHaan joins the company with a fifteen-year background in the packaging industry where he worked in a variety of leadership positions and holds a degree in industrial and systems engineering from the Ohio State University. “Ted will be a fantastic asset to our company,” Neil Foster, president of M. A. Silva USA said in a press release. “He brings a wealth of invaluable experience to our growing company and our clients.”
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August 2017Strong demand for optical sorters
Woodland, Calif.—Woodside Electronics Corp (WECO), an agricultural optical sorting systems manufacturer, announced it has doubled production of its WineGrape Tek Optical Sorters. According to a statement by WECO, the company has focused supplying the wine industry since 2010 and credits the increase in sales to quality engineering, on-site technical support, a flexible sorter rental option and the fact that is offering an American-made machine. “We’re very fortunate to have a fantastic team here at WECO,” Bryan Chambers, director of wine grape operations for WECO said in the press release, “and even more fortunate to have partnered with some very high profile customers in the wine making industry”.
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August 2017Tremeaux opens new studio for barrel production
Beaune, France—Tonnellerie Tremeaux, a cooperage in Beaune, France, announced it is building a new custom atelier, or studio, designed for both barrel production and onsite wine tastings. Once complete, the company will move all production from the existing facility to the new one.
Founded in 2010 by Burgundy native Ludovic Tremeaux, the tonnellerie has since become known for its French oak seasoned barrels and unique, one-meter high chimney stacking method. While Tremeaux says the stacking method requires more space in the stave yard, it provides optimal air flow, and the wood is more exposed to the elements.
“Our goal is for Tremeaux barrels to respect and highlight the fruit, always honoring the work and vision of the vigneron,” Tremeaux said in the press release announcing the new cooperage. “We intentionally limit our production to best oversee oak maturation and ensure every barrel receives the same, careful attention while it is crafted and toasted in our workshop.”
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August 2017Wine.com announces investment, launches new website
San Francisco, Calif.—Online wine retailer Wine.com, launched a new website and mobile app and announced it had raised $15 million for existing investors to capitalize on the company's recent growth. The new website features "streamlined design and filtering capabilities, more granular geographic regions and varietals, enhanced wine and winery content."
The mobile app includes a label scanner, wine database, and live chat wine experts. The company, which now reports more than $100-million in annual revenue, announced it grew 25% in the quarter ending June 30, doubling its five-year average annual growth rate.
“Wine.com’s rapid growth is a clear indication that the company is aligned with emerging trends in the beverage alcohol space," Danny Brager, senior vice president, Beverage Alcohol Practice at Nielsen commented in a news release by Wine.com. "As the wine market continues to shift online, Wine.com is tapping into key growth areas such as e-commerce and mobile, alongside the rising influence of millennials — critical components for today's $33.6 billion U.S. wine market."
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August 2017Vogelsang names new NorCal distributor
Novato, Calif.—Vogelsang announced the company's wine pump division has partnered with Thomas & Associates, a northern California pump equipment distributor. Thomas & Associates, thomaspumps.net, will now be Volgelsang Wine Pump Division’s main point of contact for sales and support questions for the Northern California region. Vogelsang provides both mobile and stationery wine pumps for the wine industry.
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August 2017M. A. Silva opens new facility
Santa Rosa, Calif.—M.A. Silva USA announced the opening of a new sparkling wine and cork closure manufacturing facility in Santa Maria de Feira, Portugal. According to a news release, the move reflects the vertical integration of M.A. Silva U.S.A. and M.A. Silva Portugal and will allow the company to significantly increase production to keep up with recent growth in the cork market. The 64,500-square-foot building is the result of a $4.1 million investment by the cork supplier and created 35 jobs. “This expansion is ultimately the result of the substantial growth we’ve seen in the cork business over the last years,” said Neil Foster, president of M.A. Silva USA. “It will allow us to significantly increase our technical cork production.”
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August 2017Organic Growers Summit opens registration
Monterey, Calif.—Registration is now open for the inaugural Organic Growers Summit hosted by the California Certified Organic Farmers and Organic Produce Network. The summit, to be held Dec. 13-14 in Monterey, Calif., was created to connect organic growers with supply and service providers. The event will feature a trade show and exhibitions as well as industry-focused educational seminars and panel discussions.
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August 2017Ardagh Group opens Napa office
Napa, Calif.—The Ardagh Group, Glass-North America announced the opening of a new office in Napa, Calif., to better serve customers of Ardagh Direct, a program launched in January to provide wineries west of the Rocky Mountains direct access to Ardagh Group glass bottles.
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August 2017Flowcrete names new Americas VP
Spring, Texas—Flowcrete Americas, a division of Flowcrete Group Ltd., an international polymer floor manufacturer, named Ben Smith its new vice president.…
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August 2017Chronicle launches online wine guide
San Francisco, Calif.—Northern California's largest print newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle, announced the debut of The Press, an online, mobile-friendly and interactive guide to California wine country featuring reviews from wine critic Esther Mobley, food editor Paolo Lucchesi and restaurant critic Michael Bauer. According to the Chronicle, the online portal was created to give users access to a portable, user-friendly guide that can be used from home or on the road.
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August 2017Hortau announces new VP of business development
San Luis Obispo, Calif.—Hortau has named Trevor Mecham vice president of business development. Mecham was formerly vice president of agriculture and construction verticals at the data analytics company Uptake. Prior to that position, Mecham was director of precision solutions and telematics at CNH Industrial, and worked at Leica Geosystems where he helped develop agriculture products, including SaaS telematics services. Mecham will be in charge of developing new ventures, partnerships and additional revenue streams for Hortau within the agriculture industry.
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July 2017Cooperages 1912 donates for SSU scholarships
Rohnert Park, Calif.—Cooperages 1912 announced it is donating $10,000 per year for the next five years, $50,000 in total, to the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. The donation directly benefits the Wine Industry Scholars Program, created to fund scholarships for first-generation college students.
The move reflects the company’s ongoing support of wine education programs throughout the United States, including partnerships with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; California State University, Fresno; Univeristy of California, Davis; Washington State University and University of Missouri. Cooperages 1912, is a fourth-generation, family-owned company that produces oak barrels under the brands T.W. Boswell and World Cooperage.
“Sonoma County has been good to us over the years. It’s important to give back to help the community flourish and support the students who are the future of the wine industry," said Elizabeth Van Emst, general manager of Cooperages 1912, in the press release announcing the donation.
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July 2017Cork Supply hires operations manager
Benicia, Calif.—Tom Godfrey joined Cork Supply USA as operations manager for cork and distributed products. Godfrey has 19 years of experience in supply chain planning, operations and program management. Godfrey will oversee cork production and shipping teams. In addition to degrees in management and economics, Godfrey is a Lean Six-Sigma Blackbelt.
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July 2017N.J. distributors to merge
Trenton, N.J.—Breakthru Beverage and Allied Beverage Group announced July 17 that the two companies are merging wholesale companies in New Jersey. The integrated company will operate as Allied Beverage Group and will be the state’s largest distributor with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion, according to the press release announcing the merger.
In the same statement, Jeffrey Altschuler, Allied Beverage Group President and CEO said, “We have found a great partner in Breakthru and look forward to combining their strong practices with our own to create a truly best-in-class business combining enhanced selling capabilities with state of the art 21st century distribution technology. Our aim is to bring even greater value to our customers and supplier partners."
Jon Maslin, President of Breakthru Beverage New Jersey said: “There are clearly things that Allied and Breakthru each do well. We complement one another, and we know that we will create greater sales and other capabilities that will truly enhance the organization. We are excited for what the future holds as one company.”
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July 2017Americo Amorim dies at 82
Lisbon, Portugal—Americo Amorim, known as the “King of Cork” for building his fortune on cork stoppers and believed to be Portugal’s wealthiest man, died Thursday. He was 82.
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July 2017Ramondin acquires Chilean screw cap factory
Napa, Calif.—Ramondin S.A., a multinational capsule company, has purchased INESA, a Chilean subsidiary of the Córpora group. Through the acquisition, Ramondin adds a fifth production facility to complement plants in Argentina, the United States, Spain and France. INESA produces screw caps for the Latin American market and the merger gives Ramondin the infrastructure to build their screw cap segment in Chile, Argentina and other markets.
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June 2017Changes at Wine Enthusiast, Advocate
Napa, Calif.—Joe Czerwinski is leaving the Wine Enthusiast after nearly 18 years to become the new managing editor of digital publications for Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Wine Journal and Hedonist’s Gazette. Lauren Buzzeo, former senior editor, was promoted to the managing editor position at Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Czerwinski joins the wine review team of the Advocate and will be covering Australia, New Zealand, the Rhône Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon. Czerwinski formerly reviewed Australian, New Zealand, and Rhône wines for the Wine Enthusiast. The Advocate’s editor-in-chief, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, will no longer be reviewing Australia and New Zealand wines and instead reviewing the wines of California’s Central Coast, according to a post about the changes she wrote on the Robert Parker website.
Wine Enthusiast also appointed Christina Pickard to the role of contributing editor for Australia and New Zealand, and contributing editor Anna Lee Iijima, currently the taster for New York and German, will now also review wines of the Rhône Valley.
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April 2017Cork Supply hires supply chain specialist
Benecia, Calif.—Cork Supply USA hired Daniel Brodie as a supply chain specialist. Brodie will be responsible for managing logistics and maintaining long-term relationships the company’s suppliers. Brodie has more than 16 years’ experience in logistics and holds a bachelor’s degree in science from California Maritime Academy and a MBA from JFK University.
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April 2017Monvera opens new office in Napa
Richmond, Calif.—Monvera Glass Décor, a supplier of wine bottle decoration with a specialty in screen printing, opened a second office Napa, Calif. The new office is located in the Napa Valley Commons area in the southern half of Napa Valley. Managing the new office is Phil Orem who joined the Monvera team at the end of 2016. Orem has experience in a variety of sales, business development and management roles on both the winery side and supplier side of the wine industry, according to a press release by Monvera.
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March 2017Erbslöh earns FSSC 22000 certification
Rheingau, Germany—Erbslölh announced it had earned FSSC 22000 certification on March 17. After more than 20 years with ISO 9001 certification, the beverage specialist earned the new certification that combines the ISO 22000 standard with Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) and is tailored to the food industry’s needs. The new certification meets the requirements made of food industry suppliers by international commercial standards such as IFS and BRC.
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March 2017Promotions at Cork Supply USA
Benicia, Calif.—Cork Supply USA promoted Christine Matusek to operations manager for cork and distributed products. Matusek had previously been the company's business process engineer and continuous improvement engineer. In her new role, Matusek will manage a production team and ov…
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March 2017New web-based distribution portal
San Jose, Calif.—The founders of the new company Liberation Distribution claim the new web-based distribution portal provides a new and easy path to wholesale sales for beverage alcohol suppliers. The website is set up to facilitate sales in California by April 5 and has plans to bring the New York market online soon.
Liberation Distribution, or LibDib, is a three-tier compliant web-based platform designed to link retailers and on-premise accounts with wine, beer and spirits producers. “Distributor and producer consolidation has created a closed market where the little guys cannot get their product into distribution and accounts are being squeezed to purchase beer, wine and craft spirits from the very largest suppliers,” said LibDib Founder and CEO, Cheryl Durzy, a 20-year wine industry veteran in a statement announcing the launch of the company. “While managing my family’s brand I became incredibly frustrated by the lack of options available today. All brands deserve a route to market and LibDib creates an opportunity where makers and buyers can work directly together.”
Wineries and breweries, or “makers” as LibDib refers to them, upload licenses and basic information and define product selection, calculate their listed wholesale price and pick where to distribute. Transactions on the LibDib platform will go live in California on April 5, allowing restaurants, bars and retailers in the state to order from makers of any size and from any location. Due to price posting in New York, transactions will go live in the coming months.
The LibDib web-based platform handles the invoicing, payment processing, collections and taxes. The company has been beta testing with a select group of makers and on and off premise accounts over the past few months. LibDib charges a per transaction fee of around 15%, but plans to allows wineries and other "makers" to list their products on the website for free.
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March 2017New rep at Valentin Thierion
Sonoma, Calif.—Antoine Dupont Calderon is the new sales and service associate at Valentin Thierion Corp. Calderon previously worked at several wineries in California and has received training in Epernay, France about the company’s line of specialized equipment for producing sparkling wine.
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February 2017Cork Supply hires new sales consultants
Cork Supply of Benicia, Calif., announced the addition of two new sales consultants. Sam Parrague will be responsible for the company’s cork and closures customers throughout Sonoma, and Joey Castagnola will cover accounts in Napa and the Central Valley. Castagnola joins Cork Supply from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, where he served as chain sales merchandiser for Constellation brands, and Parrague most recently worked at Fathom, where he managed 3D printing and manufacturing.
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February 2017Free Flow and Gotham Project partner on Filling Station
Bayonne, N.J.—The Gotham Project and Free Flow Wines have opened a new kegging operation the two companies own and manage together to serve the eastern United States. Filling Station East is located in Bayonne, N.J. and will keg imported wines in reusable, stainless steel kegs. According to the statement announcing the new facility, the collaboration enables Gotham Project and Free Flow Wines to create a coast-to-coast national platform with a dedicated fleet of more than150,000 stainless steel kegs. The new 12,000 square foot facility will also act as an east coast hub for wine on tap training, education and marketing. Both Gotham Project and Free Flow have spent the last seven years pioneering the wine on tap market, which is on track to exceed 300,000 kegs (650,000 9-liter cases) in 2017.
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February 2017New account manager at Portocork
Napa, Calif.—Cork supplier Portocork hired Daniel Bishofberger to its sales team as account manager. Daniel joins Portocork after more than nine years of wine industry experience including; wine sales, wine technology sales and most recently with wine marketing firm Chatterbox Wine Marketing Services. Bishofberger will manage accounts in Napa and Sonoma counties and key accounts across the U.S. for Portocork.
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January 2017Diam unveils natural closure option
Sacramento, Calif.—French supplier Diam unveiled its new Origine closure at the recent Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. The Origine is produced similarly to other Diam closures, but beeswax is used as the filling agent for the agglomerated cork granules, which are held together with a binder produced from plant material. The Origine is available with an oxygen transmission rates similar to the Diam 10 and 30 closures and in the near future will be extended as an option across Diam’s entire portfolio.
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January 2017Single mill series of barrels
Benicia, Calif.—Tonnellerie Ô released a new line of American oak barrels, which it is calling the Single Mill Series. The barrels are produced with family-owned stave mills in Minnesota, Missouri and Virginia. The barrels are made with wood that has aged for 36 months and are available in 200 liter, 225L, 228L and 265L sizes with a thin-stave option for the 225L. Available toasts include blond, medium, medium-plus, heavy as well as custom.
“We’re excited to highlight the unique characteristics of these American forests from our stave mill partners,” saod Quinn Roberts, master cooper at Tonnellerie Ô, in the press release announcing the new product line. “By offering barrels made exclusively from wood harvested by individual mills in diverse regions, we’re giving winemakers and distillers a wide range of oak profiles to choose from.”
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January 2017Parramon adds individual cork screening
Napa, Calif.—Catalonian cork supplier Parramon is now conducting individual screening on all of the corks it sells in North American and is guaranteeing those corks will be free of TCA contamination. “We are the first and only cork company to incorporate the TCA testing of every cork we produce as a standard procedure, not an added option for an added fee,” company owner Francesc Parramon said in the statement announcing the new testing system.
The supplier is calling its new system “Protocol Zero.” The system involves a unique electronic detection device that Parramon claims is accurate to less than 0.5 ng/L.
Because it runs its production line slower than other cork suppliers, Parramon says it can conduct continuous in-line screening rather than batch-by-batch analysis. Corks that pass the screening device continue on in the production process and are then packaged in sealed bags for shipping.
Founded in 1956 in Girona, 62 miles northeast of Barcelona, Spain, Parramon sells to more than 800 customers in 13 countries and its U.S. office is in Napa, Calif.
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January 2017Cork Supply USA hires production supervisor
Benecia, Calif.—Victor Galindo is the new production supervisor for Cork Supply USA. Galindo has more than 35 years of manufacturing and production leadership and specializes in enhancing efficiencies of production lines. Galindo most recently was with Franklin Distillers in Fairfield, Calif.
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January 2017Vintage Nurseries name changed to Wonderful Nurseries
Wasco, Calif.—Vintage Nurseries, which claims to be the largest grapevine nursery in North America, changed its name to Wonderful Nurseries. The nursery is part of the Wonderful Company’s portfolio of agricultural businesses including Pom Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios & Wonderful Almonds, Justin Vineyards & Winery, Landmark Wines and others.
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January 2017Union Pacific acquires Railex
Omaha, Neb.—Union Pacific purchased Railex LLC’s refrigerated and cold storage distribution facilities in Delano, Calif., Wallula, Wash., and Rotterdam, N.Y. Railex offers refrigerated rail transport services for food and other temperature sensitive products including wine. Railex will continue to manage its centers through the transition and integration with Union Pacific.
