News Briefs California
California
Chateau Montelena acquired by French
The Calistoga winery that triumphed in the legendary "Judgement of Paris" tasting in 1976 was sold by its founder James Barrett to Michel Reybier, owner of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, for an undisclosed amount. Barrett's son Bo, Chateau Montelena winemaker since 1982, will continue to consult for the new owners.
Sonoma commission honors Young family
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) presented its 2008 viticulture award of excellence to the Robert Young family of Alexander Valley, in recognition of its innovations and contributions to county viticulture.
Governor signs winery picnic bill
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation allowing consumption of wine in winery picnic areas. Co-authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and state Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and sponsored by the Wine Institute, AB 2004 was supported unanimously by the state legislature. "This bill is just common sense and will legalize what many people have been doing all along," Evans noted.
Chalk Hill appoints winemaking director
Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg, promoted Jordan Fiorentini to director of winemaking. Previously she had been associate winemaker, working with winemaker Steven Leveque, who was named head winemaker at Hall Winery (40,000 cases) in St. Helena.
Krug restores landmark structures
Charles Krug Winery, St. Helena, completed a two-year, $8 million restoration of two national historic landmark buildings on its property, the site of Napa Valley's first winery. On Sept. 27, family, friends and colleagues will unveil the 1872 Redwood Cellar and 1881 Carriage House, dedicated to Peter Mondavi Sr., 93. David Galzignato recently rejoined Krug as winemaker, a position he had held from 2003 to 2006.
Sustainable water management guide
Wine Institute, the American Vineyard Foundation and the National Grape & Wine Initiative partnered to publish the Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Management of Winery Water and Associated Energy. The document provides self-assessment tools to improve environmental performance and lower production costs. Workshops on using the guide will be offered by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and utility PG&E. For a PDF version, e-mail info@sustainablewinegrowing.org. Allison Jordan was named director of environmental affairs, a new WI department.
DeLuca joins Gallo
John DeLuca, longtime president and CEO of the Wine Institute (WI), has joined E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, as senior adviser to its board of directors. DeLuca joined WI in 1975 and is credited with helping to reshape the industry's course for the next 28 years. DeLuca continues to serve as executive vice chairman of WI, senior adviser to the president of the University of California for agriculture and business, as a trustee for the California Teachers Association's Institute for Teaching, and on the advisory board of the Shorenstein Center at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Tom Shelton dies at age 55
Thomas Howell Shelton, former president of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley, died of brain cancer July 26. Prior to joining Phelps in 1994, he had been a vice president at Franciscan Vineyards and Guenoc. He was on the board of directors of Napa Valley Vintners, serving as president in 1999, and was active in efforts to reform interstate shipping laws. A public celebration of his life will take place Oct. 11. Details will be posted online at sheltonplace.com.
Bob Kunde dies at age 80
Arthur "Bob" Kunde, founder of Kunde Estate & Winery in Sonoma Valley's Kenwood, passed away July 18, following complications from surgery after a fall in his garden. Kunde and his late brother Fred started the winery in 1990 amid vineyards farmed by his family for more than a century.
The Calistoga winery that triumphed in the legendary "Judgement of Paris" tasting in 1976 was sold by its founder James Barrett to Michel Reybier, owner of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, for an undisclosed amount. Barrett's son Bo, Chateau Montelena winemaker since 1982, will continue to consult for the new owners.
Sonoma commission honors Young family
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) presented its 2008 viticulture award of excellence to the Robert Young family of Alexander Valley, in recognition of its innovations and contributions to county viticulture.
Governor signs winery picnic bill
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation allowing consumption of wine in winery picnic areas. Co-authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and state Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and sponsored by the Wine Institute, AB 2004 was supported unanimously by the state legislature. "This bill is just common sense and will legalize what many people have been doing all along," Evans noted.
Chalk Hill appoints winemaking director
Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg, promoted Jordan Fiorentini to director of winemaking. Previously she had been associate winemaker, working with winemaker Steven Leveque, who was named head winemaker at Hall Winery (40,000 cases) in St. Helena.
Krug restores landmark structures
Charles Krug Winery, St. Helena, completed a two-year, $8 million restoration of two national historic landmark buildings on its property, the site of Napa Valley's first winery. On Sept. 27, family, friends and colleagues will unveil the 1872 Redwood Cellar and 1881 Carriage House, dedicated to Peter Mondavi Sr., 93. David Galzignato recently rejoined Krug as winemaker, a position he had held from 2003 to 2006.
Sustainable water management guide
Wine Institute, the American Vineyard Foundation and the National Grape & Wine Initiative partnered to publish the Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Management of Winery Water and Associated Energy. The document provides self-assessment tools to improve environmental performance and lower production costs. Workshops on using the guide will be offered by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and utility PG&E. For a PDF version, e-mail info@sustainablewinegrowing.org. Allison Jordan was named director of environmental affairs, a new WI department.
DeLuca joins Gallo
John DeLuca, longtime president and CEO of the Wine Institute (WI), has joined E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, as senior adviser to its board of directors. DeLuca joined WI in 1975 and is credited with helping to reshape the industry's course for the next 28 years. DeLuca continues to serve as executive vice chairman of WI, senior adviser to the president of the University of California for agriculture and business, as a trustee for the California Teachers Association's Institute for Teaching, and on the advisory board of the Shorenstein Center at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Tom Shelton dies at age 55
Thomas Howell Shelton, former president of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley, died of brain cancer July 26. Prior to joining Phelps in 1994, he had been a vice president at Franciscan Vineyards and Guenoc. He was on the board of directors of Napa Valley Vintners, serving as president in 1999, and was active in efforts to reform interstate shipping laws. A public celebration of his life will take place Oct. 11. Details will be posted online at sheltonplace.com.
Bob Kunde dies at age 80
Arthur "Bob" Kunde, founder of Kunde Estate & Winery in Sonoma Valley's Kenwood, passed away July 18, following complications from surgery after a fall in his garden. Kunde and his late brother Fred started the winery in 1990 amid vineyards farmed by his family for more than a century.
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