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January 2017IMI Global Acquires SureHarvest
Castle Rock, Colo.—Where Food Comes From Inc. (d.b.a. IMI Global Inc.), the largest independent verifier of food-production practices in North America, announced it is acquiring SureHarvest Inc.READ MORE »
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December 2016Derreumaux joins Wine Grenade
Napa, Calif.—Cyril Derreumaux is the new manager of sales and distribution for Wine Grenade, a New Zealand company that produces a micro-oxygenation system. Derreumaux previously was at Laffort where he was business development manager and prior to that he was general manager at Vivelys. Derreumaux will be responsible for supporting California winemakers and developing new channels to market for Wine Grenade’s hand held devices that replicate oak barrel maturation inside steel tanks by dispersing tiny amounts of oxygen through a moving permeable membrane.
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December 2016Bank of the West led syndication on Duckhorn deal
San Francisco, Calif.—Bank of the West’s Commercial Banking Group led the syndication for the financing of the acquisition of Duckhorn Wine Company by the equity investor, TSG Consumer Partners, LLC. The transaction encompasses all six DWC wineries — Duckhorn Vineyards, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Migration, Decoy and Canvasback — their corresponding properties, along with estate vineyard holdings spanning more than 600 acres in California’s Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, and Washington State’s Red Mountain. Adam Beak, head of the Beverage Group for Bank of the West Commercial Banking Group, led the transaction for the bank.
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December 2016Agrothermal Systems moves to Napa
Napa, Calif.—Agrothermal Systems has moved in to a new, 8,000-square-foot warehouse and office building in Napa, Calif. CEO Marty Fischer said in a statement that the new location offered the space for the growing company that provides “thermaculture” services to increase yields, reduce pesticide use and help with other vineyard operations.
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December 2016Oenodia adds mobile unit
Napa, Calif.—Oenodia added a second mobile unit for its STARS tartrate stabilization and pH adjustment services. The new mobile unit, built just for the North American market, includes Oenodia’s reverse osmosis technology powered by the unit’s own generator and is faster and more efficient.
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December 2016Vintage now providing 100% testing
Wasco, Calif.—Utilizing the capabilities of its new, in-house laboratory, Vintage Nurseries announced it is now providing 100% scion testing of the supplier’s internal mother blocks for all known grape viruses and pathogens, Pierce’s Disease and Red Blotch. The company also plans to soon add fungal and bacterial testing at its laboratory that uses quantitative polymerase chain reaction (aPCR) analysis.
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October 2016Free Flow taps $9 million for East Coast facility
Boca Raton, Fla.—Veritas Financial Partners is providing Free Flow Wines $9 million in financing through a growth equity investment in the kegging operation based in Napa, Calif. Free Flow Wines is using the investment to fund the opening of an East Coast kegging facility to expand its keg leasing, filling and logistics services. Free Flow owns and manages more than 125,000 kegs that its winery clients use to provide wine on tap to restaurants and other on-premise accounts throughout the United States. “Finding a debt partner who was able to understand our complex business model and support our aggressive growth was critical,” said Free Flow CEO Jordan Kivelstadt in a press release. “The Veritas team took the time to understand our business, and then provided a very competitive and flexible financing package.”
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October 2016Executives join Bank of the West beverage group
San Francisco, Calif.—Perry DeLuca and Peter Hsu joined Bank of the West Commercial Banking Group’s Beverage Group as managing directors and Tony Bowker is the group’s new director of business development. The Beverage Group is a specialized unit of the Agribusiness Division of the Commercial Bank Group. DeLuca, Hsu and Bowker will report to Adam Beak, the group’s managing director.
DeLuca previously was a senior vice president at Wells Fargo Bank where he managed the wine, food and beverage business, and Hsu spent nearly 20 years at Wells Fargo where he most recently was regional team lead of the North Coast Regional Commercial Banking Office. Bowker is the former president of Virtue Holdings and before that he was the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Goose Island Beer Company.
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October 2016Bronco first U.S. wine company to use Helix
Modesto, Calif.—Bronco Wine Company will be the first U.S. wine company to use the new Helix closure developed by glass supplier O-I and cork producer Amorim. The Helix is a “twist-to-open” cork stopper that fits a specially designed bottle. O-I and Amorim developed the closure to combine the benefits of cork and glass with the ease of a twist off closure that can also be used to reseal the bottle. The Helix debuted in 2013 at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France and just now is poised to appear on retail shelves as the closure for Bronco’s Red Truck brand.
Amorim and O-I note that the Helix provides the “satisfying pop” as the cork is released, which the companies say is still an intrinsic part of the wine experience for many consumers. “Wine consumers in America have a growing understanding of the role quality cork and quality wine play in delivering their wine in a sustainable but yet premium format,” Bronco CEO Fred Franzia said in a statement. “We are proud at Bronco to be the first winery in America to deliver this incredible innovation.”
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October 2016Saxco acquires Brick Packaging
Horsham, Pa.—Saxco International acquired Brick Packaging Corporation in Traverse City Mich. Saxco International is a provider of rigid packaging for the liquor, wine, beer and food industries. Founded by Dan Brick, who started by selling natural corks, Brick Packaging supplies a variety of packaging materials for the wine industry. “Brick Packaging is an exciting addition to the Saxco team,” said Saxco CEO Matthew Malenfant in a statement announcing the deal. “It enhances our strategy for custom packaging services to the wine industry in Michigan and surrounding midwestern states.”
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September 2016Cooper plants more than 20,000 trees
Ladoix-Serrigny, France—Since launching its “One Barrel, One Tree” campaign to plant a tree for every barrel it sells about a year ago, Tonnellerie Cadus announced it has planted more than 20,000 trees. The cooperage is working with a Burgundy nursery to tend to the young oak trees and a third party group to confirm the long-term health of the trees planted through the program.
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September 2016Chandler joins Wine Market Council
St. Helena, Calif.—Mark Chandler joined the Wine Market Council as the group’s first membership director. Chandler, a 35-year wine industry veteran and grape grower, will work with the council’s board to increase membership and achieve the council’s primary goal of increasing, strengthening and stabilizing the U.S. market. Chandler is the former executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, former CEO of WineAmerica and Supreme Knight of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine. The Wine Market Council is a non-profit association of grape growers, wine producers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and other wine businesses.
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August 2016ACME buys VinoVisit
San Francisco, Calif.—ACME Technologies acquired wine tasting room reservation service VinoVisit, which is based in Napa, Calif. ACME, which provides ticketing, back office and CRM services for events, will take over operations for VinoVisit and begin offering its existing winery clients its enterprise cloud platform for customer engagement through front desk, web, mobile, group sales, call center, membership, education and retail sales. Dan Lintz is ACME's general manager of winery business and the founder and former CEO of VinoVisit.
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August 2016Winebow acquires Henry Wine Group
Richmond, Va.—The Winebow Group, a national importer and distributor of wine and spirits, announced its acquisition of The Henry Wine Group in Benicia, Calif. According to a press release announcing the deal, the two firms plan to merge operations in California and operate there as The Henry Wine Group. Through the acquisition, The Winebow Group will now distribute to 20 states. The Winebow Group is also acquiring Zephyr Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Henry Wine Group, which operates a statewide logistics network and has more than 25 years of experience managing the storage and delivery of fine wine in California.
"Our shared commitment to fine wine, craft spirits, education and the highest levels of service make this an excellent fit," said Ed Hogan, who joined The Henry Wine Group in 2012 as president and CEO, and will stay on with the company to manage day-to-day operations. "The entire Henry Wine Group team will benefit from an expanded offering of exceptional brands and an increased infrastructure that will enable us to further strengthen our position and service to our customers."
Founder Warner Henry will join the advisory board of The Henry Wine Group.
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July 2016Smart joins Agrothermal team
Walnut Creek, Calif.—Dr. Richard Smart, author of Sunlight into Wine, has joined Agrothermal Systems as a consultant to further develop the company’s Thermaculture process of treating vines with hot air. Smart is a regular contributor to Practical Vineyard & Winery Management, which is published inside Wines & Vines, the author of hundreds of academic articles and holds two doctorate degrees.
“The effect of hot air movement through the canopy appears to have significant effects on both disease control and flowering and fruit development as the company has seen in numerous trials,” he said in a statement released by Agrothermal. “The concept of instantaneous heat shock is a true innovation. How the plant reacts and our ability to manipulate this response is another fascinating area of study and potential crop management, for wine grapes and other agricultural plants.”
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July 2016Laffort moving St. Helena store, opening Paso pop up
St. Helena, Calif.—Laffort USA is moving in to a new location in the Napa Valley and plans to open a “pop up” store in Paso Robles this harvest. The new St. Helena location is 385 La Fata St. and will open July 18. The new location should provide more space for customer support, bench trial services and winemaker collaboration space.
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July 2016Scott Labs named a 'green business'
Petaluma, Calif.—Scott Laboratories announced its Petaluma facility has recently been recognized as a "Sonoma County Green Business" by the Sonoma County Energy and Sustainability Division. According to a press release by the company, Scott Laboratories met the group’s standards through monitoring and recording rates of water and energy usage, optimizing water conservation through the installation of faucet aerators and high-efficiency toilets, recording of solid and hazardous waste generation, remodeling with sustainable materials and low-VOC paint, reducing pollution via prevention programs, recycling office paper and ink cartridges and using efficient lighting systems.
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July 2016New bio products rep at Gusmer
Fresno, Calif.—Peter Sommer is the new biological products technical manager for Gusmer Enterprises, Inc. Sommer will be based in Fresno and be responsible for the development and support of Gusmer’s manufactured biological products as well as providing technical support for products sold through supplier partnerships. Sommer holds a Ph. D. in microbiology and is experienced in new product development and application support of fermentation processes, particularly wine.
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June 2016New rep for Cork Supply
Benicia, Calif.—Wes Ward, founder and president of Santé Beverage Supply, LLC, will represent Cork Supply USA as an independent sales contractor in states east of the Mississippi, as well as Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. Ward has more than 20 years of experience in the beverage supply industry and founded Santé Beverage Supply to provide products and consulting to the wine, spirits and brewery industry. Santé represents the entire Cork Supply, Tonnellerie Ô and Creative Oak portfolio of products.
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June 2016Avery Dennison names new VP for label and packaging materials
Mentor, Ohio—Gernot Ritzdorf is the new vice president of sales, label and packaging materials, North America to lead sales, customer service, and technical support teams. Gernot has been with the company for more than 12 years working in various capacities including leading both regional and global sales organizations. Previously, was vice president of sales for labels and graphic materials Europe.
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June 2016ETS opens lab in Central Coast
Paso Robles, Calif.—ETS Laboratories, which is based in St. Helena, Calif., opened a new ISO-accredited laboratory in Paso Robles to serve the growing wine industry in California’s Central Coast. ISO 17025 accreditation requires ongoing audits and relates to a lab's ability to produce precise and accurate results. The new location also houses the Central Coast branch of Petaluma, Calif.-based Scott Laboratories, which sells fermentation products and winery equipment, to enable clients to drop off labs and pick up supplies. “What we provide from our labs is more than technology and precise data, we provide expertise,” says Dr. Richard DeScenzo, Microbiology Group Leader at ETS Laboratories.
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June 2016Oenodia hires technical manager
Napa, Calif.—Benoit Murat is the new technical and after-sales manager for Oenodia North America, which produces the Stars line of membrane based processes for tartrate stabilization, acidification, de-acidification and cross flow filtration. Murat will be based in Napa, Calif., and is from France where he gained more than 20 years of wine industry experience and worked as winemaker for Chateau de Santenay in Burgunday before joining Oenodia in 2015.
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June 2016Rousseau certifies workshop
Gevrey Chambertin, France—Tonnellerie Rousseau Pere & Fils secured ISO 22000 certification for its tank and cask cooperage in Burgundy. The certification follows the cooperage earning the same for its barrel workshop in 2013. In order to achieve the certification, the cooper reported it reinforced its procedures in terms of traceability, took steps to further prevent contamination and heightened requirements for its suppliers.
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May 2016Cork Supply opens facility in China
Tianjin, China—The Cork Supply Group opened a new facility in China to process and distribute corks, barrels and oak barrel alternative products. Cork Supply China, CSC, will be used for the pinting, branding, treatment, packaging and shipping of corks as well as the distribution of Tonnellerie Ô barrels and Creative Oak alternative products.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we launch operations in China,” said Jochen Michalski, Cork Supply founder, in a press release about the new building. “We have watched the Chinese wine industry develop with great interest, and we’re proud to be able to provide quality products, service and technical support to such an exciting market.”
CSC is an extension of the manufacturing arm of the Cork Supply Group’s facilities in Portugal. The Tianjin location will employ the latest quality assurance systems and equipment including a GAI semi-automatic corker, Mecmesin Extraction Force, the JAV Sealing Test, and other treatment verification processes.
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May 2016Cork Supply launches automated cork testing
London, England—Cork Supply unveiled its new automated cork testing system, DS100+, at the London Wine Fair this week. The company reports with the new system it can guarantee corks that are 100% free of TCA (2, 4, 6-Trichloroanisole) contamination.
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May 2016New technical director at Enartis
Windsor, Calif.—Hend Letaief is the new technical director of Enartis USA. In the new position, Letaief will coordinate all technical aspects of Enartis USA and work closely with lab manager Max Burmeister. Letaief will coordinate technical support provided by the company’s team of winemakers and application specialists, manage research projects developed by Enartis in the Unites States, lead education programs through the company’s workshops and seminars and administer the internal training of the Enartis USA sales team.
Letaief grew up in Tunisia and formed a fascination for wine chemistry when she was studying food engineering. After moving to Europe, she earned a master’s in viticulture and enology from Montpellier SupAgro and a doctorate in food science and technology from the University of Turin. Letaief joined California State University, Fresno in 2013 as an assistant professor of wine chemistry and worked on projects related to oxygen management, grape texture and phenolic extractability. She is the author of Winemaking Process in Valorization of Winemaking By-Products and Texture Analysis for the Definition of Wine Grape Quality.
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April 2016Saxco names new senior VP/GM
Langhorne, Pa.—Rick Schwartz is the new senior vice president and general manager for all product lines for the East Coast and Canadian regions for Saxco International. Schwartz will be responsible for all of Saxco’s packaging products for the wine, spirits, beer and food industries. Before joining Saxco, Schwartz worked for more than 20 years as an executive for VWR International in Radnor, Pa.
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April 2016Enartis hires new sales rep
Windsor, Calif.—Enartis USA hired Alejandra Solis as its new technical sales representative. Solis is joining the Northern California sales team and will work with clients on new winemaking products, lab testing and setting up new lab equipment. Solis holds a Ph. D. in food science with a concentration in enology and viticulture from Cornell University and a post doctorate degree from the University of Verona. Prior to joining Enartis, Solis worked in the press office of Vinitaly and was a wine writer for the Mexican magazine Todos Santos.
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April 2016Laffort USA to hold seminar series
St. Helena, Calif.—Laffort USA, a supplier of yeast and other winemaking ingredients, will be holding a series of seminars from April 24 to May 12 in locations in the wine regions of California, Oregon and Washington as well as online.
Dr. Joana Coulon, head of Laffort research and development in microbiology, and Dr. Peter Salamone, Laffort USA technical manager, will be two of the speakers featured during the seminar. One keynote session is "Reducing SO2 in Red Winemaking," which will highlight recent innovations in lowering addition rates for sulfur dioxide throughout the winemaking process. Original results from the Laffort USA Applied Research Cooperative (ARC) group is another keynote presentation.
The Laffort ARC is a collaborative project with up to 15 wineries working on one single trial with an identically defined protocol. At the end of harvest, multiple replicates are produced across many lot sizes, varieties, and regions. For a complete schedule of the seminars and to register visit: laffort.com
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April 2016Tonn. du Monde invests in Burgundy cooperage
Bordeaux, France—Tonnellerie du Monde, which is the owner of the Bordeux-based cooperage Tonnellerie Quintessence and the French division of Cooperages 1912, announced it had acquired a stake in Tonnellerie Tremeaux in Burgundy. As partner and co-owner, Tonnellerie du Monde plans to expand the Burgundian cooperage’s presence in France and international markets alongside founder Ludovic Tremeaux.
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April 2016Parramon to sell in U.S. market
Napa, Calif.—Daryl Eklund has been named U.S. sales manager for Spanish cork supplier Parramon as the company begins to serve the U.S. industry. Eklund has more than 20 years of winemaking experience at several Napa Valley wineries and a decade of experience in cork sales.
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March 2016Investment fund acquires Saverglass
Napa, Calif.—Global glass supplier Saverglass, which has an office in Napa and is headquartered in France, announced it had been acquired by the Carlyle Investment Fund for 560 million euros. The deal allowed 300 of the company’s employees to acquire a capital share in the company. Each employee investment came with an additional 1,500 euro profit-sharing payment. Saverglass current revenues come to 400 million euros of which 50% are from exports to 80 countries from 17 subsidiaries. The company operates four glassmaking plants (the newest opened in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates) and three decoration plants. Annual production has grown to 700 million bottle, according to the statement announcing the acquisition.
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March 2016New Sales Rep for Western Square
Stockton, Calif.—Cody Ewers is the new Western Square barrel rack sales representative for Napa and Lake counties as well as the western portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Ewers most recently was a sales representative for Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage’s Fine Northern Oak alternatives line and before Seguin Moreau, he sold vineyard and agricultural supplies to grape growers throughout California for Central Valley Building Supply. Before pursuing sales, Ewers worked in wine production at several wineries.
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March 2016Bank of the West forms new beverage group
San Francisco, Calif.—Bank of the West’s Commercial Banking Group is expanding its wine specialty group to include beer and spirits. Adam Beak, who had managed the Premium Wine Group that included more than 300 wine clients and has issued more than $1 billion in loans over the past decade, will head up the new Wine & Beverage Group. Bank of the West is aiming to work with beer and spirits producers as well as other beverage manufacturers.
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March 2016Traviesa joins Sunridge
Bakersfield, Calif.—Sebastian Traviesa joined the sales team of Sunridge Nurseries. Traviesa was an agronomist engineer in Chile and studied at ENTAV-INRA in Montpellier, France and at Foundation Plant Services at the University of California, Davis. Traviesa speaks fluent Spanish, French and English and has worked as a nursery consultant and manager in Chile, France, Mexico and California.
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March 2016Avery Dennison names VP of R&D
Mentor, Ohio—Hassan Rmaile is the new global vice president of research and development for the labeling products supplier Avery Dennison Corporation. Rmaile is joining Avery Dennison from St. Paul, Minnesota-based H.B. Fuller Company, a global industrial adhesives manufacturer, where he served as vice president, chief technology and innovation officer. Prior to joining H.B. Fuller, Rmaile held roles of increasing commercial and innovation leadership at Ashland Incorporated, a specialty chemical company.
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March 2016New president at ColloPack
Napa, Calif.—Craig Richardson is the new president of ColloPack Solutions. Richardson will manage day-to-day operations of the winemaking equipment supplier. Richardson has been with ColloPack for 10 years and most recently was the vice president of technical sales. Before joining Collopack, Richardson worked in pharmaceutical production management.
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March 2016AgroThermal partners with Mark Chandler
Lodi, Calif.—Former Lodi Winegrape Commission executive director Mark Chandler, who now runs his own vineyard and winery consulting firm Chandler & Company, has partnered with Walnut Creek, Calif.-based AgroThermal Systems to bring the firm’s thermaculture technology to the Lodi AVA. AgroThermal developed a system that treats vines with hot air, which it claims increases yields reduces pest pressure and helps manage weather-related crop damage. Chandler plans to use the AgroThermal system on his own 180-acre vineyard and contract the equipment out for other growers in the region as part of his consulting services.
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February 2016New sales associate at Bayard Fox
Napa, Calif.—Megan Hernandez is the new sales associate at Bayard Fox Selections and will handle sales of Tonnellerie Orion barrels and 2B FermControl products in Sonoma and Mendocino counties and Oregon. Hernandez is a graduate of the University of California, Davis and worked in winemaking for 15 years producing sparkling and still wines in Napa and Sonoma counties.
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February 2016New partner at Poggentto & Company
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Melinda Walker, CPA, has been named a partner of the Santa Rosa, Calif., public accounting firm of Dal Poggetto & Company LLP. Walker has 21 years of accounting and auditing experience, with an emphasis in audits of employee benefit plans, non-profit organizations and wineries and vineyards. She also serves as Professional Practice Director, responsible for quality control in the audit and assurance services practice of the firm. She is a member of the AICPA, California Society of CPAs and Women for WineSense.
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February 2016Technicote names new president
Miamisburg, Ohio—Tim Hare is the new president of label materials provider Technicote. Hare will be responsible for long term planning and managing the company’s executive team. Hare has 20 years of experience with Brook & Whittle, Vitex Packaging and York Tape & Label.
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February 2016Promotion, new hire at Cork Supply
Benecia, Calif.—Cork Supply USA announced the promotion of Josh Trowbridge to the post of vice president and general manager of Tonnellerie O and Creative Oak and the hire of Art Danner as the new vice president of sales for the company’s closures division. Trowbridge joined Tonnellerie O in September 2014 to manage the cooperage's sales team. Danner has worked in the beverage alcohol industry for 25 years and most recently was the vice president of sales and strategy for Epic Wine and Spirits.
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February 2016American Tartaric Products now ATP Group
Windsor, Calif.—In light of the company’s growth over the course of its 25 years of doing business, American Tartaric Products is now ATP Group. Founded by the Zanin family, the company has grown from just tartaric acid and derivatives to a wide range of products and services including process technologies, enological and brewing sciences, capital planning and financial services and luxury stemware.
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January 2016New reps for Mercier
Napa, Calif.—Tonnellerie Mercier announced two new sales representatives for California. Yann Bordier, global brand manager, will manage sales of oak barrels and tanks in Napa, Sonoma and other northern California counties and Len Napolitano will represent the company in the Central Coast and southern California. Bordier has more than 15 years of experience in the barrel industry and has worked in several wine regions around the world. Napolitano has 15 years of experience in the wine industry and is still the independent representative for the Oak Infusion Spiral alternative product by The Barrel Mill.
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January 2016Enartis Vinquiry now Enartis USA
Windsor, Calif.—Enartis Vinquiry changed its name to Enartis USA. The company will retain the name Vinquiry for its line of lab services and supplies sold under the brand Vinquiry Laboratories by Enartis USA. “The North American market is, indeed, strategic for our group and the investment we did, in 2009, when we acquired Vinquiry has proven to be the right one,” said Samuele Benelli the business director for Enartis International.
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January 2016New Central Coast rep for Laffort
Paso Robles, Calif.—Marcy Mallette is Laffort USA’s new winemaker and technical representative for the Central Coast region of California. While managing an immunology research lab the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Mallette also took enology classes that inspired her to switch careers and pursue winemaking. After working at several wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties, Mallette managed the Cabernet Sauvignon program at E. & J. Gallo Winery in Livingston, Calif. before joining Laffort USA.
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January 2016Laffort to hold research seminar
Napa, Calif.—Laffort USA is holding a seminar on its Applied Research Cooperative (ARC) program at the Citizen Hotel on Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m. during the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento, Calif. The Applied Research Cooperative is Laffort’s collaborative program with leading wineries performing identical trials on one process or product, across multiple regions and varieties during a single harvest. Laffort USA’s technical manager, Dr. Peter Salamone, will discuss ARC projects and plans for 2016. The ARC is intended to provide verified production winery data on current winemaking innovations utilizing the latest products and procedures so vintners can be informed on the latest solutions. Those interested in attending, can register at http://tinyurl.com/ARCseminar.
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January 2016New reps at Scott Labs
Petaluma, Calif.—Scott Laboratories hired new sales representatives for the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. Luke Holcombe is the new representative for the Midwest market. Holcombe is a graduate of California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and the former winemaker for Post Familie Vineyards & Winery in Altus, Ark. The new Northeast representative, Katie Cook, received her masters degree in enology from The University of Burgundy in Dijon, France, and worked harvests in Napa Valley, Argentina, France and Australia before becoming the enology project leader at the University of Minnesota. Cook lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York where she is also the assistant winemaker for Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards.
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January 2016Nadalie raises funds for Toys for Tots
Calistoga, Calif.—Nadalie USA held its 12th annual Ping Pong Tournament on Dec. 4, and this past year the event also served as a fundraiser for the Lake County Chapter of Toys for Tots. The tournament raised more than $2,000 for the annual toy drive. Lake County, which borders Napa County, was the scene of devastating wildfires last summer.
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January 2016Universal Packaging receives certification
Vernon, B.C.—Universal Packaging received ISO certification on Dec 15. The company released a copy of the certificate for ISO 9001:2008, and according to Universal Packaging it is the first and only bottle decorator in North America to be certified to this standard. “All of our teammates should take pride in this significant accomplishment. It speaks to getting better every single day and to better servicing our customers,” said president and CEO Steve Pelkey.
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December 2015Stelvin Inside wins packaging award
American Canyon, Calif.—Amcor received a WorldStar 2016 award for its Stelvin Inside line of aluminium screwcaps and liners. The Stelvin Inside line of four closures each has its own distinct oxygen transmission rate, OTR, to suite different types of wine or winemaking styles. The World Packaging Organization in Oakbrook Terrace, Il confers the WorldStar packaging awards at an annual conference.
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December 2015Hyster PSI engines earns award
Greenville, N.C.—Hyster Company announced its new PSI lift truck engines won the 2015 Product of the Year Award from Energy Manager Today magazine. The PSI engines are designed to enable users to maximize productivity or fuel economy to fit specific application and energy needs. The engines feature a high-power mode for moving a high number or heavy loads and an ECO-eLO mode with “significantly” lower fuel consumption when there is less demanding work to be done.
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December 2015New partner at BPM
Santa Rosa, Calif.—The accounting and consulting firm Burr Pilger Mayer, BPM, announced Michelle Ausburn’s promotion to partner. Ausburn is a member of the BPM’s assurance practice with a focus on GAAP-compliant financial accounting and reporting for public and private companies, winery and vineyard, natural and organic food, craft beverage and agriculture industries.
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November 2015Oenodia opens branch in Napa
Napa, Calif.—Oenodia, the enology division of the French firm Eurodia Industries, has set up a North American office in Napa. The company specializes in tartaric stabilization and pH adjustment through its STARS (Specific Tartrate Removal System), STARS ZeroWaste and STARS mobile services. Domingo Rodriguez, a 20-year wine industry veteran has represented Oenodia since 2010 and is heading up the Napa office. The STARS system, which employs electrodialysis for removal and stabilization, can be purchased directly or wineries can schedule a service from the STARS mobile system The new office is located at 156 Camino Orugo, Suite 15 in Napa. oenodia.com
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November 2015Starmont expands custom bottling
Napa, Calif.—Starmont winery, which is located in southern Napa County and owned by Merryvale Vineyards, has expanded its custom bottling program. The winery can now handle 4,000 cases per day of bottling with a line that can fill 375 ml, 750 ml and 1.5l bottles and close them with cork or screwcap. Other facility services include an onsite lab, micro oxygenation, cross flow filtration and NomaSense oxygen monitoring and control.
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November 2015WISE launches in New Zealand
Napa, Calif.— The WISE (Wine Industry Sales Education) Academy in Napa, Calif., announced it will host a three-day academy in the Central Otago region of New Zealand on Nov. 25. The Cellar Door Professional course will be followed by a DtC Metric Intensive course the following week, both in Cromwell.
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November 2015Cork Supply Buys Technical Cork Plant in Portugal
Benicia, Calif.—Cork Supply Group of Benicia purchased a manufacturing facility in Portugal, where it will make technical corks for sparkling wine, micro 1+1 stoppers, traditional 1+1 closures and micro-agglomerate cork closures. As owner of the manufacturing site Cork Supply 4 (CSP4), Cork Supply Group will oversee every step of cork closure production from harvest through manufacturing and sales. The team managing the facility will include executive director Antonio Bastos and production supervisor Manuel Antonio Ferreira, who have combined experience of more than 40 years producing technical corks. Details: corksupply.com.READ MORE »
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November 2015Wine Industry Symposium 2016 Conference Dates Annoucned
The Wine Industry Symposium Group announced the dates of three conferences it has planned for 2016. The 22nd annual Central Coast Insights will take place March 10 in Paso Robles, Calif. The Vineyard Economics Seminar, now in its 21st year, will be held May 25 in Napa, Calif. The 25th annual Wine Industry Financial Symposium is a two-day event happening Sept. 26-27, also in Napa. For details, see winesymposium.com.
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October 2015Verallia changes ownership
Fairfield, Calif.—Apollo Global Management LLC today announced the purchase of glass manufacturer SGP Packaging by Verallia from Saint-Gobain. Apollo now owns 90% equity in the company, and Bpifrance owns 10%. The transition means Verallia, which produced about 15 billion glass bottles and jars in 2014, is a fully stand-alone company.READ MORE »
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October 2015Avian acquires Natual Forces, Ceannard
Sylvan Lake, Mich.—Avian Enterprises, manufacturer of Avian Control bird repellent, has acquired Natural Forces and Ceannard, the makers of Rejex-it Fog Force, Rejex-it Migrate and other bird repellent products. “We believe that adding Fog Force and Migrate to our product line creates the first ‘one stop shop’ for liquid bird control products,” said Avian Enterprises president Jon Stone in a statement announcing the acquisitions. Stone said the company plans to release improved Rejex-it Fog Force and Rejex-it Migrate bird repellents for sale by mid-2016 after the products are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency
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October 2015New mobile bottler in Kentucky
Shelbyville, Ky.—William and Denise Stiles, the owners of Christianburg Farms winery, have launched a new mobile bottling business to serve the wineries of Kentucky and neighboring states. C.F.I. Mobile Bottling plans to bottle wine as well as spirits that are 25% ABV or less. The custom-built trailer houses a line that can handle 375 ml., 750 ml. and 1.5 liter bottles and apply natural, 1+1, agglomerate or synthetic corks as well as apply shrink, polylaminate or spin-on capsules. C.F.I’s line also can apply front and back pressure-sensitive labels.
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October 2015Mistral now Toneleria Nacional USA
Sonoma, Calif.—The Chilean cooperage Toneleria Nacional has changed the name of its U.S. division from Mistral Barrels to Toneleria Nacional USA. The American branch of the company is expanding and recently moved into a new facility at 21841 Eight St. E. in Sonoma, Calif. The company announced it has also expanded its offices in Argentina and opened a new facility in South Africa. Tonelería Nacional produces the Mistral Tradition Barrel as well as the hot air toasted Odyse Innovation and Ambrosia Perfection lines of barrels and alternatives.
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October 2015Whiteford joins Cork Supply
Benicia, Calif.—Todd Whiteford is a new sales consultant for capsules and sparkling wine products for Cork Supply USA. Whiteford has more than 20 years of experience in biological sales management and he and his wife Amy are part owners of a vineyard in Napa Valley’s Soda Canyon area.
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September 2015Cascade expands services
Portland, Ore.—Cascade Wine Services, which has provided mobile crossflow filtration services to Northwest wineries since 2009, is expanding its services to include mobile bottling and reverse osmosis equipment. Cascade Wine Services owner Andy Diacetis has partnered with Caz Werp of Infinite Wave Bottling & Consulting in Seattle, Wash. to offer mobile wine bottling services to its Oregon customers, in addition to mobile filtration; Infinite Wave will bottle for Washington customers.
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September 2015Euro-Machines hires sales and service manager
Fairfield, Calif.—Euro-Machines hired Colin Baker as sales and service manager. Baker will support Central Coast clients while working alongside Rick Austin. Baker has worked in the wine industry for more than a decade in various posts such as cellar master, facilities manager and assistant winemaker.
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September 2015WECO donates optical sorter to WSU
Woodland, Calif.—WECO Sorting and Automation donated a new, optical wine grape sorting machine worth $71,500 to the new Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Wine Science Center at the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus in Richland, Wash.
The sorter uses advanced cameras, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and software technology to identify stems, insects, unripe and damaged fruit and raisins. Unwanted items are removed with precise blasts of air, increasing quality and throughput while reducing labor costs. WSU staff said the new machine will be used for conducting research trials on sorting and processing methods.
“We have a vibrating table that aids winery staff who are hand sorting grapes, and soon we will have the WECO Optical Sorter,” said associate professor D. Jim Harbertson in a joint statement released by WECO and WSU. “We can make wines from the same batch of grapes then compare these two technologies against not sorting the grapes at all. … These results could help wineries decide which sorting method is most likely to bring out the aromas and flavors their customers seek.”
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September 2015Savos purchases WineDirect Compliance
Napa, Calif.—Savos Compliance, the Boston-based parent company of ShipCompliant, has acquired WineDirect’s compliance division. ShipCompliant has taken over the operation of the WineDirect Compliance platform, and clients that are currently using it either directly, or through a subscription to Vin65 Plus, can continue to use the tool without interruption.
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September 2015Tapp to build Paso Robles facility
Napa, Calif.—Tapp Label Company expects to open a new label printing facility in Paso Robles, Calif. this winter. “The Central Coast has long needed a label producer capable of the intricate detail required by today's brands,” said Rod Smith, Tapp’s vice president of sales and marketing, in a statement released by the company.
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August 2015M.A. Silver hires Northwest rep
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Barbara Robertson is M.A. Silva’s new account manager for the Pacific Northwest region. Robertson lives in Washington and has worked as a marketing consultant, participates as a judge in the North Central Washington Wine Awards competition and is a regular guest on local radio as the “Ag Alchemist.”
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August 2015Tapp expands executive team
Napa, Calif.—Tapp Label hired Vinod Sharma as its vice president of sales and Dawn Moreci as vice president of human relations. Sharma has more than 30 years of sales experience in the packaging industry and most recently worked for Metro Label in Toronta, Canada. Tapp recently acquired Metro Label, and Sharma will be based in the Toronto office and oversee sales for the wine, spirits and other industries in North America, Central America and eastern Canada. Moreci has nearly two decades of HR experience for both private and public companies and will be based in Tapp’s corporate office in Napa.
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August 2015Zepponi hires senior VP
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Kevin O’Brien joined mergers and acquisitions firm Zepponi & Co. as senior vice president in charge of project management and market analysis. Prior to joining Zepponi, O’Brien was the director of businesss advisory at Irvine & Company, a beverage alcohol accounting and consulting firm in the Pacific Northwest. O'Brien worked with numerous winery, brewery and distillery clients on corporate advisory matters, including financial modeling, strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions.
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August 2015SIMEI, drinktec reach deal for Munich show
Milan, Italy—SIMEI, an international exhibition of enological and bottling equipment will now take place every four years in conjunction with the Munich, Germany trade fair drinktec. According to a statement announcing the partnership, SIMEI will retain its two-year cycle but alternate between Italy and Germany.
The next SIMEI takes place Nov. 3-6 in Milan. The show will then take place in Munich on Sept 11- 15, 2017. In 2019 SIMEI will then again be held in Italy, where, supported by drinktec, it will feature an exhibits on a wider range of beverage categories.
The agreement includes a provision for a special SIMEI exhibition space within drinktec 2017 in Munich dedicated exclusively to the wine sector. This showcase is to extend to at least two exhibition halls, and cover a total of 20,000 square meters of space.
The organizers of the two trade fairs have also agreed that SIMEI will get involved in the worldwide events portfolio of drinktec that includes drink technology India, food & drink technology Africa and China Brew China Beverage. SIMEI has been held in Milan since 1963, and it is regarded as one of the world´s leading trade fair for wine technology. More than 600 exhibitors and more than 40,000 visitors are expected to attend SIMEI in 2015.
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July 2015Vintage begins work on $25 million greenhouse
Wasco, Calif.—Vintage Nurseries has begun building its new, $25 million greenhouse. Greenhouse expert Conley's designed and is building the new facility that will have a capacity for 4 million vines per pass with approximately 2 million vines ready for the 2016 season. The new greenhouse should be able to produce 8 million vines per season. The greenhouse will feature advanced screening and sealing of all areas with access to the outside as well positive-pressure vestibules around all doorways to protect against pests. An automated potting machine will mix controlled amounts of potting media, fertilizer and water for young vines. The facility will also be home to an autoclave and high temperature steam room for sanitizing pots and trays.
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July 2015Janson manufacturing moves to Napa
Napa, Calif.—Janson Capsules announced that all of its capsules are now produced and embellished at its Napa facility following the closure of its Opelika, Ala., factory. Janson is headquartered in Toulouse, France but has operated a Napa location for almost a decade. “This move will significantly enhance customer service with the highest quality standards necessary in this industry,” said the company’s executive director Melanie Thomas.
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July 2015Western Square names new sales manager
Stockton, Calif.—Tom P. Kisabeth is the new sales manager for barrel rack manufacturer Western Square Industries. Kisabeth will oversee the Western Square sales team servicing clients in California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. Prior to joining Western Square, Kisabeth sold glass bottles, capsules and corrugated packaging as an account manager for California Glass and Saxco International.
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July 2015Tapp acquires Metro Label
Napa, Calif.—Tapp Label Company acquired Metro Label, in Toronto, Ontario. According to a statement announcing the news, this is the fourth acquisition in less than a year for Tapp Label and brings with it additional capabilities, Fortune 500 clients and an East Coast location. Metro Label will continue to operate with that name for Toronto-based customers and Tapp Label on the West Coast. Tapp Label now owns seven facilities split between both coasts and employs more than 300 people.
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June 2015Eicholz joins Tonnellerie Berger
Napa, Calif.—Tonnellerie Berger & Fils appointed Tiffany Eicholz as marketing and business development manager as part of an effort to expand its business in North America. Eicholz began her career in the wine industry working alongside winemaker Andy Erickson at Napa Valley Think Tank, an analytical laboratory and resource center for winemakers in the Napa Valley. As business manager, Eicholz was in charge of customer relations and establishing strategic partnerships to grow the business. In 2012 Tiffany joined Laffort USA, to manage the retail store and coordinate all aspects of marketing and communications for North America. In her new position, Eicholz will be based in Napa.
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June 2015Free Flow, Gotham to collaborate on facility
Napa, Calif.—Free Flow Wines and Gotham Project, formed a joint venture to open a production facility on the East Coast.The new kegging facility is expected to open in late 2015 in Kearny, New Jersey, subject to regulatory approval.
According to a press release about the project, the facility will be adjacent to the largest port in the country for imported wines and will offer kegging and logistics support to wineries, importers and distributors on the East Coast. Both companies will continue separate operations, with the joint facility enabling Free Flow Wines to better service clients on the East Coast and in Europe and allowing the Gotham Project to scale its business.
Gotham Project will continue to keg and sell their portfolio of wines, while Free Flow will continue to focus on kegging services, logistics and building the keg wine market. Free Flow Wines will also continue to maintain its headquarters and West Coast production facility in Napa.
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June 2015New sales rep at Global Package
Napa, Calif.—Anne-Marie Ammann has rejoined Global Package LLC as a sales service representative. Ammann will handle new business, strategic planning, global ventures, market analysis, and client relations and retention. Ammann worked at Napa, Calif.-based Global Package soon after its founding by Erica Harrop, and then went on to work at other wine industry suppliers including Bruni Glass where she managed sales for the Central Coast region of California.
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June 2015Saxco names Northeast rep
Horsham, Pa.—Beth-Anne Kline is the new Northeast sales manager for Saxco International for the beer, wine and spirits industries. Kline joins Saxco International with eight years of experience in glass and PET bottle sales, most recently with Graham Packaging in York, Pa., where she was responsible for developing and executing sales strategies for the Personal Care Division of the plastic bottle packaging manufacturer.
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June 2015Oenofrance names Oregon distributor
Petaluma, Calif.—Oenofrance USA LLC, which manufactures a range of “bio-technologies” for the wine industry, announced Davison Winery Supplies in McMinnville, Ore., is the company’s exclusive distributor for the state of Oregon. Since launching operations in California last August, Oenofrance USA has been expanding its network. “Davison Winery Supplies has been a recognized and trusted force in the development of the wine industry in Oregon for the last 18 years, and we are proud that they have chosen to represent and distribute our products,” said Oenofrance CEO Didier Fages.
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June 2015Free Flow seeks nominations for 'Keggies'
Napa, Calif.—Wine keg services provider Free Flow Wines is seeking nominations for its “Keggy People’s Choice” award that recognizes “exceptional accounts” pouring wine on tap. Nominations can be submitted online or through social media. To nominate via social media post a photo featuring the nominated account on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Include the hashtag #KEGGYAwards and tag @FreeFlowWine and @TryWineOnTap in the post. Nominations will be accepted now through June 30.
Voting will be conducted online throughout the month of July and the winners will be announced at the second annual KEGGY Awards, taking place Oct. 22, at the Free Flow Wines headquarters in Napa. Free Flow Wines created the annual KEGGY Awards to recognize wineries for their achievements in wine on tap, especially sustainability achievements. Last year’s winners include Au Bon Climat, Qupé, Constellation Brands, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Hahn Family Wines, King Estate Winery, and The Wine Group.
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June 2015Quality Stainless expands stock tanks
Windsor, Calif.—Tank manufacturer Quality Stainless Tanks has leased an additional building to offer an expanded line of stock tanks. Sales manager Scott Dapelo said the company leased a 10,000-square-foot space doubling their production area to provide space for fabricators to produce stock tanks ranging in size from 500-gallon portable tanks to 10,000-gallon tanks. Dapelo said the company is enjoying great demand with orders through October and many of those are from wineries outside of California and the West Coast.
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May 2015Scott Labs bike ride raises funds
Petaluma, Calif.—Team Scott Labs completed its second annual “Tour de Cure” fundraising bike ride in Napa Valley on May 3. The team’s 96 riders raised $63,500 to fund diabetes research topping last year’s total by nearly $7,000. The team was sponsored by Napa Barrel Care, TricorBraun Winepak, Oztera, C-Line Trucking, ICAS, Relvas, Velo Accia and Heritage Systems.
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May 2015Heritage, ICON merge
Livermore, Calif.—Heritage Paper, a large format digital printer, and point-of-purchase display designer ICON Design & Display merged in April. ICON will retain its facility in Santa Rosa, Calif., with plans to open a sales and “innovation” center in the future. Manufacturing and and distribution will move to Heritage’s main production facility in Lathrop, Calif.
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May 2015Bucher to sell Sutter presses, makes hire
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Bucher Vaslin North American is now the exclusive representative for Sutter presses throughout North America. “We are excited to be able to extend our press offerings to include Sutter wine presses from 25 HL to 90 HL for our customers who prefer the open cage press style,” says Mea Leeman, director of sales and marketing. Bucher North America is a subsidiary of Bucher Vaslin SA and Bucher Industries, which acquired the Sutter wine press division from Swiss-based Filtrox Group in 2011.
Bucher Vaslin North America also announced it had hired Lorenzo Vega as service technical manager. Vega will be responsible for all technical aspects of the company’s winery equipment brands, as well as the Costral brand of bottling lines. Vega joins the company with more than 25 years of experience in the wine industry, including working as the director of operations at Mumm Napa.
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May 2015Silver Oak acquires all of cooperage
Oakville, Calif.—Silver Oak Cellars is now the full owner of A&K Cooperage, becoming the only winery in North America to own and operate a cooperage. The winery had purchased a 50% stake in the company in 2000, and acquired the rest to ensure production standards and a secure supply of aged stave wood, according to a statement announcing the acquisition,
While Silver Oak has focused exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak barrels since 1972, the opportunity to purchase the cooperage arose during a period of strong demand for premium American white oak, fueled by the international market as well as the rise in U.S.-produced craft whiskeys and bourbons.
Silver Oak President & CEO David Duncan said that the acquisition will allow Silver Oak's winemakers to control quality standards such as the selection, aging and toasting of its American oak barrels. "Having control over our oak barrel needs and production makes complete sense from both an excellence and cost control standpoint."
Silver Oak General Manager Tony LeBlanc said as sole owner of cooperage Silver Oak will continue to focus on the quality and consistency of its classic 59-gallon American oak wine barrels, prior to expanding into other categories. "We feel that white oak from the geographic area around the cooperage gives us the oak flavor profile and textural components that best complement our wines."
Located in Higbee, Mo., the cooperage was founded by Dale Kirby and his father-in-law D.L. Andrews in 1972. After partnering the with the winery 2000, Silver Oak and the Kirbys purchased several hundred acres of Missouri oak timberland.
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May 2015Mexican glassmaker accepts O-I offer
San Pedro Garza García, Mexico.—The Mexican glass manufacturer Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V. signed an agreement with Owens-Illinois, Inc. accepting a bid to sell its food and beverages glass containers business. The transaction is valued, cash and debt free, at $2.15 billion. Included in the sale are five glass factories in Mexico, one plant in Bolivia and the distribution of food and beverage glass products in the United States. The transaction is subject to approval from Vitro’s general shareholder’s meeting; Federal Competition Commission and the National Foreign Investment Commission, and in the U.S. from the Federal Trade Commission. O-I is the world's largest glass container manufacturer and currently employs approximately 21,100 people at 75 plants in 21 countries.
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May 2015WineBusiness.com launches North Coast classifieds
Sonoma, Calif.—WineBusiness.com has launched the North Coast Classifieds, a bi-weekly, regional classified listing, serving Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties in California. More than 1,100 wine industry professionals received the inaugural edition, which was sent out Monday, May 4.
The North Coast Classifieds publication is delivered to subscribers once every two weeks, and includes all postings for grapes and bulk wine, used equipment, used barrels, winejobs.com, real estate and services/supplies in the area. There is no charge to subscribe to the classifieds.
To subscribe to the North Coast Classifieds, click here.
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May 2015Deep Root Irrigation wins award
Napa, Calif.—Deep Root Irrigation’s new DRI-12 irrigator won the top honor for new and innovative irrigation technology at the BlueTech Valley Water Summit held in March in Clovis, Calif. The DRI-12 is designed to be inserted into the ground to deliver water to a plant’s root zone. Deep Root Irrigation founder and manager Jeff Ciudaj says the irrigator eliminates loss to evaporation and runoff, prevents fertilizer runoff into creeks and streams and research indicates it can provide almost six times the saturation at 2 feet depth compared to a standard drip irrigator.
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April 2015Cadus to plant tree for every barrel sold
Ladoix Serrigny, France—Tonnellerie Cadus will plant a tree in France for every barrel it sells. Working with a nursery in Burgundy, the cooper will replant sessile and common oak trees throughout several regions in France for each barrel delivered to wineries, according to a press release from the company. The forestry advocacy group, Ecocert Environnement, will ensure the correct number of trees are planted as well as monitor the health of the young trees and check the density and area of planting.
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April 2015Cork Supply promotes Hladun to VP of operations
Benicia, Calif.—Cork Supply USA announced Peter Hladun has been promoted from the post of director of technical services to vice president of operations. In his new role, Hladun will oversee the company’s operations at its Benicia facility including all technical services, supply chain, customer service, cork production and the company's Tonellerie O cooperage. Hladun joined the company in 2011.
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April 2015Global Package hires Central Coast rep
Napa, Calif.—Global Package announced Deborah Schneph is the Napa-based packaging supplier’s new Central Coast Sales Executive. Prior to joining Global Package, Schnepf worked for 10 years with the marketing agency, CDM Company, as the merchandising director and business development director.
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April 2015Vintage Nurseries to open QC lab
Wasco, Calif.—Vintage Nurseries announced it will open a new materials testing lab to test plant materials quicker and more thoroughly for clients. Heading up the new lab will be Tefera Mekuria, Ph. D., who formerly worked at the Washington State University research center in Prosser, Wash., where he studied plant viruses, vine pathogens and tree fruits. “We are creating a new standard,” Tefera said in a press release. “We want to be the leading resource for qualitative testing, with faster turnaround, increased sample sizes and uncompromising attention to detail. This will also include expanding collaborative relationships with universities, regulatory agencies and forward-thinking private firms, to achieve cutting edge results.”
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April 2015Maverick hits production milestone
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April 2015AgroThermal to work with Rainbow Valley in Oregon
Walnut Creek, Calif.—AgroThermal, which produces hot-air equipment for pest control and vineyard treatments, announced it will sell its machines and services in Oregon through Pierre Paradis and Rainbow Valley Enterprises. Paradis’ family owns 50 acres of vineyards near Silverton, Ore., and he launched his custom farming company three years ago. AgroThermal, which is based in California, reports more trials conducted in Oregon in 2014 further back claims the company's hot-air treatment can improve fruit set and wine quality.
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March 2015Master Coopers by Vincent Bouchard
Napa, Calif.—After nearly 40 years in the cooperage business, Vincent Bouchard has released his own brand Master Coopers. The company’s inaugural barrel Master Coopers Produit de Bourgogne is now being used in more than 70 winemaking programs, according to a statement released by Bouchard Cooperages, which represents the brand.
“When a barrel is at its best, the fruit is the star of the show,” Bouchard said. “What I wanted to achieve with the Master Coopers recipe is a complete integration of wood and wine throughout five stages of tasting: the nose, the front palate, the mid palate, the finish, and what in Italy we call the “retro gusto,” where the wine comes back after spitting. … The barrel will play an important role, much like a full orchestra in front of the stage; but the spotlight will be on the stage itself, where fruit and terroir play the leading roles.”
Master Coopers Produit de Bourgogne barrels feature 100% 3-year air-dry French oak and are available with a “slow blue” toast for Chardonnay and other whites and “slow red” for Pinot Noir and other delicate and aromatic red wines.
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March 2015P&L Specialties hires sales engineer
Santa Rosa, Calif.—P&L Specialties and the Tom Beard Company, which manufacture winemaking and barrel cleaning equipment, announced they had hired Andrew Wooller as sales engineer. Wooller has worked in wine industry sales for the past 15 years and will be focused on expanding the companies’ sales in the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the western United States. Wooller will also represent Revolution Equipment, a sister company of the two firms and which sells used winemaking equipment for the wine, beer and spirits industries.
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March 2015W20 Acquires VinTank
San Francisco, Calif.—The marketing, communications and research and development firm W20 Group announced its acquisition of social engagement and customer relationship management platform VinTank. “To reach the majority of a brand’s audience, we are building a suite of services and software to reach the 1% who create content and the 9% who share it,” said Jim Weiss, chairman and chief executive office of W2O Group in a statement released by the firm. “A modern day media offering will be defined, in the future, by who has the best influencer algorithms and media team, combined with the ability to know exactly who your audience is and how to most effectively reach them. Guessing is not a strategy.”
VinTank, which is based in Napa, Calif., was founded by Paul Mabray and James Jory to help wineries with customer engagement, calculating “social media health” for brands and “geo-fencing” tools for sales leads and consumer outreach.
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March 2015Vicard Generation 7 hires Northwest rep
Napa, Calif.—Vicard Generation 7 announced Hillary Sjolund is the cooper’s new representative for Washington and Oregon. Sjolund is a consulting winemaker who also runs a harvest lab in Washington and is a board member of the Washington Wine Technical Group and teaches online winemaking courses for VESTA through Missouri State University. “I was fortunate to attend the Vicard Generation 7 tasting at the Wines & Vines Oak Seminar and what they’ve achieved with tannin selection and molecular toasting is astonishing,” Sjolund said in a statement released by the cooper. “I’m absolutely thrilled to represent this advanced technology in the Pacific Northwest.”
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March 2015Rousseau completes new facility
Gevrey-Chambertin, France—Tonnellerie Rousseau Pere & Fils announced it had moved the production of the cooper’s large format oak vats and casks into a new workshop in Gevrey-Chambertin. The move is part of a larger expansion that also includes a new barrel facility and offices. The new building is nearly 20,000-square-feet in size and features more space for toasting as well as shipping and receiving.
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March 2015Investment firm gains majority share of AEB
Brescia, Italy—SK Capital Partners, a New York-based private investment firm, announced it had acquired a controlling stake in winemaking products supplier AEB Group, which is based in Italy. According to a statement released by SK Capital, the company will purchase shares from existing investors including Investindustrial, a European investment firm focused on Southern European companies. Investindustrial and AEB Group management will have minority ownership positions after the transaction. AEB produces a variety of yeasts, additions and other products and equipment for the wine, beer and food industries.
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March 2015Gallo Glass sued over waste
Sacramento, Calif.—The California Attorney General’s Office has filed a complaint against Gallo Glass Co., on behalf of the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, DTSC, which alleges the glass supplier used hazardous waste in the making of wine bottles at its Modesto, Calif. factory.
According to a statement released by the DTSC, Gallo collected dust contaminated with lead, arsenic, cadmium and selenium with equipment to prevent air pollution and then incorporated that dust into materials used to form molten glass that was shaped into bottles. The DTSC states it has no evidence consuming wine stored in the bottles poses a health threat. The DTSC discovered the reported violations during inspections at Gallo’s facility in 2009 and 2011.
The state agency alleges Gallo improperly recycled and stored the waste material and also failed to notify it of several fires at the facility between 2006 and 2011. DTSC is demanding Gallo pay an unspecified amount of penalties.
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February 2015New rep at Tonnellerie O
Napa, Calif.—Kristen Capella is a new sales consultant for Cork Supply USA and will serve the south Napa, Sierra Foothills and San Joaquin Valley areas representing Tonnellerie O and Creative Oak. Capella is a level II sommelier with experience in restaurant management and wine buying.
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February 2015Coope joins Zepponi & Company
Santa Rosa, Calif.—George Coope, a veteran of food and wine investment banking, has joined the mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Zepponi & Company. Coope has more than 25 years of experience advising businesses in the beverage, consumer packaged goods and technology sectors. Coope joins Zepponi as the senior director of strategy and analysis and will be responsible for project management and market analysis.
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February 2015Vintage 99 names new VP
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Gary Cane is the new vice president of operations at Vintage 99 Label Mfg. Inc.’s Santa Rosa facility. Cane has more than 40 years of printing experience and has been with Vintage for more than a year working to improve plant efficiency and solidify client relationships. Vintage 99 is based in Livermore, Calif.
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February 2015New owners for S.F. Wine Exchange
San Francisco, Calif.—Universal Wine Wholesalers announced its acquisition of the San Francisco Wine Exchange, a wine marketing, sales and import firm. The acquisition allows SFWE founder Hugh Thacher to retire at the end of the year. Universal Wine Wholesalers is owned by Jose Maria Barale, the owner and principal of Brazilian energy firm Grupo Alubar, and Diego Lo Prete the former head of global marketing and communications at Group Codorniu in Barcelona, Spain. Lo Prete will assume the role of SFWE president.
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February 2015Amcor, Maverick form partnership
Ukiah, Calif.—Packaging suppliers Amcor Flexibles Capsules and Maverick Enterprises, Inc., have formed a manufacturing and sales partnership focused on the production of polylaminate, PVC and sparkling foils for the North American wine and spirits market. The two companies will consolidate the manufacture of their products at Maverick’s facility in Ukiah, Calif. Amcor will continue to sell capsules under the Amcor brand and continue to produce Stelvin closures at its American Canyon, Calif. factory.
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January 2015Free Flow launches Tap'd Draft Solutions
Napa, Calif.—Free Flow Wines, which provides wine keg filling and management for winery clients, announced the launch of a new division of the company called Tap’d Draft Solutions. The new company provides custom draft system design, installation, maintenance and line cleaning. “We knew that in order to help our winery and wholesaler customers we needed a full-service draft solution,” said Free Flow Wines’ co-founder and CEO, Jordan Kivelstadt in a statement released by the company. “Tap’d Draft Solutions has allowed us to expand our client services, while we keep our core wine on tap business focused on the delivery of premium wines on tap.”
The new company will also enable Free Flow to work with other beverages such as spirits and coffee.
Free Flow Wines acquired Bay Area-based Cuff’s Tap Service in July 2014 and spent the past six months re-organizing it into Tap’d Draft Solutions. Kivelstadt now also serves as the CEO of Tap’d Draft Solutions, with founder, John Cuff staying on as president.
Tap’d Draft Solutions currently has 15 employees and will operate out of the Free Flow Wines headquarters in Napa. The company provides draft system installation and line cleaning services and currently offers services in Northern California, with the goal of expanding beyond the Bay Area in the near future.
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January 2015Canton joins tree-planting effort
Windsor, Calif.—Canton Cooperage announced it has partnered with American Forests, a nonprofit group committed to planting trees for environmental restoration. The barrel maker will contribute a portion of its sales revenue to the replanting of native trees in U.S. forests through American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program. “Trees are vital to our lives and the lives of future generations,” said Guillaume de Pracomtal the chairman of Canton. “Trees are also essential to Canton’s barrel making craft and to the art of winemaking.”
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January 2015H&A Financing moves to St. Helena
St. Helena, Calif.—H&A Financing has moved its offices to 1505 Main St., St. Helena. The company provides wineries with barrel leasing, management and reselling services.
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January 2015Shannon Ranches to manage nursery
Lake County, Calif.—Shannon Ranches will oversee production, sales and marketing for Guillaume Grapevine Nursery in Knights Landing, Calif. Shannon Ranches is a vineyard management and development company that is affiliated with Shannon Ridge Family of Wines. The company manages more than 4,000 acres of vineyards in the North Coast of California of which more than 1,000 are located in Lake County and support the Shannon Ridge wine brands. Guillaume Nursery is the U.S. subsidiary of the Guillaume family nursery business that is based in Charcenne, France.
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January 2015Tapp finalizes mergers, sets executive team
Napa, Calif.—Tapp Label Company announced it has finalized the merger of its four printing locations into one entity as well as set its executive management team. The company is now operating from locations in Napa and Livermore, Calif., Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, B.C. offering digital, offset and flexographic printing and decoration. CEO and president David Bowyer also has formed the company’s executive team that includes: Steven Miller, vice president and general manager who has worked in printing for 46 years; Rod Smith, vice president of sales and marketing and the former director of sales for Staples label division; Brian Sharpe, vice president of finance who has been with Tapp for five years and David DeRuiter, vice president of human resources who is the former HR manager for Tapp Label.
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January 2015Gallo wins Innovation Award
Napa, Calif.—Bank of the West and Fruition Sciences recognized the winner of the second annual Vintage Report Innovation Award Presented by Bank of the West. The award recognizes innovation and sustainability in viticulture. This year’s winner was a collaborative experiment by E. & J. Gallo Winery and IBM to apply a variable-rate irrigation system across separate quadrants of a 31-acre Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. The result decreased vineyard spatial variability and increased water-use efficiency without compromising quality during a period of historic drought.
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January 2015Cooper partners with wine researcher
Napa, Calif.—Vicard Generation 7 announced it has partnered with Dr. Marie-Laure Murat, an enological research consultant based in Bordeaux, France. Murat will work with the barrel maker to quantify the relationship between oak and wood tannin potential combined with Vicard Generation 7's patented "molecular cooking process" as well as the effect of tannin levels on aromatic preservation. Murat holds a Ph.D from the University of Bordeaux and helped establish the Sarco Laboratory while working with the Laffort Group.
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January 2015Laffort adds new retail locations
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Laffort USA announced it has opened two new retail outlets to serve Sonoma County wineries. One outlet is at Carlsen & Associates in Healdsburg, Calif., and the other is at TCW Equipment’s new location in Santa Rosa. Both outlets will carry Laffort’s range of yeast, enzymes, bacteria, nutrients, tannins and other winemaking products.
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January 2015New sales rep for Seguin Moreau
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January 2015Nomacorc founder partners for buy out
Zebulon, N.C.—Mark Noël, the founder and chairman of Nomacorc, partnered with New York-based Bespoke Capital to recapitalize the business and buy out Summit Partners. The new partnership completely owns the wine closure manufacturer, according to a statement released by Nomacorc. Global Leisure Partners, GLP, bank is a joint venture partner in Bespoke and initiated the transaction. Two GLP partners, Bill Rogers and Ken Lamb participated in the deal and will assume board of director roles. Nomacorc is also celebrating its 15th year in business and announced it has sold more than 20 billion closures and recently opened a facility in San Juan, Argentina.
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January 2015Gusmer to distribute Renaissance Yeast
Fresno, Calif.—Gusmer Enterprises announced it had reached an exclusive distribution agreement with Renaissance Yeast for the company’s full line of specialty hydrogen sulfide-preventing wine and cider yeasts in the U.S. and Canadian markets. These yeasts were discovered by Dr. Linda Bisson at the University of California, Davis, and during the last five years Renaissance researchers, working under an exclusive license from the University of California, have developed classically bred commercial yeast strains that are unable to form H2S during fermentation. In addition, Renaissance also offers a certified organic yeast strain to support organic wine growers who are unable to remediate hydrogen sulfide contamination through traditional and approved organic winemaking methods.
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December 2014New business development manager at Cadus
Paso Robles, Calif.—Ian Hartnett is the business development manager for Tonnellerie Cadus. Hartnett has more than 15 years of cooperage experience and his sales territory includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties of California as well as the Lodi AVA, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Eastern U.S. and Canada.
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December 2014Promotions at Universal Packaging
Vernon, B.C.—Universal Packaging announced Brian McDonald was promoted to the post of vice president of operations and Nicole Kaseberg was promoted to director of sales and marketing. The company is located in British Columbia but sells glass, Vinoseal closures and other packaging products to wineries throughout North America.
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December 2014New broker at Turrentine
Novato, Calif.—Neil Koch (rhymes with scotch) is the new broker for Turrentine Brokerage. A native of Napa Valley, Koch worked in winemaking for Seavey Vineyards and Bryant Family Vineyard before becoming the enologist and cellarmaster for Lewis Cellars. Before joining Turrentine, Koch sold barrels for Mistral, Bouchard Cooperages and Seguin Moreau. Koch’s territory is the North Coast and northern interior regions of California.
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December 2014Marques joins ACI Cork USA
Fairfield, Calif.—Raul Marques is the newest member of the sales team at ACI Cork USA. Marques is a native of Portugal with more than three decades of experience working in cork. Marques will be serving clients throughout California. "Corks nowadays are much more reliable, thanks in large part to the continuous process improvement and rigid quality control practices such as those in place at ACI Cork USA," he said.
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December 2014Hinde joins Exchange Bank
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Exchange Bank announced that Jason Hinde has joined its commercial banking group as a vice president and relationship manager. Prior to moving to Exchange Bank, Hinde held similar positions in commercial lending at Mechanics Bank working with wineries, growers, business owners and real estate investors throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.
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December 2014Oenofrance opens U.S. subsidiary
Petaluma, Calif.—Oenofrance, a French supplier of winemaking products and biotechnology, announced it has opened a U.S. subsidiary, Oenofrance USA, in Petaluma, Calif. Founded in 1943, Oenofrance is part of the Bordeaux-based Sofralab Group and some of its notable innovations include a yeast for aromatic white wines and the protocols for the production of freeze-dried lactic bacteria. “Oenofrance USA’s mission is to provide the American wine industry with our expertise, range of products and winemaking counseling by designing personalized protocols using new technologies," said Didier Fages, CEO and president of Sofralab.
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December 2014Verallia launches SGP Packaging
Fairfield, Calif.—Glass producer Verallia announced the launch of SGP Packaging, a U.S.-based company serving North American wineries. The new division offers the entire Saint Gobain and Verallia packaging lines plus new options. The company claims it has the largest portfolio of products by drawing on more than 20 glass factories in Europe and two decoration plants. It offers stock items in more than 10 colors ranging in sizes from 50ml to 15L. SGP customers will now have access to shapes and colors not currently available in the United States, such as the Tradiver color developed by Verallia France for the Grands Crus of Bordeaux. “SGP Packaging represents a new major actor of the packaging industry with a different approach, products and services,” said vice president and general manager Jean Pierre "J-P" Giovanni.
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November 2014Vinous to acquire IWC
New York, N.Y.—Antonio Galloni’s start-up wine review website Vinous announced it will acquire Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, IWC. Vinous will add IWC’s archive to its website, which will now be home to more than 180,000 wine reviews and more than 1,000 articles on a platform that also incorporates video, interactive maps and a real-time user forum. Tanzer will join Galloni as partner, editor-in-chief and lead critic.
Galloni is the former lead critic of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate and launched Vinous in May 2013.
The new Vinous editorial team and each member's coverage areas includes:
Antonio Galloni: Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Italy, Champagne, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Mountains and Burgundy
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November 2014New hires at Maverick
Ukiah, Calif.—Custom closure supplier Maverick Enterprises announced Janette Brooks is the company’s new chief financial officer and joins Maverick after working as the CFO and controller for a manufacturing company in California. Debby De Lapo is the company’s new customer care representative and is veteran of the packaging business.
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November 2014Bruni partners with Italian firm
Fairfield, Calif.—Bruni Glass Packaging announced a partnership with the Italian firm Labrenta srl to expand the European company’s presence in the North American market. Labrenta produces a wide range of closures from natural corks to plastic and aluminum products that can be produced in a variety of custom shapes, sizes and colors.
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October 2014M.A. Silva breaks ground on new building
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Cork, glass and wine packaging supplier M.A. Silva announced it broke ground on a new manufacturing facility near its existing building in the Westwind Business Park near the Sonoma County Regional Airport in Santa Rosa. DES Architects + Engineers designed the custom building that will be built by Alston Construction.
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October 2014Novavine unveils Protocol 2010 increase block
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October 2014Lelievre joins Mistral
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October 2014Several new hires at Cork Supply
Benicia, Calif.—Cork Supply USA announced several new hires including Josh Trowbridge as the company’s new vice president of sales for its oak division. Trowbridge will lead a team of oak consultants representing Tonnellerie O and Cork Supply’s alternatives division Creative Oak. Trowbridge most recently managed sales and distribution for The Wine Group.
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October 2014Adams acquires Tapp Label
Napa, Calif.—Following its acquisition of LabelOne Connect in Beaverton, Ore., and Bonham Label in Livermore, Calif., Adams Label Co., announced it formed a new venture to complete the purchase of Tapp Label Technologies in Napa Calif. The deal is expected to close in December according to a press release. Following the purchase of Tapp Label Technologies all the companies will operate under the Tapp Label brand to offer digital, flexography and offset printing in California, Oregon and British Columbia. The new company will continue to seek new capital to purchase equipment and technology while expanding its market.
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October 2014Collotype wins label printing awards
Sonoma, Calif.—Collotype Labels announced it won the top award for digital label printing in two North American printing competitions. Collotype took top honors for digital printing in the North American Tag & Label Industry Association’s annual awards and the North American Gold Ink Awards. The company won both awards for the Michael David Winery brand Freakshow label.
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October 2014M.A. Silva acquires packaging business
Santa Rosa, Calif.—M.A. Silva announced its acquisition of Vintners Global Resources’ packaging business. Vintners Global Resources, VGR, is located in Kent, Wash., and produces wine bottles, closures and packaging for the Pacific Northwest wine industry. VGR will work with M.A. Silva’s other partner company, Oak Tradition in Walla Walla, Wash., to provide a complete portfolio of products for the Northwest wine industry. VGR’s CEO and founder Andy Brassington and account manager Teresa Lawrenson will join the M.A. Silva team.
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October 2014Laffort hires new rep
Lodi, Calif.—Matt Ridge is Laffort USA’s new technical representative for the Central Valley, Lodi and Sierra Nevada foothills. Ridge will be based in Lodi and comes to Laffort after working as a winemaker at wineries in the Central Valley, North Coast and Lodi.
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October 2014Guala opens new production plant
Fairfield, Calif.—Guala Closures Group opened its new production facility in Fairfield, Calif., near Napa and Sonoma counties. The new Guala Closures Design Studio features on-site design services for clients as well as custom artwork, color matching and production runs as small as 1,000 closures to enable clients to walk in with ideas and walk out with a finished product. “Opening a production facility in the U.S. has been our goal for several years,” said Alessandro Bocchio, Guala Closures USA general manger.
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September 2014Enartis to distribute new Brett test
Philadelphia, Pa.—Invisible Sentinel announced that it had formed a non-exclusive agreement with Enartis and its U.S. subsidiary, Enartis Vinquiry, to distribute its Veriflow Brett assay that tests for the presence of the yeast Brettanomyces. Enartis will distribute the Veriflow device in California and other international markets. The Veriflow assay employs “molecular flow-based technology” to provide a quick and accurate test for the presence of Brett.
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September 2014Nadalie hires new sales rep
Calistoga, Calif.—Kevin Andre is the new sales representative for Nadalie USA cooperage in California serving Napa County from St. Helena to Yountville as well as Lodi, the Sierra Nevada foothills and in Canada covering the British Columbia market. Andre previously worked in sales for Saverglass and holds a masters degree in international trade and management.
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September 2014Granbury Acquires eWinery Solutions
Grapevine, Texas—Granbury Solutions announced it had acquired eWinery Solutions in Napa, Calif. Based in Texas, Granbury produces technology to support the wine, pizza, delivery, specialty coffee and restaurant industries. The firm acquired WineWare Software in 2013. “Joining forces with Granbury will enable us to combine forces to provide more innovative solutions faster to a larger set of wineries,” said eWinery founder and CEO Richard Kline who will take the position of general manager for the wine business unit of Granbury.
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September 2014New hires at Vintage Nurseries
Wasco, Calif.—Rick Burnes is the new senior vice president and general manager of Vintage Nurseries. Burnes has worked in agriculture for more than 20 years and pledged he's going to bring a fresh set of eyes to change things up at the nursery. “You will see substantial differences in our company over the next six to 12 months and I think you’re really going to like what you see."
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September 2014Oak Solutions hires technical sales engineer
Napa, Calif.—Oak Solutions Group announced Glenn Jeffries is the company’s new tru/tan technical sales engineer focused on the company's line of enological tannin products. Jeffries has more than 15 years of experience as a chemist for Analytical Sciences in Petaluma, Calif., where he focused on chemical analysis, extractions and field sampling. “Since tannins involve one of the most complex areas of chemistry, we have carefully assembled a team to support the intricacies of this field,” said Kyle Sullivan, Oak Solutions Group’s director of sales.
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September 2014Clemens to produce AgroThermal equipment
Walnut Creek, Calif.—Marty Fischer, CEO of AgroThermal Systems announced that the German vineyard equipment supplier Clemens Vineyard Equipment will now design and manufacture AgroThermal Systems for the European Union and other international markets. Bernd Clemens, managing director of Clemens, said the company believes AgroThermal technology could help with pest control, fruit set and improving wine quality. The companies plan to have new equipment available for the 2015 harvest. The AgroThermal system is a tractor-pulled device that treats vines with a blast of hot air.
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August 2014Saxco acquires Square Peg
Philadelphia, Pa.—Saxco International announced its acquisition of Square Peg Packaging and Printing based in San Diego, Calif. and Phoenix, Ariz. Square Peg designs and produces glass containers and custom packaging materials and offers printing services. “Square Peg is an exciting addition to the Saxco team. It solidifies our strategy for custom packaging and services for the beer and beverage industry in Southern California,” said Matthew Malenfant, Saxco’s CEO.
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August 2014New sales manager at CorkTec
Stafford Springs, Conn.—Jefferson Bell is the new sales manager for CorkTec and is responsible for all sales in North America. Bell previously worked in at a Napa Valley winery where he worked in all aspects of wine production. Jamie Stawecki is also the company’s new customer service representative after being promoted from a position at EdgeWater, International, which is CorkTec’s parent company.
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July 2014Laffort names business development manager
Petaluma, Calif.—Laffort USA appointed Cyril Derreumaux as the business development manager for the Nobile line of oak alternatives and Esencia flavoring components for aromatic wines and spirits. Both of the products are new to the North American market. Before joining Laffort, Derreumaux was the general manager for Vivelys USA a oak alternatives and winemaking consulting company.
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July 2014Adams label acquires LabelOne Connect
Westlake Village, Calif.—Adams Label Company announced its acquisition of LabelOne Connect in Beaverton, Ore. Founded by Wilfredo and Ardie Rabanal in 1983, LabelOne Connect was one of the first companies to print pressure sensitive wine labels. Adams Label Company, is a new venture seeking to acquire more firms in the wine label business serving key wine regions of the U.S., according to a press release by the firm. The company is affiliated with the Adams Wine Group. Details:
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July 2014New rep for Northern Fine Oak
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July 2014Titan acquires distributor Angeles Wine Agency
Woodland Hills, Calif.—California wine and spirits distributor Titan Wine and Spirits announced its acquisition of Angeles Wine Agency, a statewide wholesale distributor of wines from around the world. Founded by Jeff Welburn in 1991, Angeles Wine Agency has focused on distributing wines in California from European wineries as well as wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Monterey County, Paso Robles and Willamette Valley. Titan is part of TGIC Global Fine Wine Co., which was founded by Alex Guarachi in 1985.
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June 2014New Laffort reps in the Northwest, Central Coast
St. Helena, Calif.—Laffort USA announced Darren Michaels is the company’s new technical representative for the Pacific Northwest and Matt Brain is its new technical representative for the Central Coast of California. Michaels had been serving clients in Sonoma and Mendocino counties before deciding to move to Washington. Prior to joining Laffort, Michaels was the director of winemaking at Terravant Wine Company. Brain worked in winemaking at Edna Valley Vineyards and Juniper Canyon and is a past faculty member of the Enology and Viticulture Program at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
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June 2014Scott Labs hires rep for Temecula, Mexico
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May 2014SVB estimates 524 wineries to change hands
St. Helena, Calif.—Based on a survey of wineries in the West Coast, Silicon Valley Bank is reporting that 524 wineries in Washington, Oregon and California are “strongly considering a sale, or are hopeful a sale will take place.”
The bank arrived at that figure by extrapolating results from a survey that found 10.5% of wineries surveyed (or 68 of 646) reported they were hoping to sell or strongly considering such a move. Calculating that there are 4,989 wineries on the West Coast, based on figures from statewide winery associations, the bank applied its 10.5% figure to arrive at the 524 total for wineries looking to sell.
“If you’re in the market for a winery as a commercial entity or a family business, there’s never been a better time,” said Rob McMillan, founder of Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division and the report’s author. “The current pace of ownership transitions in the last—and the next—few years is the highest the West Coast wine industry has ever seen.”
According to the report, Washington wineries are more likely to be open to an acquisition offer in the near term, as are wineries producing wines with lower average price per bottle. The wineries considering a sale are roughly split between commercial wineries and lifestyle properties. Download the complete report here: svb.com
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May 2014Pall Corp. acquires Filter Specialists
Port Washington, N.Y.—Pall Corp. announced its acquisition of Filter Specialists Inc. (FSI), a filtration products supplier based in Michigan City, Ind. FSI supplies products to the food and beverage,…
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April 2014Ardagh-Verallia deal made official
The packaging firm Ardagh Group has finalized the acquisition of Verallia North America from Saint-Gobain. The Luxembourg-based buyer first announced its intention to purchase the glass manufacturer in 2013, but the Federal Trade Commission said the deal could only proceed if Verallia sold six manufacturing plants that belonged to a subsidiary.
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April 2014IRI allies with GuestMetrics for on-premise data
Chicago, Calif.—Market research firm IRI announced its exclusive partnership with GuestMetrics, which tracks sales data from on-premise point-of-sale systems. The deal, which includes an equity acquisition by IRI, will provide IRI data on wine purchases at restaurants and bars as well insights on food and other beverage purchases.
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April 2014New supplier for PaperBoy product
Healdsburg, Calif.—Truett-Hurst Inc., the 209,000-case publicly traded wine company announced a new supplier for one of its most innovative wine packages. Ecologic Brands Inc. will begin manufacturing PaperBoy packaging at its 60,000-square-foot plant in Manteca, Calif.
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April 2014New custom crush facility
Sonoma, Calif.—Sonoma Valley Custom Wine is a new custom crush facility at 2141 Eighth St. E. in Sonoma, Calif. The 50,000-square-foot facility offers 160,000 gallons of tank storage, crush capacity for 1,200 tons and space to store 4,000 barrels. The company also offers some case good storage and on-site wine treatment services. Winemaker and general manager Ron Goss previously worked with Sonoma Wine Co., Trinchero Family Estates and Viansa Winery. For more information, call 707-938-8364.
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April 2014Tubridy joins Winesecrets
Sebastopol, Calif.—Jim Tubridy is the new services sales manager at American Winesecrets filtration company. Prior to joining Winesecrets, Tubridy was the business development manager for centrifuge s…
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April 2014TCW increases sales staff
Santa Rosa, Calif.—The Compleat Winemaker hired Patrick Callagy as its new national sales manager and named Thomas Tomsky its new California sales representative. Both Callagy and Tomsky have more tha…
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March 2014New rep at Balzac
Napa, Calif.—Ana Scofield joined Balzac Communications and Marketing and will handle public relations for several domestic and international clients. Scofield joins the agency after working in television production and most recently for Destination Cellars, a Napa Valley-based travel agency focused on the world’s wine regions.
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March 2014New alcohol-reduction facility in Napa County
American Canyon, Calif.—VA Filtration announced its new alcohol-reduction facility is up and running. General manager Bryan Tudhope said the system is a vacuum distillation unit that features a deep vacuum operation, indirect water heating a small hold-up volume. The company is also offering wineries a mobile service in which it will create a “low-color wine fraction” with VA Filtration’s membrane technology and ship that fraction to the distillation facility for treatment. Clients would then blend the low-alcohol wine back to reduce the alcohol level of a particular wine. “The volume to ship will depend on how far the customer would like to lower his alcohol on any given lot,” Tudhope said.
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March 2014New owner of Oxbo vineyard line
Stanberry, Mo.—Midwest Grower Supply has acquired the VMech vineyard-mechanization product line from Oxbo International Corp. The company has been the distributor of Oxbo grape harvesters and vineyard mechanization tools across the Midwest, southeast and southern United States. “MWGS expects to provide the vineyard industry with new and improved mechanization tools as well as parts and product support,” said Brent Borboa, vineyard product manager for Oxbo.
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March 2014Nomacorc announces research partners
Zebulon, N.C.—Closure manufacturer Nomacorc announced three more wine research institutes had joined its initiative to study the relation between oxygen and wine. Ecole de Changins in Switzerland, Institut Francais de la Vigne et du Vin in France and the University of Naples Depart…
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March 2014Mercier unveils 'Clean Process'
Vacaville, Calif.—Mercier California grapevine nursery has launched a new production protocol it's calling “Clean Process” to prevent the spread of vine diseases. The patented process employs anolyte disinfection and testing for red blotch and other diseases. Mercier also announced it’s offering the use of its research and development laboratory in France called Novatech for plant material analysis by clients in the United States. Details: mercier-california.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
March 2014Mercier names Tim Olson sales manager
Napa, Calif.—French cooperage Mercier has promoted Tim Olson to sales manager for California. Olson joined the company as a sales agent in January 2013. He is now responsible for all sales and marketing, which includes servicing existing customers and developing new relationships. Details: tonnellerie-mercier.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2014Heritage to sell Vino Vessel
Napa, Calif.—Heritage Barrels, which represents several coopers in North America, announced it would also sell concrete tanks built by Vino Vessel in Paso Robles, Calif. Heritage Barrels, based in Napa, will represent Vino Vessel throughout North America except for San Luis Obispo County in California. Details: heritagebarrels.com
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February 2014Gusmer partners with Pacific Ozone
Fresno, Calif.—Gusmer Enterprises, based in Fresno, Calif., will sell ozone generators by Benicia, Calif.-based Pacific Ozone through a new collaboration between the two companies. Pacific Ozone manufactures air-cooled, corona discharge ozone generators and integrated ozone systems…
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February 2014New executives at Wine.com
San Francisco, Calif.—Wine.com announced Peter Elarde is the company’s new chief marketing officer and Greg Tatem is the new vice president of engineering. Elarde is the former chief marketing officer and head of product and user experience at Shutterfly. Prior to joining Wine.com, Tatem oversaw the e-commerce platform for Williams-Sonoma.
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February 2014G3 Label earns certification
Modesto, Calif.—G3 Label Division announced it had earned the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certification from Scientific Certification Systems. G3 supplies labels to the wine and spirits industries including its FSC certified GTREE wine label stock, which is 100% post-consumer waste recycled fiber and also designed to stay intact after a bottle is chilled in a ice bucket. G3 developed the label material with Monadnock Paper Mills.
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January 2014Govino acquired by investor group
St. Helena, Calif.—Govino glass company founder Joseph Perrulli announced that an investment group led by Napa vintner Pat Stotesbery had acquired a majority stake in the company. Stotesbery, who is the owner of Ladera Vineyards in Napa Valley, acquired all the company’s assets and technology. Perrulli, who founded the company in 2008, will maintain an ownership share and serve as creative director. The govino glasses are made with a flexible, shatterproof polymer and feature a patented thumb-notch design. Details: govinowine.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2014Cork campaign to help wineries with marketing
Sacramento, Calif.—The cork-awareness campaign 100% Cork is launching a new effort to help wineries that use cork bottle closures to promote their brands. Making its debut at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, the campaign will assist wineries that use corks with social media publicity, marketing materials and news media public relations. The campaign is highlighting a recent consumer survey in which 61% of those surveyed expressed a preference for cork. “Despite consumer preference for natural cork, most wineries that use cork rarely inform customers of their choice for closure,” said Carlos de Jesus, global campaign director for the Portuguese Cork Association. Details: 100percentcork.org.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2014New general manager at Laffort
Petaluma, Calif.—Shaun Richardson is the new general manager of Laffort USA. Richardson will manage the French yeast manufacturer’s operations in the United States as well as in Canada and Mexico. Details: laffortusa.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2014Seguin Moreau acquires Fine Northern Oak
Napa, Calif.—Seguin Moreau Cooperage announced its acquisition of oak alternatives supplier Fine Northern Oak based in Appleton, Wis. The French cooper, which operates a cooperage in Napa, takes control of the Fine Northern Oak brand as well as equipment and inventory. Fine Northern Oak fou…
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January 2014Cork campaign to help wineries with marketing
Napa, Calif.—The cork awareness campaign 100% Cork is launching a new effort to help wineries that use cork bottle closures promote their brands. Making its debut at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, Calif., the campaign will assist wineries that use corks with …
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January 2014New general manager of Guillaume nursery
Knights Landing, Calif.—Jean Vittot is the new general manager of Guillaume Grapevine Nursery. Vittot is the former vice president of sales and marketing for Canton Cooperage and most recently managed the Xtrachene line of oak alternatives in Bordeaux, France. Eckhart Kaesekamp, Guillaume’s former general manager, is leaving to start his own business according to a statement released by the company and will work part-time as a consultant to help ensure a smooth transition.
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January 2014General manager promotion at Cooperages 1912 Napa
Napa, Calif.—Elizabeth Van Emst was promoted to the position of general manager for Cooperages 1912 Napa. Van Emst will oversee wine barrel sales in North America and manage the firm’s operations in Napa. Van Emst joined the company in 2008 as a wine barrel account manager for the Sonoma, Oregon and Coastal California markets; most recently she was the company’s West Coast operations manager.
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December 2013Wine Industry Symposium Group names new director of programs
Napa, Calif.—The Wine Industry Symposium Group appointed Lisa Adams Walter as its new director of programs. Adams Walter has run her own PR consulting firm, Adams Walter Communications, for 15 years, and will simultaneously continue in that role. Her prior professional experience includes working as the director of marketing and public relations for Wine Business Publications, for the Napa Valley Vintners Association on the second Premiere Napa Valley and as the director of public relations for the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance. She currently serves as the assistant executive director of the Academy of Wine Communications as well as an appointed representative on the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee to the Napa County Board of Supervisors.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
December 2013Oren Lewin joins Winery Exchange
Novato, Calif.—Winery Exchange, a leading producer of quality wine, beer and spirits, announced today that Oren Lewin has joined the company as senior vice president of marketing. Lewin, who brings 20 years of strategic marketing and leadership experience to Winery Exchange, will oversee all marketing and creative services initiatives for the company’s entire wine, beer and spirits portfolio. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions at Blends, Inc., Constellation Wines U.S., Foster’s Wine Estates and The Clorox Co.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
December 2013W3 Packaging expands printing capabilities
Green Bay, Wis.—WS Packaging Group Inc. expanded its digital printing capabilities to better serve the wine industry by adding two new HP Indigo WS6600 presses. The new presses were installed at the company’s facilities in Algoma, Wis., and Fullerton, Calif. In addition to th…
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December 2013G3 Enterprises wins label awards
San Antonio, Texas—The label division of G3 Enterprises earned two awards at the annual Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute Convention. G3 took first place in the Flexo Wine and Spirits category for the E. & J. Gallo Brandy XO label and second place for the McManis Family Vineyard 2012 Viognier label. Details: g3enterprises.com.
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December 2013Property expert opens own firm
Sonoma, Calif.—Tony Correia, a vineyard and farm property expert, announced that he had left Correia-Xavier Inc., the firm he founded, to form his own new venture, The Correia Co. Correia and his wife, Stephanie Correia, will focus on litigation and tax work in the wine industry as well as valuation disputes, estate planning and gifting, purchase price allocations and AVA and partial-interest valuations.
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November 2013Innovation award nominations sought
Fruition Sciences and Bank of the West are sponsoring the Vintage Report Innovation Award to honor “the most groundbreaking method, practice or sustainable approach used during the 2013 vintage.” Nominations can be made through fruitionsciences.com by Dec. 6. A panel of experts will review the nominations and announce a winner at Fruition Sciences’ Jan. 22 Vintage Report Conference in Napa, Calif.
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November 2013Diam announces North American export manager
Closure manufacturer Diam announced that Francois Margot is the new export manager for North America. Margot already works as export manager for China and Japan. Margot will be living in California to better serve the wine industry. Before joining Diam in 2004, Margot worked for 12 years as a production and export manager in the French wine industry. Details: diam-closures.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
November 2013Bacchus Capital forms sales and marketing company
Bacchus Capital Management, a private equity firm with investments in several wineries, announced it is launching BCM Wineworks Sales and Marketing Co. to represent three of the wineries in its portfolio. The new company will represent Sbragia Family Vineyards in Geyserville, Calif., DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, Wash., and Madrigal Vineyards in Calistoga, Calif. Bacchus founder Sam Bronfman will serve as the new company’s chairman, Steve Cousins is president, Jay Soloff is the vice president of national sales and Bill Piersol is the senior advisor of marketing and planning. Details: bacchuswinefund.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
November 2013Novavine expands Santa Rosa, Calif., location
Santa Rosa, Calif.—Driven by the significant increase in vineyard development throughout California during the past few years, Novavine has expanded its North Coast production facility. The new greenhouse features 46,332 square feet of space, rollup walls, a palletized traveling be…
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October 2013Saxco acquires Synergy Glass & Packaging
Horsham, Penn.—Packaging materials distributor Saxco International in Horsham, Penn., announced its acquisition of Synergy Glass & Packaging based in Benicia, Calif. Synergy has distributed glass bottles and other packaging products to the wine and food industries since 2003.
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October 2013New rep for ACI Cork USA
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October 2013New rep for AWS/Prospero
Steve Felten is now representing AWS/Prospero in the Central Coast and Southern California. Felten is the former general manager and winemaker at Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles and makes his own wine under the Felten Cellars label. Details: prosperocorp.biz.
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October 2013NakedWines.com announces funding
Online wine retailer NakedWines.com announced it received a third-round investment of $10 million to increase the company’s business in the United States and Australia. The investment came from WIV Wein International AG, which is a founding shareholder of the firm and owns a majority interest in the company. Details: nakedwines.com.
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October 2013SureHarvest honored for sustainability
The California/Nevada Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society presented SureHarvest with an award recognizing the company’s development of technologies and sustainability and certification programs. SureHarvest’s vice president of professional services and Wines & Vines columnist Cliff Ohmart accepted the award on behalf of the company. Details: caswcs.org.
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October 2013Saury adds to North American sales team
Brianne Day joined Saury USA’s North American sales team and will be responsible for mainly Washington and Oregon. Day has eight years of experience in wine production. Details: sauryusa.com.
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October 2013Packaging firm makes invests in facilities
Universal Packaging Corp. announced it had completed a $1.2 million investment in its Canadian production plant in Vernon, B.C. The company, which decorates bottles with screen-printing, reports the investment will increase its capacity by 50%. Details: unipack.ca.
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October 2013Nursery expands production
Duarte Nursery Inc. of Hughson, Calif., announced it expanded its grapevine production for the 2014 delivery season to meet the demand from growers looking to expand or replant. The nursery stated in a news release that it has 30 million rootstocks and 50 million scion buds certified and virus tested for 2014 grafting. Details: duartenursery.com.
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October 2013Roll Global buys Vintage Nurseries
Roll Global LLC, owner of Fiji Water, Wonderful Pistachios, Justin Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles, Calif., and other enterprises, announced its purchase of Vintage Nurseries in Wasco, Calif. The acquisition includes 755,300 square feet of production and growing facilities and 1,169 acres of owned and leased land in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Vintage Nurseries produces grafted grapevine rootstocks for the wine grape, table grape and raisin industries. Details: vintagenurseries.com.
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October 2013Free Flow pouring at 1,500 locations
Free Flow Wines announced that more than 250 wines are on tap at more than 1,500 restaurants, hotels and other venues in the United States. The company is also moving into a new 22,000-square-foot location in Napa, Calif. The firm specializes in filling kegs for wineries to offer their clients a “wine on tap” option. Details: freeflowwines.com.
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October 2013Saxco adds sales account manager
Carson E. Wright joined Saxco International LLC as its sales account manager for the Northwest. Wright will handle day-to-day sales and new accounts for the glass bottle distributor based in Oakland, Calif. He joins Saxco after working as a sales consultant for Cork Supply USA in Portland, Ore. Details: saxco.com.
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September 2013Army veteran assumes winemaker role
Winesecrets LLC in Sebastopol, Calif., hired Luke Bohanan as a production winemaker. Bohanan holds a master’s degree in enology from the University of California, Davis, and is a former Army officer who served in Iraq as a combat engineer. Details: winesecrets.com.
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September 2013Bucher Vaslin moves headquarters
Bucher Vaslin North America moved its California headquarters from Sebastopol, Calif., to 3100 Dutton Ave., Suite 146, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95407. The firm’s phone number remains the same, but its fax number is now (707) 535-0581.
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September 2013Cooper earns certification
Tonnellerie Rousseau announced it had obtained the ISO22000 certificate meeting international standards for food safety. To earn certification, the cooper reports that it reinforced procedures for traceability and bolstered protections against possible sources of contamination. Details: artisanbarrels.com.
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September 2013New sales rep for Spokane Industries
Kevin Garasky is the new regional sales manager for Spokane Industries, covering Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana as well as Alberta and British Columbia. Garasky comes to Spokane Industries after working in sales in the insurance, financial services and medical supply fields. Details: spokaneindustries.com.
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September 2013Cal-Western Nurseries changes leadership
Teresa Khachigian-Ritchie is the new general manager and vice president of Cal-Western Nurseries, assuming day-to-day management of the company from Luther J. Khachigian, her father. Khachigian-Ritchie joins the nursery based in Visalia, Calif., after more than 30 years in the banking industry. Luther Khachigian will remain the company’s CEO and secretary-treasurer.
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September 2013BSG hires technical sales manager
Ryu Yamamoto is the new technical sales manager at BSG Wine Division in Napa, Calif. Yamamoto has worked in sales and as consulting winemaker in New Zealand, Australia, Spain, France and Russia. Details: bsgwine.com.
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September 2013Nominations sought for innovation award
Bank of the West and Fruition Sciences are seeking applications for their Vintage Report Innovation Award, which recognizes groundbreaking practices used during the 2013 harvest. The winner will be announced at Fruition Sciences’ 2013 Vintage Report conference in January 2014. Application deadline is Dec. 6, 2013. Details: fruitionsciences.com.
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September 2013Marketing firm now offers label design
Talk Is Sheep, a marketing and design firm based in Sacramento, Calif., is now offering label-design services. The company had already been providing website redesigns and now can help wineries match their print and digital brand identities. Details: talkissheepmarketing.com.
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August 2013New director at Bacchus
Mark Canty joined Bacchus Capital in San Francisco, Calif., as director. Canty formerly was a member of the corporate leadership development program at E. & J. Gallo Winery. Details: bacchuswinefund.com.
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August 2013Wine Management partners with ETS
Wine Management Systems (WMS) in San Rafael, Calif., partnered with ETS Laboratories in St. Helena, Calif., to flow wine analysis results into WMS’ cloud-based wine-production system. The change is intended to help winemakers manage lab results faster and with less data entry. Details: winemanagementsystems.com.
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August 2013New CEO for Universal Packaging
Steve Pelkey will become the new CEO of Universal Packaging following the retirement of Mac McLellan at the end of the year. Pelkey is currently the firm’s vice president of sales and marketing. Details: unipack.ca.
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August 2013Active Club Solutions opens data center
Wine club management firm Active Club Solutions opened a new data center in Lacey, Wash. The company reports the new center should help wineries in Washington state and western Canada manage wine club websites faster. Details: activeclubsolutions.com.
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August 2013Used equipment dealer opens
Revolution Equipment Sales opened in Santa Rosa, Calif., selling “certified pre-owned” equipment for the wine and beer industries. The company is owned by P&L Specialties and the Tom Beard Co. Details: revoquip.com.
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August 2013Scott Labs adds supplier
Scott Laboratories Inc. completed a renovation of its main warehouse in Petaluma, Calif. The warehouse now has 30% more storage capacity and a streamlined process for managing inventory and shipping orders. The company also added Australian chemical firm AiRD to its list of suppliers.
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July 2013Enartis Vinquiry partners with Fruition Sciences
Lab analysis and equipment supplier Enartis Vinquiry of Windsor, Calif., announced it had partnered with Fruition Sciences in Oakland, Calif., to correlate lab analysis with data gleaned from vineyard and environmental operations. Analysis programs include grape-maturation tracking, the ICV method of berry sensory analysis, grape phenolic panel and a Botrytis panel. Details: enartisvinquiry.com.
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July 2013New sales director at Vicard
Georges Milcan is the new group sales director of cooper Tonnellerie Vicard in Cognac, France. Most recently, Milcan was the sales director of Tonnellerie Saury. Details: bouchardcooperages.com.
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July 2013Astro-Cooler opens second location
Astro-Cooler, the Sacramento, Calif.-based maker of cargo insulation products, opened a manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Kan. The new factory is the company’s second and is intended to better serve the firm’s clients in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Details: astrocooler.com.
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July 2013Promotion at Saury
Tonnellerie Saury of Cloverdale, Calif., promoted Ian Hartnett to the post of sales manager for Saury USA, overseeing all North American sales. Hartnett is a former winemaker. Details: sauryusa.com.
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July 2013VinoVisit.com announces financing
The tasting room reservation and wine country trip planning website VinoVisit.com, based in Napa, Calif., announced it had secured $1 million in private funding. CEO Dan Lintz said the funding enables the company to expand its services nationally and internationally.
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July 2013eWinery Solutions adds Vinx2 winemaking software
Software developer eWinery Solutions in Napa, Calif., is now the North American sales agent for VINx2 Winery Software. VINx2, which will now be offered through eWinery’s VinSuite system, is cloud-based software for day-to-day winemaking operations as well as compliance and other record keeping. Details: ewinerysolutions.com.
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July 2013Barrelblasting moves to new location
The barrel cleaning and rejuvenation company Barrelblasting (formerly Barrel Blasters by Cryo Clean) moved into a new location at 918 Enterprise Way in Napa, Calif. Owner Vic Vasquez is also now the sole owner of the company, which uses a high-pressure stream of dry ice to remove tartrates and wine residue from the inside of barrels. Details: barrelblasting.com.
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July 2013Western Square invests in equipment
Barrel rack manufacturer Western Square Industries Inc., invested $300,000 in a new powder-coating system. The Stockton, Calif.-based company installed a new cure oven with two separate, high-efficiency burners and better conveyors for improved automation. Get details at westernsquare.com.
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June 2013Enartis Vinquiry adds staff
Enartis Vinquiry of Windsor, Calif., announced Max Burmeister is its new laboratory manager and Michelle Bowen was promoted to the role of wine services director. Burmeister has worked in wine and beer laboratories since 1981. Bowen joined the company in 2004 as director of laboratory operations. Enartis Wine Services is a new division of the company with the goal of providing customer service and technical support to winery clients. Details: enartisvinquiry.com.
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June 2013Chase appoints head of beverage group
John Stucker is the leader of Chase bank’s Beverage Industry Group, which focuses on serving mid-sized beverage manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Stucker will be based in Houston. He is the former director of the J.P. Morgan Debt Capital Markets group.
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June 2013Rutherford Equipment in new location
Justin Warner joined Rutherford Equipment as an operations assistant. The company moved into a new location at 156 Camino Oruga, Suite E, in Napa, Calif., and announced it is the distributor for Airocide air purifiers, which help eliminate mold and other contaminants. Details: rutherfordrental.com.
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June 2013Paragon Label wins environmental award
Petaluma, Calif.-based Paragon Label won an award from the national trade group Flexographic Technical Association for the label company’s sustainable and environmental practices. “Our goal has been to influence our employees, customers, visitors and the community to get involved and committed to their own sustainable practices,” said Jason Grossman, the company’s founder and president.
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June 2013AgroThermal hires field manager
Tim Matson is the new field manager for AgroThermal Systems. Matson, formerly with Vineworks Vineyard, will oversee grower relations and work closely with Tony Nguyen, the firm’s director of business development. AgroThermal also announced it has partnered with North Coast Vineyard Services to provide its thermal treatment system for vineyards. The company produces a tractor-pulled hot-air blower to combat pests and help improve yield and fruit quality. Details: agrothermalsystems.com.
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June 2013eWinery Solutions buys Blue Dog
Napa, Calif.-based eWinery Solutions announced it acquired digital marketing firm Blue Dog Solutions. Blue Dog founder Michael Meisner is also joining eWinery as manager of direct-to-consumer marketing services. Details bluedogsolutions.com, ewinerysolutions.com.
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June 2013AgCode and Meristem merge
AgCode Inc. of Glenwood, Minn., acquired Sonoma, Calif.-based Meristem Technologies. The deal means AgCode will incorporate Meristem’s GIS mapping functions into its vineyard-management system. Mike Bobbit, the former president of Meristem, also joined AgCode’s California Viticulture Team. Details: agcode.com.
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February 2013Wine Industry Supplier News
Verallia acquired by Luxembourg firmREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
December 2012News About Suppliers
Firm asks growers for moldREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
November 2012Suppliers News
Nomacorc expands researchREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
October 2012Suppliers Newsbriefs
Turrentine names North Coast brokerREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
September 2012Supplier News
New yeast garners patents
Phyterra Yeast Inc. secured U.S. and New Zealand patents for the hydrogen sulfide-preventing wine yeast it developed in conjunction with researchers at the University of California, Davis. Using “classical breeding methods,” researchers disabled the yeast’s ability to form H2S during wine fermentation, according to a company statement. Details: phyterra.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
August 2012Supplier News
Addition to winery lending team and boardREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
July 2012WineDirect acquires Vin65
WineDirect, a direct-to-consumer, compliance and fulfillment company, has acquired winery website designer and e-sales consultant Vin65. Andrew Kamphuis, founder of Vin65, will join the WineDirect management team but said the deal should have little effect on Vin65’s current clients or its other fulfillment suppliers. WineDirect has been using Vin65’s e-commerce platform for all of its clients since 2010. Details: winedirect.com, vin65.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
June 2012Suppliers News
DeLuca joins Wells FargoREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
May 2012Suppliers News
Francois Freres buys Radoux French cooper Francois Fréres closed the deal to purchase Radoux Cooperage for 45.3 million euros. The deal includes Pronektar, Radoux’s line of barrel alternatives. Radoux produces only French oak barrels, of which 80% are exported.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
March 2012Supplier News
Cork Supply USA hires twoREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2012AgCredit merges with Farm Credit Services
AgCredit mer¬ged with Farm Credit Services of the Mountain Plains, based in Greeley, Colo. The merger will make the company the sixth-largest Farm Credit cooperative in the United States, totaling $5.58 billion in assets and a combined customer base of 6,907 members.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2012Winery & Grower Product News
Haak Systems debuts SmartRack barrel-filling control system
Haak Systems has introduced its SmartRack barrel-filling control system for automatically filling wine and spirits barrels without overfilling. Details: haaksystems.net.
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January 2012TricorBraun WinePak to move
TricorBraun Wine Pak will move this month from its Benicia, Calif., location to a larger building in Fairfield, Calif., which will be home to a repacking system that automatically transfers wine bottles from pallets to custom, 12-bottle cartons. Details: tricorbraunwinepak.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
December 2011Pinnacle now Full Circle Finance
Financial services company Pinnacle has changed its name to Full Circle Finance LLC. The Wenatchee, Wash.-based firm offers financing for new and used equipment purchases for its U.S. customers. For more information, visit fullcirclellc.us.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
October 2011French oak mill celebrates 20th anniversary
Tonnellerie Quintessence announced the 20-year anniversary of its French oak stave mill, Merrain International. Tonnellerie Quintessence aims for wood traceability from tree to barrel to winemaker. Visit: tonnelleriequintessence.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
September 2011Laffort takes over new space
Laffort USA, distributor of winemaking supplies, is expanding its operations to a 6,333-square-foot facility in Petaluma, Calif., located on 1460 Cader Lane, Suite C. The move will allow the 10-person operation to have more office space and closer proximity to the highway for salespeople to serve clients in California’s North Coast and Central Coast areas. Visit: laffort.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
August 2011Bacchus provides capital to Andretti
Bacchus Capital Management LLC, a San Francisco-based investment firm, has provided growth and refinancing capital to 30,000-case Andretti Winery. The winery was founded in 1996 by Mario Andretti and Joe Antonini, former chairman and CEO of Kmart. The Andretti investment follows on Bacchus’ recent investment in 36,000-case Qupé, a Central Coast producer of Rhône varietals. Visit: bacchuswinefund.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
July 2011Wine storage facility expands
Oregon Wine Services and Storage (OWS) of McMinnville, Ore., is expanding its operations to include a new 62,000-square-foot facility in Tualatin, which will handle up to 1 million cases of wine. OWS opened its original location in McMinnville in 2001. It has expanded steadily over the past decade, developing a menu of services including storage, shipping, distribution and transportation. It built an addition to its McMinnville facility in 2008 and is also partner with winemaker Laurent Montalieu in NW Wine Co., a custom-crush facility that’s set to move from OWS’s premises in McMinnville to its own purpose-built winery in Dundee. Details: oregonwineservices.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
June 2011ShipCompliant celebrates 100th customer
ShipCompliant, Boulder, Colo., announced the 100th alcohol beverage supplier to adopt its digital wholesale compliance tool, illustrating the industry’s shift from 75-year-old paper-based, three-tier compliance processes to a digital wholesale compliance model. Wilson Daniels joined 99 other wine and spirits suppliers including Pernod Ricard, Palm Bay International, Banfi, Tolosa Winery and B.R. Cohn Winery in making the switch to ShipCompliant. Visit: shipcompliant.com.
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May 2011Cooperage taps Eastern agent
Tonnellerie Remond of Burgundy, France, appointed New World Winery Equipment LLC, Springfield, Mo., as service and sales agents for the eastern U.S. Visit: enotools.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
April 2011Nomacorc upcycles with TerraCycle
Nomacorc, producer of alternative wine closures, celebrated the second anniversary of its partnership with TerraCycle Inc., which facilitates the collection and reuse of non-recyclable waste. The companies have worked together to expand the Cork Brigade, a free program that collects synthetic and natural wine closures and upcycles them into corkboards for the home or office. Visit: nomacorc.com and terracycleshop.com.
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March 2011Demptos taps Eklund for role
Demptos Glass, Fairfield Calif., an affiliate of Saxco International Inc., Horsham, Pa., has appointed Daryl Eklund as sales manager of Demptos Glass. Eklund was formerly general manager and director of sales and marketing for Amorim Cork America, Napa, Calif. Details: demptos.com.
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February 2011PCM acquires Maverick
Maverick Enterprises, a secondary closure company located in Mendocino County, Calif., has been acquired by PCM Companies LLC, an affiliate of Private Capital Management Inc. PCM Inc. is a registered investment adviser headquartered in Eagan, Minn. Maverick employs more than 100 people at its Ukiah, Calif., facility. Details: maverickcaps.com.
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January 2011Turrentine taps Cuneo
Marc Cuneo has joined Turrentine Brokerage of Novato, Calif., as a broker. A fourth-generation member of the Sebastiani wine family, Cuneo has managed vineyards, crushed and fermented grapes and worked in sales for both Sebastiani Vineyards and a major distributor. At Turrentine Brokerage, he will help wineries manage inventories to sustain brand growth and maximize cash flow through planning and the strategic use of the bulk wine market. Details: turrentinebrokerage.com.
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December 2010Wine Opinions debuts Vintrospectives
Wine Opinions now offers clients an alternative to in-person or online focus groups. The Vintrospectives service sources participants from the Wine Opinions consumer or trade panels by running a brief online screening survey. Carefully selected participants then take part in a three-day moderated online discussion on the Vintrospectives website.
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October 2010New products from ATP
American Tartaric Products Inc. (ATP), Windsor, Calif., added to the Malo-Plus malolactic bacteria range launched in 2009. New are Malo-D, selected for diacetyl production, suited for structural white wines and Malo-Multi, a mixed strain Oenococcus oeni with three genetically different strains, to highlight typical varietal aromas. ATP is now representing Heinrich Oak Alternatives from Australia. Details: americantartaric.com.
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September 2010Encore! For Elledge
Melinda Elledge joined Encore! Glass, Benicia, Calif., bottle supplier, as account manager for Napa and Sonoma counties. Previously, she was with Saverglass.
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August 2010Browde joins SureHarvest
Dr. Joe Browde, former pest consultant to the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), joins SureHarvest, Soquel, Calif., as a professional services manager. Details: sureharvest.com.
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July 2010Winemaker joins Vinicas
Tartaric acid manufacturer/direct distributor, Vinicas Inc., Napa, Calif., appointed Krimo Souilah as winemaker and sales manager for North America. Owner of a Pinot Noir vineyard in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, he also has distributed barrels for Mercier USA Inc. For more information, visit vinicas.com.
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June 2010Reichheld is keynote for shipping seminar
Reichheld is keynote for shipping seminar
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May 2010ETS to open in Southern Oregon
ETS Laboratories will open a satellite lab in Ump-qua Community College’s planned Southern Oregon Wine Institute. ETS, founded in 1978, is based in St. Helena, Calif., with additional branches in Sonoma, Calif., Walla Walla, Wash., and McMinnville, Ore.
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April 2010Laffort expands in U.S.
Laffort USA, supplier of winemaking products including yeast, tannins, enzymes and oak alternatives, will now distribute the entire range from its Napa warehouse. Jillian Johnson Phoenix, a University of California, Davis-trained former winemaker for Bonny Doon Vineyards, joined Russel Robbins and Charlotte Gourraud in providing technical support.
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March 2010ColloPack has new Diemme products
ColloPack Solutions, U.S. representative for Diemme processing equipment, has added new Diemme products: GVS8 optical fruit selection system; Kappa 8 destemmer crusher; Kappa P18 peristaltic pump; Vintage 5 vertical basket press and T75 75,000 membrane press. For information, e-mail rwhite@collopack.com.
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February 2010Sparflex adds capabilities
The Ukiah, Calif., capsule supplier invested in a new machine enabling it to provide customers with custom tin and aluminum capsules decorated locally and shipped anywhere in North America. Sparflex also launched a new range of Green Line sparkling wine polylam foils, produced without organic solvents. Learn more at sparflex.com.
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January 2010Suppliers
Gregoire introduces harvester
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December 2009Suppliers
Cornerstone founds winery services division
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October 2009Suppliers
Netafim introduces irrigation options
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September 2009SUPPLIERS
New Central Coast custom crush
San Luis Obispo (SLO) Wine Storage is leasing the former Corbett Canyon
Wine facility at 2915 Corbett Canyon Road in California's Edna Valley. SLO Wine Storage (slowinestorage.com) offers custom crush, aging, barrel storage, blending and bottling, in addition to its existing case goods storage, retail delivery and wine club fulfillment services. It caters to clients of all sizes and price-points, with barrel storage and space for alternating proprietors, 1.2 million gallons of stainless storage and a bottling line with an annual capacity of 500,000 cases. Mark Cummins is consulting winemaker. Corbett Canyon Wine is now produced in Ripon, Calif.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
August 2009SUPPLIERS
AT Mobile Bottling adds ZorkREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
July 2009Suppliers
Wright is forest stewardREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
June 2009Suppliers
M.A. Silva receives green awardREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
May 2009Suppliers
Laffort creates U.S. subsidiaryREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
April 2009Suppliers
New monobloc spinner/labeler from GerardREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
March 2009Suppliers
Try DIY direct-ship licensingREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2009Suppliers
Sarkozy visits QuintessenceREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2009Suppliers
Neocork hires barrier specialistREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
October 2008Suppliers
Iberian varieties arrive in California
Sunridge Nurseries Inc., Bakersfield, Calif., has become the exclusive producer and marketer for clones of Iberian winegrape varieties sourced from Viveiros Plansel, Plantas Selecionadas Ltda. of Portugal, the leading private clonal breeder in Spain and Portugal. Eleven clones have been released from UC Davis' Foundation Plant Services quarantine program and are being blown-up for propagation and availability next year. For details, visit sunridgenurseries.com.
Seguin Moreau has new president
Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage, subsidiary of the Oeneo Group, appointed François Peltereau-Villeneuve president and CEO. Previously, he was with Champagne Laurent-Perrier.
Enologist joins VinOak
Enologist Andrea Tary has signed on to the sales team of VinOak, responsible for accounts in California and Washington. VinOak is a division of Cork Supply USA and supplies both French and American oak barrels and oak adjuncts. Tary has 11 years of experience in wine labs and winemaking with Napa and Sonoma wineries. Cork Supply also announced the appointment of Craig Castelein as its vice president of sales. Previously he was with Option One Mortgage Corp.
Combo stopper from Battistella
Battistella USA, American Canyon, Calif., has devised a combination of natural cork and synthetic material to marry the best attributes of each. The natural cork body ensures adhesion to the bottle, exceptional sealing and consistent extraction, while the ends are sealed with disks attached to a synthetic core, which prevents crumbling or breakage. For details, contact davidg@battistellacapsule.com.
Unified Symposium to expand
The annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium will be extended to encompass a fourth day in 2009. The new schedule will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 27 and run through Friday, Jan. 30. The added day will accommodate a full-day Aroma Symposium. For details, visit unifiedsymposium.org.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
September 2008Suppliers
Winesecrets takes over Vinovation tech
American Winesecrets LLC assumed operations of Vinovation's licensed operation for reverse osmosis technologies and alcohol adjustment services in California and most of North America. Winesecrets' range of filtration technologies includes VA and alcohol adjustment, smoke and Brett taint removal, tartaric stabilization and cross-flow filtration. Vinovation continues to hold its U.S. and international patents. For details, visit winesecrets.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
August 2008Suppliers
Novembal closure replaces cork/capsule
Novembal, a Tetra Pak company based in San Francisco, introduced the new Novatwist wine bottle closure, which replaces traditional cork and capsule or screwcap. The Novatwist fits glass or PET bottles with standard a screwcap finish and can be recycled with them. It has a flexible, unbreakable seal and uses tin or Saranex liners. For details, visit novembal.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
July 2008Suppliers
Zork fights fear factor with YouTube
Zork USA, Napa, Calif. producer of the alternative wine closure, is using a 30-second YouTube video to persuade winemakers that consumers like the Zork. The unscripted segment shows natural reactions of people exposed to Zork for the first time To view it, go to youtube.com and search keywords: zork wine closure.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
June 2008Suppliers
Ball's PET bottles win packaging awards
Ball Corp., Broomfield, Colo., received two Sustainable Packaging Leadership Awards for the 750ml PET plastic wine bottles it supplied to Artisan Wine Company of British Columbia. The Packaging Association of Canada presented Ball with the Canadian Packaging Magazine Best-of-Show Eco-Choice award, as well as a bronze in the international branded package category. The bottles are both lightweight and recyclable. Learn more at ball.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
May 2008Suppliers
Marie Gewirtz launches website
Marie Gewirtz Public Relations & Marketing, Healdsburg, Calif., a wine industry specialist, has launched its new website, mgpr.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
March 2008Suppliers
G3 renovates bottle etching plant
G3 Enterprises, Modesto, Calif., recently completed expansion and improvements on its bottle etching facility, located on the grounds of Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena, Calif. The former Trinity Etching, at the same site, was purchased by G3 four years ago, and currently serves in excess of 150 customers annually, with seven production artists. For details, e-mail john.farley@g3enterprises.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2008Suppliers
SPG Solar has moved
SPG Solar has a new corporate headquarters at 20 Leveroni Ct., Novato, CA 94949. Phone is (415) 382-2112.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2008Suppliers
Ben Franklin expands to Northwest
Napa-based Ben Franklin Press & Label Co. hired Tom Jacobs to head sales efforts at its new Pacific Northwest sales offices in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit benfranklinpress.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
December 2007Suppliers
New bottling equipment specialist
Gerard Consulting, Inc. (GCI) was formed by industry veteran Gerard Rottiers, specializing in the selection of bottling line equipment for all types of closures. It will also supply custom winery machinery and provide modification of existing winery systems. It's at 570 7th St. W., Sonoma, Calif. Phone is (707) 320-3877.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
October 2007Suppliers
Pro Mach acquires Markor
California-based Markor Marketing and Labeling Systems was acquired by Pro Mach Integrated Packaging Solutions, Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the ID Technology division, Fort Worth, Texas, 30-year-old Markor will expand its capabilities. For more information, visit idtechnology.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
September 2007Suppliers
Sparflex now making capsules in U.S.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
August 2007Suppliers
Beltappo Names Eastern RepREAD MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
July 2007Suppliers
Janson Capsules Strengthens U.S. Team
Janson Capsules transferred Melanie Thomas from its headquarters in France to become VP of sales, West Coast, in its Napa operation. Celine Buisson now heads customer service and administrative assistance there. Lisa Zaffino joined as VP of sales, East Coast and Canada. For more information, visit jansoncapsules.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
June 2007Suppliers
Western Wine Goes Solar With SPG
SPG Solar, Inc., San Rafael, Calif., designed and installed Napa's largest commercial photovoltaic (PV) system to date at Western Wine Services. Phase III of the 827 kilowatt installation was completed in March. A total of 3,626 PV panels were installed on the roofs of Western Wine's three warehouses in American Canyon, producing enough energy to power 283 homes per year. Western provides storage/fulfillment and transportation services to more than 140 wineries and importers. For details, visit spgsolar.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
May 2007Suppliers
G3 Device Measures Oxygen in Sealed Packages
The OxySense portable oxygen analyzer uses optical sensing to accurately measure oxygen levels inside sealed containers without opening or destroying them, and does not consume oxygen during the testing. The technology has been used in the food-packing industry for a number of years, and G3 Enterprises, Modesto, Calif., has now introduced it to the wine and beverage industry. For details, visit g-3enterprises.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
April 2007Suppliers
Spectrum issues new catalogue.
Spectrum Technologies, Inc., Plainfield Ill., issued its 20th anniversary edition 2007 product catalog, including information on its weather stations and data loggers. For a copy, visit specmeters.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
March 2007Suppliers
Enocapsule to open West Coast facility.
Enocapsule, Quebec, Canada, manufacturer of PVC, PETG, Polylux wine capsules and aluminum and polylam Champagne foils, will open a California plant by the end of 2009. For information, visit enocapsule.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2007Suppliers
Saxco-Demptos has new GM.
The bottle and packaging supplier named Rich Bouwer general manager of its West Coast operations, based in Fairfield, Calif. Previously, Bouwer was VP, winery operations for Foster's Wine Estates, Napa.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2007Suppliers
New sales and marketing company established.
Pacific Wine Associates, Salinas, Calif., is headed by David Tonus, and will provide national sales and marketing campaigns for wineries, including its first client, Peletier Station, Acampo, Calif. Contact Tonus at davidtonus@sbcglobal.net.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
December 2006Suppliers
Tonnellerie de Jarnac has new technical director.
Tonnellerie de Jarnac, USA, Napa, Calif., appointed Yannick Rousseau as technical director. Previously, Rousseau was associate winemaker at Chateau Potelle Winery. Contact him at (707) 332-4524 or yannickrousseau@sbcglobal.net.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
October 2006Suppliers
G3 adds a label press.
G3 Enterprises, Modesto, Calif., has expanded its label printing capabilities with the addition of a Gallus EM 410 S narrow web flexographic press with 10-color capacity, electronic register control, UV or water-based Flexo inks and coatings, inline hot-stamping, rotary embossing and die cutting and a maximum width of 16 inches. For details, visit g-3enterprises.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
September 2006Suppliers
Vinquiry has sparkling wine products.
Vinquiry, an independent wine lab with offices in Windsor, Napa and Santa Maria, Calif., is exclusive distributor for Station Oenotechique de Champagne (SOEC) for méthode champenoise production and Charme Sparkling Wine Products for the Charmat closed tank method. Each line contains a range of products from active dry yeasts to adjuvants and clarifying agents. For details, visit vinquiry.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
August 2006Suppliers
Management changes at Krones.
Krones, Inc., Franklin, Wis. supplier of packaging and bottling line systems, named former CFO Holger Beckmann chief executive officer, upon retirement of CEO Heinz Sommer. Timouth Raymond was promoted to senior vice president, sales and marketing for North America.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
July 2006Suppliers
Scott to distribute Anchor yeasts.
Scott Laboratories, Petaluma, Calif., now has four Anchor Yeast strains, VIN 7, VIN 13, NT50 and NT116. For details, visit scottlab.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
June 2006Suppliers
Saverglass CEO moves to Napa.
Daniel Repoux, founder, president and CEO of Saverglass, Inc., will relocate from the bottle supplier's New Rochelle, N.Y. office to direct national operations from the company's Napa headquarters, subsequent to the departure of long-time vice president of sales and marketing Erica Harrop. Jyll Castangia was hired to complete the West Coast sales team.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
May 2006Suppliers
MDNA has new president.
Thomas Mitchell was appointed president of MDNA, the U.S. subsidiary of Germany's Messe Düsseldorf. The company organizes the international trade shows. For details, visit mdna.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
April 2006Suppliers
Silvani is interim GM at Saxco-Demptos.
Rick Silvani, operations manager of California Glass Company, Oakland, Calif., was appointed interim general manager for Saxco-Demptos, Louisville, Ky. Both companies are subsidiaries of Saxco International.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
March 2006Suppliers
Vinpak hires warehouse manager.
Vinpak LLC, Napa Valley wine co-packing specialist, hired Glenn Coats as warehouse manager for its bonded, temperature-controlled facility. For information, contact vinpak.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
February 2006Suppliers
Foil cap for Saverglass Anassa bottle.
Saverglass, Inc., Napa wine bottle supplier, teamed with Ramondin Capsules S.A. to create a foil cap for the Anassa Burgundy bottle. Saverglass recently joined the Sonoma County Wineries Association (SCWA) as a corporate sponsor. For details, visit saverglass.com.READ MORE »News Briefs Suppliers
January 2006Suppliers
Gordon Graphics restructured management.
Derinda Lindstrom is now president and chairman of the board; Sterling Meyer is senior vice president/CEO and Greg Mackie is vice president/general manager. Gordon Lindstrom, founder of the Novato, Calif. design and print
specialist, retired in August. For more information visit gordongraphics.com.READ MORE »CURRENT COLUMN ARTICLES »
